Grant Program for Drone Funding Available to Public Safety Agencies

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By Tammy Leytham

As drones become increasingly integral to law enforcement operations, public safety agencies are leveraging these advanced tools for a variety of mission-critical tasks. According to police1.com, today's drones feature enhanced performance, extended range, and longer flight times. Their uses in public safety operations include:

• Crash reconstruction

• Pre-tactical reconnaissance

• Overseeing SWAT operations

• Locating suspects during hostage situations

• Providing situational awareness

• Serving as first responders

• Conducting air-to-ground surveillance with thermal imaging

Recognizing the growing need for sophisticated drone technology in public safety, federal and many state governments offer grant funding to support agencies in starting or expanding their drone programs.

Teledyne FLIR, known for its imaging technology, is collaborating with PoliceGrantsHelp.com to facilitate public safety grants specifically for drone programs. Teledyne FLIR will pair its SIRAS professional drone with a team of seasoned grant consultants to guide qualified police agencies through the grant application process, according to policegrantshelp.com. Teledyne FLIR's SIRAS is described as an "affordable, easy-to-fly" drone with a 31-minute flight time, making it ideal for a wide range of law enforcement applications.

This collaboration enables law enforcement departments to secure funding beyond average operational budgets, "bridging the gap between tight resources and organizational needs," according to a police1 press release.

The range of services to strengthen grant applications includes: 

• Access to the Grant Finder Portal, offering comprehensive search tools for grant opportunities,

• Tailored research to meet specific funding needs of departments,

• Personalized one-on-one consultation with grant experts, and

• Discounted end-to-end grant writing assistance.

PoliceGrantsHelp.com enhances this support with additional resources like grant research, grant alert notifications, and application reviews from a team of experts.

With over 1,400 police departments in the U.S. already utilizing drones and many more expected to join, the need for financial support in this high-tech endeavor is significant. A 2023 report by the American Civil Liberties Union predicts an "explosion" in the adoption of drone programs, estimating increases of five to six departments per week.

In any setting, whether rural or urban, large or small, the assistance provided by Teledyne FLIR and PoliceGrantsHelp.com can make a crucial difference in a department's ability to secure grant funding, bridging the gap between limited budgets and increasing operational demands. Grant writing support can prove invaluable, as securing funding in this competitive arena requires careful planning and research.