Commercial UAV Expo Debuts DRONERESPONDERS Program Management Course and Unveils Public Safety Summit Program

Commercial UAV Expo has announced the launch of a new two-day DRONERESPONDERS Program Management Course and the full session agenda for its 2026 Public Safety Summit in Las Vegas. These programs aim to provide public safety agencies with standardized training and strategic insights for scaling unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations across law enforcement, fire, and emergency services. The initiative is particularly significant for the public safety technology sector as it addresses the growing need for professionalized program management and coordinated airspace security during major national events.

The newly introduced DRONERESPONDERS Program Management Course, produced by the Airborne International Response Team (AIRT), offers a structured two-day curriculum for government professionals tasked with leading UAS initiatives. The first day establishes operational foundations, covering standard operating procedures, regulatory compliance, and safety management systems. The second day transitions to strategic growth, focusing on interagency collaboration, data-driven tools, and the integration of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Jason Day, Deputy Director of DRONERESPONDERS, noted that the course provides a necessary playbook for program managers to move beyond initial implementation toward full operational maturity.

The 2026 Public Safety Summit features a heavy emphasis on counter-UAS (cUAS) strategies, drawing directly from real-world data collected during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Since the tournament began on June 11, federal agencies have detected over 1,000 drones near venues and the FBI has seized more than 600 unauthorized aircraft across 11 host cities. A dedicated two-part session will bring together operators who managed these security efforts to share lessons that will inform preparations for future major events, including the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Event Director Adrianne Madden highlighted that the World Cup has served as a critical stress test for public safety airspace management in the United States.

Beyond security, the summit addresses the scaling of Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs, featuring discussions on beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations and AI-enabled workflows. Specialized sessions will include leaders from the FDNY, CAL FIRE, and the Texas Department of Transportation, focusing on diverse applications such as wildland firefighting, hazmat response, and bridge inspections. Furthermore, the program will tackle the complex issue of shared airspace, featuring industry representatives from Zipline, Wing, and DroneSense to discuss right-of-way protocols between commercial logistics and emergency UAS operations. These sessions underscore the sector's shift toward integrated, multi-agency technology standards to ensure safe and efficient aerial response.