Drones as First Responders Expand in North Carolina

Durham, Fayetteville and Forsyth County are using drones to respond to emergency calls faster, according to new research.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Emergency Response

Drones as First Responders Expand in North Carolina

Live Poll

Would you support your local police using drones to respond to 911 calls?

Drones as First Responders programs are being implemented by two agencies in the WRAL viewing area, with Durham and Fayetteville police departments approving the program this year. Early research found specialized drones arrived at 911 calls about two minutes faster than typical patrol response.

Why it matters

Agencies view DFR programs as one way to address a policing staffing problem, as officer resignations and retirements increased from 2019 through 2024, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The Raleigh Police Department is gathering information about the technology as North Carolina agencies weigh its use.

A five-month study of Montgomery County, Maryland and Philadelphia police found specialized drones arrived about two minutes faster than a typical call. Drones resolved 127 Montgomery County calls alone, about 20% of calls they responded to, while Philadelphia resolved 72% without a patrol response.

The players

Durham Police Department

The municipal police agency serving Durham, North Carolina, which approved the Drones as First Responders program this year.

Fayetteville Police Department

The municipal police agency serving Fayetteville, North Carolina, which approved the Drones as First Responders program this year.

Raleigh Police Department

The municipal police agency serving Raleigh, North Carolina, which is gathering information about drone technology for emergency response.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency for Forsyth County, North Carolina, which already uses the Drones as First Responders program.

U.S. Government Accountability Office

The independent watchdog agency of the U.S. Congress that reported rising officer resignations and retirements from 2019 through 2024.

The details

Drones as First Responders programs can be deployed remotely and respond to calls within a one-to-two-mile radius. Durham and Fayetteville police departments approved the program this year, and the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office already uses it. Specialized drones helped most with Priority 2 calls in the research.

2019 through 2024: Officer resignations and retirements increased, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
This year (2026): Durham and Fayetteville police departments approved DFR programs.
Five-month study period: Researchers studied Montgomery County and Philadelphia police departments.

Seasonal Patterns

Officer resignations and retirements rose between 2019 and 2024, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the staffing trend that agencies now cite as a reason to adopt drones. The North Carolina programs follow that pattern as departments seek ways to respond to calls without adding officers.

Residents in Durham, Fayetteville and Forsyth County may see drones dispatched to 911 calls within a one-to-two-mile radius of the responding agency. Anyone seeking details on how their local department uses the program should contact that agency directly.

The takeaway

Drones are emerging as a way for North Carolina police departments to answer calls faster while staffing remains short. Residents can expect the research on response times and use of force to shape how these programs evolve.