Firehawk UAS – Drone as First Responder

Bexar County Emergency Services District No. 2 is expanding the Firehawk UAS Program with Drone as First Responder (DFR) technology. Beginning in late 2026, automated drone docking stations will be installed at all five of our fire stations — providing live aerial coverage the moment a 911 call is received, before any ground unit arrives on scene.

Community Notice: This page is provided to help residents and businesses understand how DFR works, what it means for emergency response in our district, and how we protect your privacy. Questions are welcome — contact information is in the sidebar.

What Is a Drone as First Responder?

A Drone as First Responder (DFR) is an automated drone that launches from a fixed docking station at a fire station the moment a 911 call is dispatched. It flies directly to the incident address and begins streaming live high-definition and thermal video to our incident commanders and the Firehawk Real-Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) — before any fire engine or ambulance arrives.

This technology does not replace our firefighters or paramedics. It gives them better information, faster — so they can make smarter decisions, protect their own safety, and provide more effective help to the people who need it.

Why it matters: In fire suppression and rescue, seconds count. A live aerial view before arrival means commanders can pre-assign tasks, spot hazards, locate victims in smoke or darkness, and direct resources more effectively — all before the first truck reaches the scene.

How It Works

911 Call Received

Dispatch receives and confirms the call. The incident type and address are verified.

Automatic Launch

The nearest DFR dock is assigned alongside ground units. The drone lifts off automatically within 10 seconds — no pilot needs to be on site.

Live Video On Scene

The drone arrives and streams live HD and thermal video to the Firehawk RTIC and responding crews in real time.

Better, Safer Response

Commanders arrive informed. Hazards are identified. Resources are pre-assigned before personnel enter the scene.

Firehawk UAS Fleet

The Firehawk UAS Program operates two types of resources: dock-based DFR units that launch automatically from each station, and staffed mobile units with certified pilots who deploy to complex or extended incidents requiring an on-scene crew.

DFR Dock Units — DFR121 through DFR125

Each fire station will receive one DJI Dock 3 docking station paired with a DJI Matrice 4TD drone. These units respond automatically the moment a qualifying call is dispatched, providing immediate aerial situational awareness without requiring a pilot to travel to the scene.

Mobile Response Units — UAV121 and UAV124

For sustained incidents, complex operations, or situations requiring close coordination between pilots and ground crews — such as large wildland fires, technical rescue, extended search operations, or law enforcement support — our mobile units deploy with FAA-certified pilots on scene. Mobile units carry their own aircraft and can support multi-aircraft operations, extended overwatch, and advanced mission types that benefit from an experienced pilot's judgment in the field.

UAV124 is the primary mobile response unit and is staffed as a standing asset. UAV121 is typically brought online during upstaffing events — such as red flag weather days, high fire danger conditions, or other situations requiring a second aerial response unit.

Callsign	Type	Station	Address	System	Status
DFR121	DFR Dock	Station 121	2096 Talley Road, San Antonio 78253	DJI Dock 3 / M4TD	Planned — Late 2026
DFR122	DFR Dock	Station 122	7045 Old Talley Road, San Antonio 78253	DJI Dock 3 / M4TD	Planned — Late 2026
DFR123	DFR Dock	Station 123	10694 Marbach Road, San Antonio 78245	DJI Dock 3 / M4TD	Planned — Late 2026
DFR124	DFR Dock	Station 124	14515 Omicron Drive, San Antonio 78245	DJI Dock 3 / M4TD	Planned — Early 2027
DFR125	DFR Dock	Station 125	5919 Roft Road, San Antonio 78253	DJI Dock 3 / M4TD	Planned — Early 2027
UAV121	Mobile Unit	Station 121	2096 Talley Road, San Antonio 78253	Mobile aircraft + pilot crew	Active
UAV124	Mobile Unit	Station 124	14515 Omicron Drive, San Antonio 78245	Mobile aircraft + pilot crew	Active

Equipment — DJI Dock 3 & Matrice 4TD

Each DFR station will use the DJI Dock 3 paired with the DJI Matrice 4TD (M4TD) — an enterprise system designed specifically for public safety and 24/7 autonomous deployment. The M4TD is the thermal-capable variant of the Matrice 4 series, built to work exclusively with Dock 3 for automated operations.

DJI Dock 3 with Matrice 4TD drone launching — **DJI Dock 3** — the dock opens automatically and the M4TD launches within 10 seconds of dispatch.

DJI Matrice 4TD seated in DJI Dock 3 — **DJI Matrice 4TD** — seated in the Dock 3, ready for autonomous deployment with thermal and optical cameras.

Images: DJI Dock 3 with Matrice 4TD. Additional photos of installed equipment can be added as they become available.

DJI Dock 3 Automated Docking Station

Takeoff time10 seconds

Weather ratingIP56

Operating temp.−30°C to 50°C

Wind toleranceUp to 12 m/s

PositioningD-RTK 3 external module

Mount optionsFixed or vehicle-mounted

DJI Matrice 4TD (M4TD) Thermal Drone — Dock 3 Compatible

Max flight time54 minutes

Weather ratingIP55

Thermal camera640×512, f/1.0

Optical camera48 MP, 1/1.5" CMOS

TransmissionDJI O4+ Enterprise

Max range25 km (FCC)

The M4TD's integrated thermal imaging allows our crews to detect fire spread through smoke, locate victims in low-visibility conditions, and conduct search operations in complete darkness — capabilities that directly improve outcomes for our community.

Privacy & Legal Compliance

We want our community to understand exactly how and when these systems are used. The Firehawk UAS Program operates under strict legal authority and is committed to the privacy of every resident in our district.

Privacy Protections

DFR drones respond to active 911 emergency incidents only — they are not used for neighborhood surveillance or routine patrol.
During the initial response from the dock, the aircraft's camera is fixed in a forward-flight position. As the drone transitions through the airspace to the incident, it is looking ahead along its flight path — not pointed downward at homes or yards below. The camera is directed at the scene only once the aircraft arrives on location.
All operations comply with Texas Government Code Chapter 423, which governs UAS use and privacy protections under Texas law.
Drones do not film private property without a legally recognized public safety purpose or proper legal authority.
All footage is stored securely and managed in accordance with Texas public records retention requirements.

Regulatory & Safety Standards

All Firehawk UAS pilots hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and complete structured department training and proficiency evaluations before operational deployment.
Automated DFR operations will be conducted under an FAA Certificate of Authorization (COA) — no autonomous flights will occur until proper authorization is in place.
A certified Remote Pilot in Command monitors every DFR flight and retains full authority to modify or terminate any operation at any time.
All aircraft immediately yield right of way to manned aircraft.
All incidents and abnormal events are reported through FAA and department reporting channels.

Public Transparency Dashboard

Bexar County ESD No. 2 currently offers a public-facing transparency dashboard through DroneSense, our drone operations platform. Residents can access it right now to view flight information from our active mobile response units — UAV121 and UAV124. The dashboard shows where an aircraft launched from, its flight path to and from an incident, flight duration, and the general purpose of the mission.

Once the DFR docking stations come online at all five stations, that same portal will automatically include all UAS flight data — giving residents a single place to view the full picture of Firehawk UAS operations across the entire district.

How the dashboard protects sensitive information:

Flight data is not displayed in real time. Information is published on a delay to protect ongoing operations, responder safety, and sensitive details about active incidents.
Video footage is not openly provided on the dashboard. The portal shows flight paths and mission summaries — not live or recorded video.
If a resident wishes to obtain video from a specific incident, they may submit an appropriate public records request, which will be reviewed in accordance with Texas public information law.

View our public flight dashboard here:

Frequently Asked Questions

No. DFR drones are dispatched only in response to active 911 calls. They fly directly to the incident address and return to their dock when the mission is complete. They are not used for patrol, monitoring, or surveillance of any kind.

During the flight to an incident, the camera is fixed in a forward-flight position — it looks ahead along the drone's flight path, not downward at the homes and yards it passes over. The camera is directed at the scene only once the aircraft arrives on location. Firehawk UAS does not surveil private property without a legally recognized public safety purpose, and all operations comply with Texas Government Code Chapter 423.

The DFR docks (DFR121–DFR125) are fixed, automated systems at each station that launch without a pilot on site and provide the immediate first aerial view of an incident. The mobile units (UAV121 and UAV124) are staffed response vehicles where trained pilots physically deploy to the scene. Mobile units are used for complex operations, sustained incidents requiring extended coverage, multi-aircraft coordination, or situations where a pilot's on-scene presence and judgment is essential.

Yes. DFR operations require an FAA Certificate of Authorization (COA) — a specific authorization issued to public safety agencies for operations beyond standard Part 107 rules. We are pursuing the required FAA authorization as part of our program development. No automated DFR flights will occur until that authorization is secured.

The DJI Dock 3 and M4TD have built-in failsafe systems. If communication is lost, the drone automatically executes a return-to-dock or controlled landing procedure. A Remote Pilot in Command monitors every mission and can terminate operations at any time. All abnormal events are documented and reported per FAA requirements.

We anticipate beginning dock installations in late 2026, with all five stations targeted for completion in early 2027. Activation at each station depends on FAA authorization, equipment procurement, and site preparation. We will update this page and our social media channels as milestones are reached.

Yes — and it's available right now. Our public transparency dashboard through DroneSense currently shows flight information from our active mobile units UAV121 and UAV124, including launch location, flight path, duration, and mission type. Once the DFR docking stations come online, all UAS flight data will appear in that same portal. Information is published on a delay rather than in real time to protect responder safety and sensitive incident details. Video footage is not posted to the dashboard. Visit the Firehawk UAS Public Dashboard to view current flight data.

Video is not openly published on our public dashboard. If you believe you need video from a particular incident, you may submit a public records request, which will be reviewed and handled in accordance with Texas public information law.

The Firehawk UAS Program actively pursues federal and state grant funding to support equipment and program costs. DFR technology is an investment in faster, more effective emergency response — with the potential to reduce property loss, improve outcomes for our community, and keep our firefighters safer by giving them critical information before entering hazardous scenes.