AIRT, a non-profit organization focused on advancing drone and advanced air mobility applications, has announced the formation of the DRONERESPONDERS Texas Public Safety Coordination Group (TEXGRU). The state-wide initiative aims to provide education, training, knowledge sharing and emergency coordination among public safety UAS operators in Texas.
TEXGRU is an evolution of the Texas Public Safety UAS Working Group, which was established by first responders several years ago. Membership is open to qualified public safety personnel from law enforcement, fire services, emergency management, transportation and other government sectors, as well as professionals in critical infrastructure operations, aviation and non-governmental organizations.
“The implementation of TEXGRU represents a new chapter for the public safety unmanned aviation sector across Texas,” said Jason Day, Director of UAS for the Texas Department of Public Safety and Co-Director of TEXGRU. “Our goal is to ensure training standards, expand stakeholder coordination, and bolster capacity for how we respond to critical incidents, emergencies and potential catastrophes across the state.”
TEXGRU’s activities will include monthly coordination calls, regional training workshops, an annual conference in the Austin area and specialized support for pre-planned events and emergency incidents.
Advocacy and industry support for TEXGRU will be provided by the AUVSI Lone Star Chapter, the Texas branch of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), under a Memorandum of Understanding with AIRT.
“The TEXGRU mission is essential towards advancing the use of autonomous vehicle systems for public safety and emergencies,” said Adrian Doko, President of AUVSI Lone Star. “We wholeheartedly advocate for the expanded use of UAS by Texas public safety agencies and look forward to supporting this endeavor.”
TEXGRU was announced at the DRONERESPONDERS National Public Safety UAS Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is the second state-level coordination group launched by AIRT, following the 2021 creation of the DRONERESPONDERS Florida Public Safety Coordination Group (FLOGRU). FLOGRU has since grown to more than 650 members representing over 150 government agencies and related organizations. AIRT anticipates a similar trajectory for TEXGRU.
“We are extremely excited about expanding the DRONERESPONDERS Coordination Group model to Texas,” said Christopher Todd, Executive Director of AIRT. “Jason and the Texas team have already established an extremely solid working group foundation. Our mission is to now formalize, expand and connect TEXGRU with the DRONERESPONDERS network of global public safety and emergency services professionals using UAS and associated technology to help improve outcomes for incidents and emergencies.”
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Post Image: Christopher Todd, Jason Day, and Charles Werner (left to right) announce TEXGRU at the 2025 DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety UAS National Conference
