The non-profit group AIRT, known for its DRONERESPONDERS initiative supporting drone use in public safety, has announced a new nationwide training program aimed at improving the management and sustainability of UAS programs within emergency services.
The initiative, titled UNITE (UAS National Initiative for Training and Education), was launched in response to findings from AIRT’s 2025 Government and Public Safety Sector Survey, which gathered input from nearly 900 participants.
The survey revealed widespread concerns over training limitations, staffing challenges and a lack of long-term planning among public safety UAS programs.
A key issue highlighted in the survey is that 91 percent of public safety drone pilots hold collateral responsibilities, meaning drone operations are not their primary role. This dual-duty structure has created operational stress and raised concerns about program sustainability.
Other findings include:
- Only 26 percent of agencies are satisfied with their ability to train remote pilots internally.
- Just 18 percent expressed strong satisfaction with access to external training providers.
- A mere 31 percent of agencies have implemented formal succession plans for drone operators.
- More than 76 percent said their agency would benefit from additional training focused on UAS program management.
To address these gaps, UNITE will offer three structured learning paths:
- Online Training – Starting with a “UAS Leadership Series” focused on developing management skills for current and future program leaders.
- Regional Workshops – Hands-on, multi-agency training events across the U.S.
- Custom Training – Tailored courses to meet the specific needs of individual agencies.
The program will be led by Jason Day, appointed as DRONERESPONDERS’ Deputy Director for Training. Day previously led the Texas Department of Public Safety’s UAS program, one of the largest in the country.
While DRONERESPONDERS promotes the program as a much-needed solution, its broader impact will depend on adoption across diverse agencies with varying resources and needs. UNITE is expected to roll out its first online modules later this year.
RELATED CONTENT: AIRT announces DRONERESPONDERS Texas Public Safety Coordination Group
Post Image Credit: Kenny Eliason via Unsplash
Follow C-UAS Hub on LinkedIn for regular counter-UAS content updates.
