The DRONERESPONDERS Program, part of AIRT, announced the launch of a new national public safety UAS training program. Called “UNITE” (UAS National Initiative for Public Safety Training and Education), the program is “designed to build leadership capacity and institutional resilience within public safety drone operations.”

In a statement, AIRT said “the program will equip UAS program managers with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to ensure the continuity, compliance, and community impact of drone missions in the evolving landscape of public safety.”

UNITE will offer three learning pathways:

  1. Online: Designed for current and aspiring public safety UAS Program Managers, this immersive online training series delivers a progressive learning experience. 
  2. Regional Events and Workshops: Designed to elevate practical skills at multi-agency training days, hosted throughout the nation.
  3. Custom Training: Enhanced UAS training modules and curriculum to address unique challenges and specialized needs of operators and program managers.

UNITE was created in response to findings from AIRT’s 2025 Government and Public Safety Sector Survey, which revealed a “critical need for enhanced training and leadership development among agencies operating UAS in the public interest.” More than 76% of survey respondents said “their agency would benefit from additional training focused specifically on UAS program administration and management.”

Jason Day, who built the largest public safety UAS program in the U.S. for the Texas Department of Public Safety, will serve as the DRONERESPONDERS Deputy Director, Training, and lead the UNITE program. 

DRONERESPONDERS will host a live webinar on Thursday, August 7 at 2:00 pm Eastern to present further details surrounding the 2025 Government and Public Safety UAS Sector Survey and the UNITE project.  Registration at http://www.unite.droneresponders.org  

For additional information about UNITE, to register for a class, or to explore becoming an instructor, visit http://www.droneresponders.org/training.

Source: Press Release