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Previewing the DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Summit at Commercial UAV Expo 2025
On-demand Webinar | Free
Join us for an exclusive pre-event webinar offering a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming two-day DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Summit, taking place this September 2025 at the Commercial UAV Expo. This session will spotlight the critical themes and speakers shaping the nation's leading public safety UAS forum.
Discover how agencies are operationalizing Drone as a First Responder (DFR) programs, advancing Counter-UAS and Airspace Awareness, and integrating UAS into firefighting, search and rescue, and disaster response missions. Learn from frontline experts on how to build and scale a public safety UAS program, including strategies for training and certifying public safety remote pilots, developing diversified, multi-mission fleet capability, and leveraging emerging technologies for real-time situational awareness.
Whether you're launching a new UAS program or scaling an existing one, this webinar will provide a critical preview of the tools, tactics, and innovations that will define the future of public safety aviation.
Speakers
Jason Day, Director of Education & Training, DRONERESPONDERS
Jason Day is the Director of Unmanned Aircraft at the Texas Department of Public Safety, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his 27-year tenure military, civilian, and public safety aviation. Widely recognized as a subject matter expert in the UAS community, Jason specializes in public safety UAS operations and administration.
In his role as Director, Jason oversees the largest public safety UAS program in the nation with over 370 remote pilots and unmanned aircraft. His primary responsibilities include ensuring compliance with FAA regulations, developing training standards and maintaining the highest levels of safety. Texas DPS stands out as the most active UAS program in the United States conducting 50,000 flights in 2024 and a remarkable 13,000 flight hours.
Operating within the Aircraft Operations Division of Texas DPS, Jason has actively participated in high-profile UAS missions, including disaster response, tactical operations, overwatch missions, and border operations. Recognized for his expertise in joint manned/unmanned aircraft operations, Jason holds a crucial seat in the Texas Air Operations Center, coordinating UAS operations during declared disasters in the state.
Christopher Todd, Executive Director, AIRT
Mr. Todd is a seasoned business executive with over 30 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, major sporting leagues, and start-up businesses on emerging technologies and related marketing strategies. He is an innovator, entrepreneur, and technologist who has been quoted in major media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Financial Times, Entrepreneur, and more. He oversees corporate strategy, strategic partnerships, and business operations for Airborne Response, and has led the company from its inception through its acquisition by Safe Pro Group Inc.
Additionally, Mr. Todd serves as the Executive Director of AIRT (Airborne International Response Team), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supporting the use of uncrewed and autonomous technology for public safety, security, and emergency operations. AIRT is the official home of the DRONERESPONDERS program, supporting over 8,000 public safety and emergency services organizations representing more than 75 countries around the globe. He also serves as the Chapter President for AUVSI Florida, as an advisory board member for Commercial UAV Expo, as a command staff member of the Southeast Florida All-Hazards Incident Management Team, and as a member of InfraGard, the public-private partnership between the FBI and U.S. industry.
Mr. Todd holds several certifications, including the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Certified Emergency Manager (CEM®), FAA-certified Part 107 Remote Pilot, and U.S. Coast Guard License Master for vessels up to 100 gross tons. He earned an Executive Master of Professional Studies in Emergency and Disaster Management from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Drake University. He also holds an Infrastructure Protection certificate from Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and has also completed graduate work on crisis communications and integrated marketing communications at Northwestern University’s Medill School.
Aaron Fritch, Captain, UAS Operations, Texas Department of Public Safety
Captain Aaron Fritch has more than 19 years of law enforcement experience within the Texas Department of Public Safety. His first 17 years were spent with the Texas Highway Patrol where he specialized in collision reconstruction. This is where he first became introduced to UAS, where in 2013 he began testing the use of the technology for crash scene mapping.
In 2017, he was a member of the working group for TXDPS that developed the department’s UAS program, which has grown to one of the largest public safety programs in the country. The UAS program conducts a variety of missions to include search and rescue, collision/crime scene mapping, border security, disaster response and tactical exterior and interior operations, and averages approximately 1000 drone flights a week across the state of Texas.
In 2022, Aaron promoted to the position of Captain, overseeing UAS operations for the roughly 320 remote pilots and 360 unmanned aircraft. He has completed the APSA Basic and Advanced NIST proctor courses, is a Part 107 Remote Pilot and is a lead instructor in the department’s UAS training program. He has served on multiple working groups relating to cUAS issues and has taught many UAS courses across the United States and overseas.
Moderator
Scott Howe, Editorial Analyst, Commercial UAV News
Scott Howe is the Editorial Analyst for Commercial UAV News. He is a writer and editor with more than 35 years of experience working in fields such as higher education, healthcare, finance, and insurance. A native of Massachusetts, he currently lives in Portland, Maine.
