Flock Safety Taps Drone Expert McBride to Lead DFR Innovation

Flock Safety has reinforced its public safety drone initiative by bringing aboard Jon McBride, former co-founder of commercial drone company RMUS and a notable figure in Drone Technology development. The announcement, shared by Brett Kanda on February 7, 2025, comes as the company expands its Drone as First Responder (DFR) program following a groundbreaking FAA waiver.

The company recently marked a significant regulatory milestone when its partner, Elk Grove PD, secured FAA approval to operate the Flock Aerodome DFR system at 400 feet across their entire jurisdiction, doubling the previous standard operating height of 200 feet. This enhanced altitude clearance represents a new benchmark for DFR operations in emergency response.

“I’ve always been passionate about using technology to help people,” said McBride. “Flock Safety represents a natural progression in my career. It’s about providing tools that empower communities to prevent, deter, and solve crimes safely with the best technology. Their mission to create a safer world through data and AI is exactly the kind of challenge I’ve been looking for.”

McBride Brings Drone Expertise To Flock

McBride brings substantial expertise in drone technology and training. At RMUS, he helped establish the company as a leading provider of commercial drone solutions across multiple sectors. His subsequent work at Autel Robotics included creating the ARTC (Autel Robotics Training Center), a comprehensive learning management system focused on drone Education, and developing training programs for the Dragonfish vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

“Jon and I have known each other for about eight years and have had the opportunity to work together, but always at different companies,” said Brett Kanda, Director of DFR Sales at Flock Safety. “I couldn’t be happier to partner under the same Flock Aerodome umbrella and get DFR into the hands of agencies around the country.”

McBride will join the Aerodome team to refine and expand the DFR program, integrating his experience in drone systems, software, and real-time data processing. “I see drones playing a huge role in this next phase for Flock,” McBride stated. “Integrating aerial sensors with ground-level data from Flock’s smart cameras opens up incredible possibilities for crime prevention and community safety.”

The addition of McBride aligns with Flock Safety’s mission to eliminate crime through technology, combining their existing smart device infrastructure with enhanced aerial capabilities. His expertise in drone operations and training will support the company’s efforts to advance their public safety technology platform.

Photos courtesy of Flock Safety and DroneXL