How to use DFR Command

Skydio DFR Command is a suite of software designed to manage every aspect of a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program. It integrates various components—drones, Docks, dispatch systems, and evidence management—into a cohesive system that streamlines emergency response operations.

Rapid Deployment - Seamless integration with Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems and real-time crime center software enables drones to be airborne within 20 seconds of a call for service

Remote Operations - Operators can manage missions from any location, whether it's a command center or a mobile data terminal, ensuring flexibility and continuous oversight

Autonomous Responses - Skydio can autonomously navigate to incident scenes, maintaining connectivity and avoiding obstacles without manual input

Integrated Evidence Management - Captured video and images are automatically tagged with metadata and can be uploaded to evidence management systems, such as Axon Evidence, ensuring a clear chain of custody

Using the Dispatch Map

The Dispatch Map is a core component of DFR Command, providing a real-time, interactive map that displays all active incidents, drone locations, and personnel equipped with devices such as body-worn cameras.

Incident Visualization - View and manage all active Incidents, Custom Markers, and drone statuses in a single, consolidated map view

Resource Allocation - Quickly assess which drone is best positioned to respond to an incident based on proximity and battery life, without needing to enter Remote Flight Deck (RFD)

Integrated Response - Dispatch View can be integrated with Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems via the Markers API, allowing dispatchers to see and respond to live 911 incident data

Augmented Reality Overlays - Utilize AR overlays to display street names and addresses directly on the flight screen, aiding in rapid orientation and tactical decision-making

Seamless Transition to Flight Operations - Once a drone is selected for a response, operators can transition into RFD to oversee the mission, with the drone autonomously navigating to the incident location

While in Dispatch, you have the ability to:

• Search for an address
• Search for an incident based on area and/or event time
• Create Custom Markers
• Locate a body camera and respond to those markers as well

Use the map to annotate points of interest or actively fly to a location:

• Fly Here is used when directing the drone to a specific point; only appears when you right-click on the map, and will always fly the drone right to that location
• Respond Here is used when navigating to a marker; the drone will use the Standoff Distance set by the Remote Pilot, as well as the option to Look at the Marker while responding (if a Standoff Distance is not set, the drone will fly directly to the marker)

Use the menu tabs to view incidents and devices:

• Incidents - Lists all custom markers and reported incidents via the integrated CAD system. Select an incident to view more details and optionally respond.
• Drones - Lists all available drones
• Personnel - Lists active devices including body cameras and vehicles (e.g. Axon body cameras via Axon integration). Select a device in this tab or on the map to locate it and optionally respond. Only visible if you have an integration in place.

Incidents

Drones

Personnel

Incident Markers

Incident Markers are visual indicators on the Dispatch Map that represent active or past incidents. Each marker displays essential details such as:

• Status - Open, Drone Responding, or Closed
• Timestamp - Time of the initial report
• Location - Address and GPS coordinates (primary)

[note] Each address is automatically generated from the GPS coordinates to help you identify the location more easily. While the coordinates are the primary source of location data, the address is provided to make incidents easier to identify on the map. [/note]

These markers can be automatically generated through integration with Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems, or manually created by operators directly within the Dispatch View.

• Incident Markers serve as the central hub for launching, monitoring, and closing out drone responses
• When a drone is dispatched to an incident, the marker links directly to the flight, helping agencies streamline operations and maintain a clear record of each response

Once an incident is selected, operators can assess available drones based on proximity and battery life, allowing them to deploy the best drone to the incident location.

• After a drone is selected, you will transition into Remote Flight Deck for live mission management

Custom Markers

Custom Markers allow operators to annotate the map with specific points of interest or operational relevance. These markers can be manually placed anywhere on the map to denote areas requiring attention, or linked to Axon devices (e.g., body-worn cameras, fleet vehicles), enabling rapid drone deployment to personnel locations.

• Operators can direct drones to these markers without needing to enter Remote Flight Deck, streamlining the response process

When placed, Custom Markers can appear as colored pillars in the drone's live stream when the AR marker setting is enabled. These AR pillars help provide clear visual cues for navigation and situational awareness.

[accordion heading="How to enter Dispatch View"]

Step 1 - Log into DFR Command

Navigate to cloud.skydio.com and login.

Step 2 - Select Dispatch

Located in the left sidebar.

Step 3 - Enter Dispatch View and analyze incidents

From here, you will see a map view that displays all active markers, drones, and Axon devices. Use the left sidebar to select an incident, view more details, and respond.

While in Dispatch View, you have the ability to search for an address and create custom markers, or locate a body camera and respond to those markers as well.

[note] Axon Body cameras that are buffering will update their location every 15 minutes in the Dispatch Map Personnel Tab. [/note]

Step 4 - Select Respond to Incident

Step 5 - Select which drone responds

A list of available drones will appear, allowing you to quickly compare them based on the distance to the incident and battery level.

After selecting the drone, you will transition into Remote Flight Deck and automatically begin flying to the incident location.

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Responding to an Incident"]

Responding to an Incident

Step 1 - Select Dispatch

Located in the left sidebar.

Step 2 - Select an Incident

Key incident details will display:

• Status
• Event time
• Updated time
• Creator
• Address
• Coordinates

Use this menu to edit, update the status, respond, or delete the incident.

Step 3 - Select a drone for response

A list of available drones will appear, allowing you to quickly compare them based on the distance to the incident and battery level.

There are two ways to respond to an incident:

• Select Respond Here
• Set the status to Drone Responding using the drop-down menu

Both of these options will provide you with a list of drones that are available to respond.

Select a drone to view:

• Its distance from the scene
• Estimated arrival time

Step 4 - Launch

After selecting the drone, you will transition into Remote Flight Deck.

Select Launch.

After launching, the drone will automatically fly to the incident location.

• Configure a Standoff Distance or enable Look at Marker within Settings > Autonomous Flight

Step 5 - Close the Incident

When an Incident completes, use the drop-down menu to update the status.

Closing an incident will remove it from the list of active or open Incidents.

   

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Creating an Incident"]

[note] Manually created incidents will not appear in CAD systems or digital evidence management tools. [/note]

You have the ability to manually create incidents directly within DFR Command, giving your teams greater flexibility when launching drones outside of a CAD-dispatched 911 call. This is especially useful:

• For departments without a CAD integration
• When proactively deploying drones based on visual intel or field observations

For example, a pilot spots suspicious activity on a live camera feed and launches a drone to investigate. Since the situation wasn’t dispatched via CAD, the pilot manually creates an incident to associate the flight with a specific event and location.

• Use manual incident creation to maintain a complete and auditable record of drone flights, even in multi-drone responses

Step 1 - Select Dispatch

Step 2 - Right click on the map

Step 3 - Select Create Incident

Step 4 - Enter Incident details

Required details include an Incident Name and location. Add optional additional details such as:

• Area
• Incident ID
• Notes/details

Step 5 - Create the Incident

There are two options when finalizing a manually created incident:

• Create - adds the visual Incident icon to the list and map view
• Create and Respond - adds the visual Incident icon to the list and map view, and automatically shows which drones are available for response

Step 6 - Select a drone and respond

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Creating a Custom Marker"]

Mark specific coordinates or points on a map, then quickly and easily navigate to those points using a Custom Marker.

• The destination is shown with a colored AR pillar on the flight screen
• Map Markers are listed on the left sidebar

Step 1 - Right click on the map

Step 2 - Select Create Custom Marker

Adds a visual icon on the map, as well as a new category in the left sidebar.

• Custom Markers are listed in a separate category than Incident Markers

Step 3 - Add details (optional)

Select the marker to open the detailed view, and optionally select Edit to add further details.

• Rename the marker
• Add notes/details

Step 4 - Respond

Once a marker is created, select Respond Here and you will see a list of available drones.

After selecting a drone for response, it will automatically navigate to the marker’s location.

[/accordion]

 

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