听has launched听a听drone听first-responder听program听to enhance emergency response and support the safety of the campus community.听
Installation and training听was听completed in April,听with听initial听operations and testing听conducted听during Commencement听week.听The drones鈥攁dvanced听Skydio听X10 systems鈥攍et听trained public safety personnel听see听active incidents听from the air in real time,听which helps听responders assess situations and coordinate resources more effectively.听They are not used for routine surveillance or continuous monitoring of campus听activity.听
鈥淭his is about giving our teams better information in critical moments,鈥� said Tommye Sutton,听chief of police and assistant vice chancellor for public safety. 鈥淲hen we can safely see what鈥檚 happening before officers arrive, we can make faster, more informed decisions that support both our community and our responders.鈥�听
The drones will be听dispatched听to specific calls for service and emergency听situations and听can be听deployed听anywhere on听campus within听30-80 seconds.听In some cases, they may听support safety operations during large-scale campus events, such as football games.听
Equipped with high-resolution cameras,听thermal imaging capabilities听and a parachute recovery system,听the drones can听assist听in a range of scenarios, including emergency response,听searches听听and听situational assessment听in听rapidly evolving听events. Similar programs across the country听have听听improved听response times and provided听vital听鈥渆yes on scene鈥� information for first responders.听
The program will be听operated听by听VUPS personnel who have completed FAA certification and听instruction in public safety drone operations.听
To听ensure听privacy听and accountability,听drone use will follow strict听protocols, with all flights tied to specific public safety needs and subject to oversight and documentation.听
鈥淭ransparency and responsible use are foundational to how we approach this technology,鈥� Sutton said. 鈥淥ur goal is to enhance safety while maintaining the trust of our community.鈥�听
The听drone technology is part of VUPS鈥� continued investment in modern, responsive safety tools and practices that support Vanderbilt鈥檚 students, faculty,听staff听and visitors.听
More details听about the program, including听answers to听frequently听asked questions,听are听on the听.听
