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Flying Lion opens Drone as First Responder (DFR) training center

Designed for real-world DFR training, testing and collaboration, FLI Town will provide a secure, vendor-agnostic environment

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Photo/Flying Lion

By Police1 Staff

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. — Flying Lion, Inc. has announced the launch of a dedicated Drone as First Responder (DFR) training center, designed to enhance drone deployment in public safety operations, according to a release.

The facility, named FLI Town, will offer hands-on training to law enforcement, fire departments and emergency responders, focusing on the effective use of drones in real-time incident response. The center aims to improve public safety by equipping first responders with the skills needed to deploy drones for rapid situational awareness and decision-making. The center will provide a secure, vendor-agnostic environment with no ground risk and minimal conflict with crewed aircraft.

Flying Lion has also secured an FAA Part 107 Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver up to 400 feet AGL (with no human visual observer), enabling 24/7 remote training flights from any location with an internet connection. “The goal was to find a safe location to train remote operators on real-world calls for service, and FLI Town is the solution,” said Barry Brennan, President and Founder of Flying Lion. “Thanks to our hardware and software partners, we have built a truly special training facility where remote pilots can train without being onsite.”

“FLI Town is such a unique place, and we’re honored to be a training partner with Flying Lion,” said Chief Charles Werner, founder of DRONERESPONDERS. “Having a dedicated, private location for realistic DFR training with minimal ground or air risk is invaluable — this is truly one of a kind.”

Founded in 2014, Flying Lion, Inc. (FLI) is a drone service provider for law enforcement, public safety agencies and municipalities. Specializing in Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations, Flying Lion offers on-demand drone air support, FAA regulatory consulting, training, staffing, dock installation and maintenance, and equipment leasing. Flying Lion has completed over 59,400 DFR missions, with 37,725+ conducted Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).

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