October, 2025
Researchers from the C5I Center at George Mason University are leading a new regional study exploring how drones can support emergency response operations across Northern Virginia. Funded by a $199,910 grant from the Northern Virginia Emergency Response System (NVERS) through FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate, the project runs from July 2025 through May 2026.
The study, led by Dr. Shima Mohebbi, Assistant Professor in the College of Engineering and Computing, and Dr. Michael Hieb, Research Professor at the C5I Center, will assess the feasibility of implementing a Drone-as-a-First-Responder (DFR) program. These systems allow unmanned aerial vehicles to be dispatched immediately after a 911 call, streaming live video to public safety teams and providing critical situational awareness before responders arrive on scene.
DFR technology has the potential to transform emergency response by improving response times, safety, and operational efficiency. The C5I Center team will analyze how drones can:
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Deliver rapid on-scene visibility for police, fire, and rescue units.
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Enhance responder and public safety through early hazard assessment.
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Support search and rescue with night-vision and thermal imaging.
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Reduce operational costs compared to traditional response assets.
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Strengthen community transparency and accountability through recorded incident footage.
Working with regional partners across Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington, and Alexandria, the project will use advanced simulation and optimization modeling, a “soft digital twin” of the region to identify optimal drone base locations, estimate coverage and response times, and guide a scalable deployment strategy.
This initiative reflects the C5I Center’s mission to advance command, control, communications, computing, cyber, and intelligence systems through applied research and innovation that enhances national and community resilience.
