NPS-DDP Marks 47th Drone Donation for Pennsylvania Fire Department: Paying it Forward in the Public Safety Community

NPS-DDP stands for National Public Safety Drone Donation Program.  The name says it all: the organization is focused on getting drones into the hands of communities who need it most, but may not have the public funding available to build a fleet. By collecting donations from individuals, drone manufacturers and partners, and NPS-DDP President Mark Langley’s drone services company Airborne Works, which directly supports NPS-DDP, the program is able to match applicants from communities across the country with the hardware they need to get started.

This week, Langley marked NPS-DDP’s 47th drone donation: one that highlights the solidarity in the public safety community.

In June, Paul Vavra of the Dubois Town Fire Department decided to donate his own personal drone to the program.  As this drone fulfilled a request from another department, the Dubois Town Fire Department saw the value in providing drone technology where it was needed.  As Dubois Town Fire Department acquired new drones through NPS-DDP distribution partners, they supported the non-profit while expanding their own drone program.

When the New Berlin Fire Department in Pennsylvania applied for a drone from NPS-DDP,  Paul Vavra saw the appeal and donated his department’s H520 thermal drone through the foundation to New Berlin on September 6.   As stakeholders in New Berlin were able to see the value of drone data for firefighting first hand, the department was able to expand their drone fleet and aerial capabilities.

The cycle kept going when Kale Geiswite, Fire Drone Operations Manager at the New Berlin Fire Department,
decided to donate the H520 thermal imaging drone to yet another department. Stephen McDaniels of the Mocanaqua Fire Department had recently submitted an application, and they received the donation. “This singular drone has now made its way to three distinct departments, leaving a meaningful impact on multiple communities,” says NPS-DDP.

“New Berlin Fire Company is proud to support your organization and we believe in getting this life saving technology to others to support communities. NPS-DDP .org helped us when we needed it most and allowed us to grow our program into the success it is today. We hope that the Mocanaqua Fire Dept continues to use this equipment for the greater good of the department and community.” said Kale of New Berlin Department.

“The Mocanaqua Fire Department wants to thank Mark from NPS-DDP for helping us obtain this life saving equipment and the New Berlin Fire Company in Union County for their donation to our organization. This project has been about four years in the making. Whether assisting in a rescue or responding to a fire, the drone will increase the level of safety for our first responders and allow us to more efficiently provide the needed emergency services,” said Chief Stephen McDaniels of the Mocanaqua Fire Department.

Pilot Institute, an NPS-DDP partner, generously donating a 107 drone training class with this donation – critical for utilization of the equipment.  NPS-DDP says:

The generosity and dedication of the Dubois Town Fire Department, New Berlin Fire Department and Pilot Institute, reflect the spirit of the Public Safety community and its commitment to safeguarding communities through advanced drone technology.

This heartwarming chain of donations showcases how the brotherhood within Public Safety agencies can support one another, passing on drones they no longer need, and positively impacting multiple departments. It’s truly inspiring to witness the power of unity in the NPS-DDP mission to create safer communities.