WarrenUAS will use the funding to provide FAA Part 107 preparation and hands-on flight training in New Jersey.
A FirstEnergy Foundation grant is helping teachers and police officers gain professional drone training at Warren County Community College.
The foundation awarded $15,000 to WarrenUAS, the college’s unmanned systems program. The funding will support training for 20 high school STEM teachers and 10 police officers.
Participants receive preparation for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate exam. The four-day classes also include live flight training at WarrenUAS facilities.
The grant forms part of $55,000 in FirstEnergy Foundation funding for five New Jersey education programs. Those programs focus on electrical trades and science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“We need to prepare the next generation to meet those demands, whether they are working on electrical systems, flying drones or engineering the next great device. STEM is a vital part of the future. New Jersey has been at the center of innovation since the invention of the light bulb, and we’re proud to help continue that great tradition in the communities we serve,” said Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy’s president of New Jersey.
Supporting Public Safety Drone Programs
Police departments increasingly use drones for search and rescue, accident investigations and responses at dangerous locations. However, training costs can limit access for smaller agencies.
“With ongoing tight budgets for both school districts and local police departments, high-tech training is not always accessible for these community heroes,” said Pete Miller, chief pilot at WarrenUAS. “We believe more training in unmanned systems is critical in many sectors and this is one way WarrenUAS can make it easier for these professionals to gain it.”
Officers from 10 New Jersey and Pennsylvania police departments have taken part in the program. They represent Sparta, Washington Township, Nazareth Borough, Delaware Township, Mount Olive, Mansfield Township, Franklin Borough, Hopatcong, Clinton and Newton.
Delaware Township Police Chief Robert Illes joined the training to better understand current drone technology and prepare his department for future operations.
“Use of drones is, and will be, incorporated into law enforcement operations for years to come. From search and rescue, crime scene investigations, to serious and fatal traffic accidents, drone usage will become the norm as departments incorporate their use,” he said.
Illes said the course helped him understand FAA rules and gave him direct flight experience. His rural township also has an aging population. The department sometimes receives reports of residents with dementia who have become lost.
A drone could search a wide area without requiring the department to request a New Jersey State Police helicopter.
“Having been a flight simulator enthusiast since my younger days, I’ve also had an interest for the past 5 to 10 years to get into the field of drone flying but never had the opportunity,” Illes said.
His department plans to seek funding for a cost-effective drone during its next budget year.
Bringing Drone Skills into Schools
Educators from 11 school districts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have participated in the program. The training can help teachers introduce students to drone technology and related career paths.
“Drone technology is the future of many industries as well as critical now for public safety. Pilot training and acquiring an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate is essential for law enforcement and first responders in today’s world,” Miller said.
WarrenUAS is accepting nominations for 10 teachers from local school districts that have not yet participated. The final course will run Wednesdays and Fridays from November 11 through November 20, 2026. Classes will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The nomination deadline is October 9, 2026. Teachers and school administrators can contact Dawn Smith at 908-835-4029 or dsmith@warren.edu for information.
“Our obligation as a community college is to serve the community. Making this important training more accessible to our community partners helps fulfill our mission,” Miller said.
Read more:
- Warren County Community College Launches Counter-Drone Security Training Program
- WarrenUAS Receives FAA Approval to Train Students on Large Drones
- WarrenUAS Expands Industry Reach Through New Partnership with The Tactien Group
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to DroneLife here.
Leave a Reply