Rapid, Smarter Responses: How East Orange Uses Drones and CSI Technology Group to Protect the Community

East Orange, New Jersey, is a dynamic urban community in Essex County, just outside Newark and minutes from Manhattan. Known for its diversity, rich cultural heritage, and strong investment in public service, the city has become a model for municipal innovation. As part of its modernization strategy, East Orange is adopting next-generation technologies to enhance emergency response, strengthen public safety, and improve overall quality of life for residents.

A Breakthrough in Emergency Response: Drone as First Responder

To support its police and fire departments, East Orange has deployed a cutting-edge Drone as First Responder (DFR) program designed to provide rapid aerial insight during emergencies. Each drone is equipped with high-resolution video and thermal imaging, enabling real-time visibility into scenes that may otherwise pose risks to first responders.From fixed rooftop docking stations, FAA-certified drone pilots can launch a drone within 35–45 seconds of an emergency call. This speed gives responders a crucial head start—allowing them to assess scene safety, track suspects, identify hazards, and prepare for action before arriving in person. Recorded footage is later used for training, after-action reviews, and continuous improvement.

Teaming with Skydio

The drone program is powered by Skydio, a leading U.S.-based manufacturer recognized for its advanced autonomous flight capabilities and AI-driven navigation. Skydio drones utilize 360-degree obstacle avoidance and onboard intelligence to safely operate in complex and dynamic environments, including dense urban areas, around buildings, and in low-visibility conditions.These capabilities make them especially well-suited for public safety missions, where reliability and precision are critical. Additionally, Skydio’s platform supports secure communications, real-time video streaming, and integration with remote operations and docking systems—allowing agencies like East Orange to deploy drones rapidly, safely, and consistently as part of their first response strategy.

Seamless Integration Through CSI InfoCAD

A defining feature of East Orange’s program is its complete integration with CSI Technology Group’s Computer-Aided Dispatch platform, CSI InfoCAD.

CSI Technology Group’s Interface Team engineered the direct integration between InfoCAD and the drone platform, enabling real-time communication and fully automated deployment. When a dispatcher enters a Call for Service (CFS) type and address that meets the city’s drone deployment criteria, InfoCAD automatically initiates the drone launch. This removes the need for manual intervention and eliminates human delay—ensuring the drone is en route within seconds.By embedding drone operations directly into dispatch workflows, East Orange achieves:

• Faster response times
• Autonomous and repeatable deployment processes
• A unified operational view for police, fire, and emergency management

Powerful Interoperability for Smarter Public Safety

What makes the initiative truly groundbreaking is CSI Technology Group’s ability to connect systems that traditionally operate in silos. Through custom-built interfaces, InfoCAD not only automates drone deployment but also allows drone data to flow into systems like Records Management (RMS) for investigations, evidence, and long-term analytics.

This interoperable ecosystem delivers:

• Automated dispatch-to-drone workflows
• Centralized video and telemetric data for case building
• Advanced analytics for tactical planning and training
• A repeatable model for future smart-city integrations

The result is a smarter, more efficient emergency response framework that enhances situational awareness and strengthens officer and community safety.

A Model for Modern Municipal Services

East Orange’s Drone as First Responder program showcases what’s possible when innovative public safety agencies combine best-in-class technology with a forward-thinking vision. By merging autonomous drones with CSI Technology Group’s integrated CAD platform, the city has created a faster, more connected emergency response system that protects its community with modern precision.

Partner with CSI to Transform Your Operations

CSI Technology Group empowers public safety agencies with customized CAD, RMS, and system integration solutions that streamline operations and elevate performance. Whether you're deploying drones, enhancing data workflows, or connecting mission-critical platforms, CSI can help you build smarter, faster, and more integrated public safety processes.

Contact CSI Technology Group today to explore how we can support your agency’s next innovation.