Recently, Flock Safety shook up the drone and public safety communities with our announcement that our partner, Elk Grove PD, has secured a groundbreaking FAA waiver to operate the Flock Aerodome DFR system at 400 feet across their entire jurisdiction. Operating at 400 feet offers significant advantages over the previous standard of 200 feet, which our VP of Aviation breaks down in an article, and we believe that this will become the new gold standard in DFR operations for first responders.  

In the spirit of building the most knowledgeable, creative team to shape the future of Drone as First Responder, we are excited that Jon McBride, known for his innovative contributions to drone technology, has joined the Flock Aviation team. This transition signifies a pivotal moment in McBride’s career, merging his expertise in advanced technologies with Flock’s mission to eliminate crime and shape safer, more connected communities.

A Legacy of Innovation in Tech

Before joining Flock Safety, McBride was a Co-Founder of RMUS, a commercial drone company that became a leading provider of drone solutions across industries from agriculture to public safety. Under McBride’s leadership, RMUS enabled businesses to leverage drone technology to enhance operations, from surveying land to conducting inspections.

In addition to his work at RMUS, McBride made significant contributions to Autel Robotics, a major player in the drone industry. As the director responsible for all training directives, McBride created the ARTC (Autel Robotics Training Center), a cutting-edge LMS focused on advancing drone education. He spearheaded the development of comprehensive training programs focused on Autel's Dragonfish, a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft. His work at Autel helped to standardize and elevate drone operations, ensuring that professionals in the industry were trained to operate these advanced systems with precision and safety.

Through these experiences, McBride gained a profound understanding of how drones can be helpful across a broad range of commercial applications. His expertise in integrating aerial technology with real-time data collection for practical use cases attracted the attention of both industry leaders and law enforcement professionals.

Why Flock Safety?

So why did McBride decide to join Flock Safety, a company that uses sensors, data, and AI to empower communities to address crime and improve public safety?

For McBride, the answer lies in Flock’s clear and meaningful impact on communities. After years of helping develop drone technology for emergency response, McBride recognized the significance of data-driven solutions in crime prevention. Flock Safety’s innovative approach—providing law enforcement agencies with data through smart devices —resonated deeply with him. The company’s mission to eliminate crime through technology aligned perfectly with his commitment to making the world safer through advanced tech.

“I’ve always been passionate about using technology to help people,” said McBride. “Flock Safety represents a natural progression in my career. It’s about providing tools that empower communities to prevent, deter, and solve crimes safely with the best technology. Their mission to create a safer world through data and AI is exactly the kind of challenge I’ve been looking for.”

McBride's expertise in drones, aerial operations, and real-time data integration will undoubtedly play a crucial role in Flock Safety’s expansion of its smart city solutions.

“Jon and I have known each other for about eight years and have had the opportunity to work together, but always at different companies. I couldn’t be happier to partner under the same Flock Aerodome umbrella and get DFR into the hands of agencies around the country. His experience and expertise in the drone industry will serve as a tailwind in supporting our mission of eliminating crime and creating a safer future.” – Brett Kanda, Director of DFR Sales. 

McBride will assist the Aerodome team at Flock Safety in fine-tuning and expanding the DFR program, ultimately aiming to create better solutions that integrate drones into everyday public safety efforts. His expertise in drone systems, software, and real-time data processing will be invaluable in refining the technology that underpins this ambitious initiative.

A New Era for Public Safety

“I see drones playing a huge role in this next phase for Flock,” McBride shared. “Integrating aerial sensors with ground-level data from Flock’s smart cameras opens up incredible possibilities for crime prevention and community safety. This is where the future of public safety is heading.”