DRONERESPONDERS CALGRU Launches to Support UAS Operations

The DRONERESPONDERS California Public Safety Coordination Group (CALGRU), a statewide coordination organization headed by UAS experts in California public safety, was unveiled by the Airborne International Response Team (AIRT). Enhancing education, knowledge-sharing, policy alignment, and operational coordination among unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and counter-UAS stakeholders throughout the State of California is the non-profit goal of CALGRU.

Several regional and discipline-specific UAS working groups that have formed around California in recent years have evolved into CALGRU. Law enforcement, fire services, emergency management, transportation, environmental protection, and other government agencies will be represented among the membership, along with operators of vital infrastructure, aviation partners, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders. Those who fit the requirements specified on CALGRU.org can join CALGRU for free.

“The launch of CALGRU marks a major step forward for California’s public safety unmanned aviation community,” said Dan Munsey, Fire Chief of San Bernadino County, CA, Fire Protection District. “Our goal is to strengthen statewide coordination, information sharing, and ensure California agencies are equipped to respond effectively to emergencies and disasters."

Monthly statewide coordination calls, participation in regional working groups, an annual statewide summit, and specialized support for stakeholders during pre-planned events and quickly shifting incidents are all part of CALGRU's non-profit operations.

After the successful formation of FLOGRU in Florida, TEXGRU in Texas, OHGRU in Ohio, and NCGRU in North Carolina, AIRT introduced CALGRU as its fifth state-level coordinating organization. Since its founding in 2021, FLOGRU has expanded from a small number of members to over 650 participants representing over 150 agencies; AIRT expects CALGRU to follow suit.

“We are thrilled to expand the DRONERESPONDERS Coordination Group model to California,” said Christopher Todd, Executive Director of AIRT. “California’s public safety community has long been a national leader in UAS innovation. CALGRU will formalize that leadership, strengthen collaboration, and connect California agencies with the global DRONERESPONDERS network working to improve outcomes for incidents and emergencies worldwide.”