First-in-the-nation drone program comes to Tampa General

Brody Wooddell
·2 min read

AA-approved drone technology will speed up response times for 9-1-1 callers in Manatee County’s coverage area.

Tampa, FL (BLOOM) – Tampa General Hospital (TGH), in partnership with Manatee County and Archer First Response Systems (ArcherFRS), has announced a groundbreaking program that uses drone technology to deliver life-saving emergency equipment to 9-1-1 callers. The program, set to launch on May 1, aims to improve response times for health-related emergencies in the Manatee County coverage area.

TGH’s president and CEO, John Couris, emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative. “Through the use of technology and innovation, Tampa General Hospital is transforming health care,” said Couris. “This first-in-the-nation program can effectively save lives by responding to health-related emergencies faster than ever before.”

The program will deploy drones carrying automated external defibrillators (AEDs), NARCAN Nasal Spray, and tourniquets, providing quick access to life-saving equipment for emergency situations. The goal is to enhance survival rates for cardiac arrests, opioid overdoses, and trauma-related injuries.

Gordon Folkes, founder and CEO of ArcherFRS, highlighted the importance of this innovative approach. “Sudden cardiac arrest, opioid overdose, and trauma impact hundreds of thousands of people in the United States each year; there is a real need for a paradigm shift in the treatment and response to these time-critical emergencies,” said Folkes. “Unmanned aircraft provide a unique utility in their ability to fly quickly and directly to the scene of an emergency.”

The program will initially serve a 3.5-square-mile area from the Manatee County EMS Lakewood Ranch Station, with plans to expand coverage to 35 square miles with additional approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The drones are equipped with safety features such as ASTM-certified Parachute Recovery systems, on-board computers, and LTE cell modems.

Tampa General Hospital and Archer First Response Systems drone project in Manatee County, the first install in the country integrated with county EMS dispatch. The drone can deliver a defibrillator and a dose of Narcan.
Tampa General Hospital and Archer First Response Systems drone project in Manatee County, the first install in the country integrated with county EMS dispatch. The drone can deliver a defibrillator and a dose of Narcan.

During a public meeting on April 23, the Manatee County Commission received a briefing on the program’s status. Local leaders expressed their strong support for the initiative. Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Chair Mike Rahn stated, “This is an amazing opportunity to be on the cutting edge of technology in emergency response.”

Starting May 1, when a 911 caller reports cardiac arrest, opioid overdose, or trauma within the coverage area, Manatee County ECC Dispatch will deploy an ArcherFRS drone. The equipment is expected to reach the caller within 1 minute 45 seconds to 2 minutes 10 seconds, with dispatchers providing guidance on equipment use while traditional emergency response vehicles are en route.

Over the next 12 months, TGH, ArcherFRS, and Manatee County will evaluate the program’s performance to determine its scalability and broader applicability across the state. Manatee County residents seeking more information on the program can visit mymanatee.org/drone.

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