The initiative, funded through a California state law enforcement grant, is aimed at enhancing campus security and improving emergency response capabilities for students, staff and the surrounding community, school officials said.
The Drone as a First Responder program enables the rapid deployment of unmanned aerial drones to emergency calls east of Leisure Town. The drones provide real-time aerial intelligence to dispatchers and officers, allowing responders to assess situations before arriving on the ground and reducing response times, officials explained.
School officials said the technology adds a new layer of monitoring and rapid-response capability for the Kairos campus during emergencies.
“The safety of our scholars and staff is our highest priority,” Jared Austin, superintendent and CEO of Kairos, said in a press release. He said the partnership allows the campus to be supported by advanced public safety technology while also assisting broader policing efforts in the Vacaville area.
Vacaville Police Chief Chris Polen said school safety has been a central focus of his leadership and described the partnership as part of a shared community goal.
“By placing a drone first responder asset on campus, Kairos is taking a proactive step to help protect students and staff while leading the way in innovative school safety efforts,” Polen said in the release.
The drones will be operated by Federal Aviation Administration-certified remote pilots within the police department, with officials emphasizing that operations will follow established privacy and safety regulations.
Kairos Public Schools also contributed funding to install a drone landing platform at its new high school campus at 850 Sunflower St. in Vacaville.
School leaders said the drone program is part of a broader effort to integrate technology and layered safety measures across campuses, allowing students to focus on learning while administrators prioritize security.
© 2026 The Reporter, Vacaville, Calif. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
