Partnership advances NUAIR’s services to New York State public safety organizations and compliments “NYFLY” initiative.

Posted On
January 28, 2020

Image
Nuair Droneresponders 1200x800

(SYRACUSE, NY) – Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research (NUAIR) has partnered with DroneResponders, the world’s fastest growing nonprofit program supporting the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) – commonly referred to as “drones” – by public safety and emergency services professionals. NUAIR has helped over 25 state, county and local municipality emergency responders implement UAS programs, enhancing their operations and helping save lives. This new partnership will enhance UAS educational services and training programs for public safety organizations.

Public safety organizations are quickly realizing the life-saving potential of drones. Search and rescue, situational awareness/live streaming, and reconnaissance are the top three UAS missions ranked in order of importance according to public safety UAS professionals. The lack of educational activities, training, programs and awareness of useful drone technology are some of the key issues NUAIR and DroneResponders plan on addressing in their new partnership.

“NUAIR continues to enhance its services to New York State agencies, partnering with DroneResponders will help us within the public safety sector,” said Michael Hertzendorf, chief executive officer of NUAIR. “NUAIR’s technological expertise, flight experience and training, paired with DroneResponders’ network of public safety officials and their specific needs, will help accelerate the adoption of drone technology in emergency response organizations.”

“Our partnership with NUAIR will help accelerate the adoption of UAS by first responders across New York State and beyond to help save lives and property,” said Charles Werner, director of DroneResponders and retired fire chief from Charlottesville, VA. “Our DroneResponders Major Cities Working Group members will also be working closely with NUAIR to conduct research and testing on the use of public safety UAS in large urban and metropolitan areas.”

This new partnership compliments NUAIR’s “NYFLY” program – a New York UAS public-private partnership program being developed to spur the adoption of UAS into state and local government operations to help solve problems and increase effectiveness and efficiency of operations. The NYFLY program is open to all New York State agencies looking to enhance their operations including public safety, the energy sector (powerline, pipeline, windmill inspections), environmental conservation and more.

###

About NUAIR
NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research) is a New York based nonprofit organization that provides unsurpassed expertise in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations, aeronautical research, safety management and consulting services. Headquartered in Syracuse, NUAIR manages operations of the New York UAS Test Site at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, NY, one of just seven FAA-designated UAS test sites in the United States, which is responsible to the FAA and NASA to conduct operations for UAS testing. NUAIR is responsible for the continued development and advancement of New York’s 50-mile UAS corridor between Syracuse and Rome, facilitating beyond visual line of sight testing, commercial operations, and the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace. Visit www.nuair.org to learn more.

About DroneResponders Public Safety Alliance
DroneResponders is the world’s fastest growing nonprofit program supporting public safety UAS. The DroneResponders mission is to facilitate preparedness, response and resilience using unmanned aircraft systems and related technologies operated by public safety, emergency management, and non-governmental volunteer organizations around the world. The DroneResponders Public Safety Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit operating program of AIRT, Inc. For more information on DroneResponders, visit: http://droneresponders.org.

Other
CEO News

Image
INSPYRE Innovatoin Hub
CEO News | 04/22/2025

INSPYRE Innovation Hub is the New Name of CenterState CEO’s Expanded Business Incubator

CenterState CEO announced at its 2025 Annual Meeting the new name of its expanded business incubator in downtown Syracuse: CenterState CEO’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub.

Image
M&T Bank sign lighting at INSPYRE
CEO News | 09/09/2025

M&T Bank Named Founding Sponsor of CenterState CEO’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub

M&T Bank is the Founding Sponsor of INSPYRE Innovation Hub, helping to enable the growing startup ecosystem.

Image
FLJ Speaker Graphic Rectangle
CEO News | 09/02/2025

Felicia Legette-Jack Will Serve as the 2025 Economic Champions Celebration Speaker

CenterState CEO will host Felicia Legette-Jack as the keynote speaker for its 2025 Economic Champions Celebration event, Oct. 29, 2025.

Image
SU Chancellor Departure Graphic
CEO News | 08/27/2025

CenterState CEO Shares Statement on Syracuse University Chancellor's Plans to Depart

CenterState CEO acting president and CEO Ben Sio issued the following statement on Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud's plans to depart.

Image
New Hires Photos 082025
CEO News | 08/15/2025

CenterState CEO Announces New Hires

Recent hires include the appointment of Brian Bund as the Executive Director of the GSBDC.

Image
BMC classroom
CEO News | 08/13/2025

Bridge to Manufacturing Careers Graduates Second Cohort

Bridge to Manufacturing Careers hosted the graduation ceremony for its second cohort at SUNY EOC.

Image
GNY9 Finalist Graphic
CEO News | 08/11/2025

Empire State Development Announces Finalists for GENIUS NY Cohort 9

Empire State Development announces five uncrewed systems startups for GENIUS NY Round 9.

Image
GNY8 Completes program graphic
CEO News | 07/30/2025

GENIUS NY Cohort 8 Completes Yearlong Accelerator

The five companies making up GENIUS NY’s eighth cohort finished their time in the yearlong accelerator for uncrewed systems this July.

Image
CenterState Signal Graphic
CEO News | 07/30/2025

CenterState Signal: Syracuse Delivers

CenterState Signal is a quarterly column by CenterState CEO's Jared Shepard that takes a closer look at economic trends and their impact on the regional economy.