A Reno-based company that launched America’s first defibrillator via drone service believes it has built a platform to air lift other emergency services as well, including emergency epinephrine in the case of anaphylaxis.
Last October, Flirtey – a drone service known for delivering pizza and Slurpees – announced they were partnering with Reno’s Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority to allow first responders to send an automated external defibrillator (AED) by air along with an ambulance dispatch for emergency calls involving cardiac arrest. The service employs a rapid drone deployment program based on Flirtey’s flight planning software technology.
The program is intended to get life-saving services to the patient much faster, even before responders arrive on the scene.
Now, as the company considers expanding the list of emergency services that it can deliver via drone, CEO Matt Sweeney sees emergency drug delivery via air lift as the next frontier.
“I could see delivery of EpiPens for people having an allergic reaction while they’re out for lunch,” said Sweeney. “I could see delivery of Narcan in the event of an opioid overdose. If you can get to the scene faster with drones, it will help save lives.”
The company filed a joint application with the city of Reno for a federal drone pilot program. If accepted, the initiative sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation would fast-track their drone program for three years.
