The First Responders Drone Operator Association (FRDOA) is a proud subsidiary of Gridiron Training Inc., one of California’s leading first responder training organizations. FRDOA was created in direct response to statewide requests from our colleagues for focused, high-quality training in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations—commonly known as drones.
Our mission is to carry forward Gridiron’s gold-standard approach to training, delivering excellence to public safety professionals not only throughout California, but across the nation. While our core partners are first responders, Law Enforcement, fire agencies, utility organizations, search and rescue teams, we also serve other critical entities that respond during emergencies and natural disasters.
UAVs have become an essential tool in the modern public safety toolkit. As such, FRDOA is committed to equipping our members with the most up-to-date training, legal guidance, operational policies, and best practices. Our goal is to ensure our members can operate safely, effectively, and with confidence—minimizing liability while maximizing mission success.
At Gridiron, our mission is clear: deliver the gold standard of training to those who respond when it matters most. FRDOA is no different.
We define first responders as those who take action in natural or man-made disasters, including:
FRDOA delivers mission-driven training designed to enhance your skills and operational readiness. These events also provide a vital opportunity to connect with elite operators and pilots from across the state—strengthening collaboration and tactical effectiveness when every second counts.
Although FRDOA (First Responder Drone Operations Association) is newly formed as an association, it stands on the strong foundation built by Gridiron Training—one of California’s premier public safety training organizations. Gridiron has earned its reputation through years of delivering high-quality, real-world training to law enforcement and fire agencies from Crescent City to Chula Vista—literally border to border.
Our team is composed of Gridiron instructors and contributors from across the state—professionals who are experts in the field of UAV operations and committed to enhancing the capabilities of public safety personnel. Through Gridiron, we’ve helped agencies prepare for the challenges of today and tomorrow. Through FRDOA, we’re bringing that same level of dedication to the rapidly growing field of drone operations for first responders.
As we continue to expand, our mission remains the same: to support and strengthen all of our public safety partners—fire,police, utilities, EMS, and search and rescue—with gold-standard training, resources, and community.
