By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Unmanned Aircraft System Study Commission heard testimony Tuesday on the growing role of drone technology in healthcare, public safety, and disaster response — along with concerns about data protection and cybersecurity.
The commission was created by House Joint Resolution 226, sponsored by Representative James Lomax (R-Huntsville), to evaluate drone usage in Alabama and recommend safeguards for sensitive information. A full report of its findings is due to the Legislature by the 15th day of the 2026 session.
Drones in Healthcare
Matt Sloane, co-founder of Skyfire AI, introduced Joshua Wright, Senior Logistics Analyst for CVS Health, who discussed how the company is developing drones for medical supply transport, including defibrillators and Narcan deliveries during emergencies.
“We think we can raise the survivability rate for out-of-hospital cardiac events from 8 to 10 percent up to 30 or 40 percent,” Wright said.
CVS has also used drones to improve logistics during Hurricanes Milton and Helene, keeping pharmacies stocked and patients supplied with critical medications.
Public Safety and Data Security
Benjamin Tristan, a Special Agent with the Texas Department of Public Safety, detailed how his agency uses over 300 drones for criminal investigations, search and rescue, and disaster response. He emphasized using U.S.-based software and secure data servers to protect sensitive information.
“If one drone system has an issue, we can ground those and keep flying others,” Tristan said.
Next Steps
Rep. Lomax said the commission’s next meeting will feature a demonstration by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) showcasing drones in law enforcement operations.
“Alabama is positioning itself as a leader in safe, innovative drone technology,” Lomax said.