ORLANDO, Fla. — During the 2024 Florida Legislative Session, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement appropriated funds to implement a Drone Replacement Grant Program
▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS
The grant provides public safety agencies with the opportunity to obtain compliant drones through a buyback grant program.
It also requires agencies to relinquish non-compliant drones to the Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida to analyze cybersecurity concerns.
Read: 24 confirmed killed in California wildfires, flame-fueling winds to return
Reimbursement amounts for relinquished non-compliant drones are based upon a pre-determined percentage of the original purchase price based on the number of flight hours.
Read: Firm has no plans to salvage more Titanic artifacts, snuffing out legal fight
The Orlando Fire Department has already requested the replacement of one Enterprise drone ($3,350.00) and two Mavic Pro drones ($1,159 each).
The cost of replacement drones will be reimbursed up to $25,000.00 per drone or up to $75,000.00 for three drones surrendered.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2025 Cox Media Group