Grant expands South Strabane Police expand aerial emergency response

Advanced technology is helping first responders react faster and operate more safely in South Strabane Township, Pennsylvania.

Through Norfolk Southern’s Safety First grant program, the South Strabane Township Police Department has expanded its aerial support capabilities with advanced drone technology that is already making a difference in the community.

The department received a $10,000 Safety First grant in 2025 to purchase a small, unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) equipped with thermal imaging and night vision capabilities. The funding builds on a previous $14,060 Safety First grant awarded in 2024 to support professional drone equipment, accessories, and specialized training focused on disaster response, search and rescue, and public safety operations.

From funding to field deployment

The investment has quickly translated into real-world results.

Since March 2025, South Strabane Township Police have deployed their drone program more than 60 times in support of:

• Search and rescue operations
• High-risk warrant service
• Public education and outreach
• Assistance to local, county, state, and federal agencies

The technology allows FAA-certified drone pilots to respond directly from the field rather than returning to the station to retrieve equipment, helping reduce response times during critical incidents.

Expanding the department’s toolkit

Equipped with thermal imaging and night vision capabilities, the drones provide officers with aerial visibility that can be difficult to obtain from the ground.

The enhanced capabilities support safer operations for first responders while improving situational awareness during emergencies, searches, and other high-priority incidents.

In their words

“With the grants we received from Norfolk Southern in 2025 and 2026, we were able to purchase two very capable public safety drones: A DJI Matrice 30T and an Autel Evo Max 4N. Since March of 2025, we have utilized these drones more than 60 times for operations including search and rescue, high risk warrant service, public relations and education, and assistance to other local, regional, county, state and federal agencies. Law enforcement and the public alike are safer thanks to this technology which we were unable to fund without the help of Norfolk Southern,” said Tony Gismondi, Air Support Unit Coordinator for South Strabane Township Police.

Supporting safer communities

By supporting public safety organizations through the Safety First grant program, Norfolk Southern is helping local agencies strengthen emergency response capabilities and enhance community safety across its network.

Learn more about Norfolk Southern’s community grant programs and their impact across our network here.