Transcript: Health and Safety Podcast

March 18, 2026

Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast. Coming up, learn about our police department’s Drone as First Responder program, and safety information for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Police Department has launched its Drone as First Responder program to enhance emergency response and situational awareness. Operated from the Real Time Crime Center, these drones provide rapid aerial views of incidents, giving first responders crucial information before they arrive on scene. This allows personnel to better assess situations, allocate resources effectively, and improve public safety. Operated by police, the drone program also supports the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, strengthening inter-agency coordination during critical incidents. The drones assist in a variety of emergencies, including missing persons, crashes, fires, medical calls, and felony arrest support. Using calls for service data, deployment locations are being established throughout the county. Within the coming months, each district station will have at least one launch location, with approximately 18 sites expected to be operational by this summer. The initiative utilizes American-made Skydio drones flown by certified Real Time Crime Center personnel. Equipped with advanced safety features, these drones are designed to complement existing aviation resources. The helicopter unit will continue responding as needed, while the drones serve as an additional tool for rapid intelligence gathering. For more information, visit our police blog: fcpdnews.wordpress.com.

Recent severe thunderstorms and heavy winds remind us of some very important safety messages.

• Bring in loose outdoor items. Patio furniture, trash cans, yard decorations, and anything else that could become a projectile in 70+ mph winds should come inside or be secured.
• Sign up for Fairfax Alerts. If you haven’t already, go to fairfaxcounty.gov/alerts and register for the county’s emergency alert system. You’ll get notifications sent straight to your phone or email when severe weather threatens our area.
• Charge your devices. Power outages are likely with storms. Charge your phones, tablets, laptops and portable battery packs. If you have a generator, make sure it’s fueled up and ready.
• Know your safe spot. When storms arrive, get to the lowest floor of your home or building and move to an interior room away from windows. Basements are best. Top floors, exterior rooms, and rooms with windows are not safe during a tornado.
• If you live in a mobile home or weaker structure, plan ahead now. Find a nearby sturdy building where you can take shelter before the storms arrive. Don’t wait until warnings are issued.
• Stock up on basics. Have water, non-perishable food, flashlights and batteries on hand. With the chance of extended power outages and roads blocked by fallen trees, you may not be able to get out easily for a while.

And be sure to follow our emergency information blog, fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog for emergency preparedness information.

Speaking of heavy winds, including tornadoes, our emergency blog recently published safety information on what to do in case of a tornado. The best spot is a basement or storm shelter. If you don’t have either, follow these rules:

In a building:

• Go to the lowest floor
• Pick an interior room with no windows
• Stay away from corners where walls meet
• Bathrooms, closets, and hallways work well
• Get under something sturdy if you can (desk, table, or workbench)

In a mobile home:

• Leave immediately
• Go to a permanent building if one is nearby
• If no buildings are close, lie flat in a ditch or low spot
• Cover your head and neck with your hands

In a vehicle:

• Never try to outrun a tornado
• Get out of the car
• Find a building or lie flat in a low area
• Don’t hide under an overpass (these can create wind tunnels)

The Protective Position

Once you’re in your safe spot, get in the protective position:

• Crouch down as low as possible
• Put your head between your knees
• Cover your head and neck with your arms and hands
• If you have a helmet, jacket, or blanket use it for extra protection

This position protects your head and vital organs from flying debris.

Each month, our Department of Emergency Management and Security produces the “Emergency Preparedness” newsletter and a monthly preparedness webinar. Learn more at fairfaxcounty.gov/emergencymanagement.

That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Va., Government. Thanks for listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and emergency preparedness may be found on our emergency information blog at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog. Follow the Health and Safety podcast on soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty and our podcasts webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. And remember, if you have a police, fire, or medical emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency needs, call 703-691-2131.