According to DJI, the hope is that Baker will be able to improve the firm’s reach to police, fire and rescue personnel across the US. Most recently, Baker served for 10 years as fire chief and emergency management co-ordinator in Joshua, Texas; he was also co-founder of the North Central Texas Public Safety UAS Response Team, for which he worked with DJI evaluating product efficacy.

Commenting on his new role: “Joining DJI is a professional honor for me, and I’m glad to have a role where I can continue helping emergency professionals adopt and implement drones for public safety.” He added: “Throughout my career I have sought out, evaluated, trained and deployed the technologies and tactics that can protect civilian lives and property as well as protect the first responders who put their lives on the line every day. I’m looking forward to continuing this vital work and seeing the great things police officers, firefighters and rescue services do with drones.”

In his new role with DJI, Baker is tasked with working alongside public safety agencies across the US as they establish drone programmes, train staff, maintain equipment and operate effectively.

Romeo Durscher, DJI’s Senior Director of Public Safety Integration, added: “Wayne’s insight and experience as an expert user of DJI drones, cameras and systems has helped him become one of America’s lead developers of public safety drone training, deployment tactics and program policies.”