Chief Charles Werner (ret.)
The DRONERESPONDERS program is led by Chief Charles Werner (ret.) who serves as the director. Chief Werner is a 47 year public safety veteran starting his career as a volunteer in 1974. He then spent 37 years as a career firefighter with the Charlottesville Fire Department, the last ten years as fire chief. Upon retirement, Charles served as technical advisor and acting deputy state coordinator with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
Chief Werner has served in numerous leadership roles at the local, state, national and international levels. He presently serves as the director/founder of DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Alliance, chair of the National Council on Public Safety UAS, member – International Public Safety Association UAS Committee, chair – Virginia Secure Commonwealth UAS Sub Panel, FAA certified Remote Pilot, Virginia Fire Chiefs Technology Advisor, and the IAFC Technology Council.
Chief Werner is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine, a contributor to Urgent Communications, Domestic Preparedness Magazine, sUAS News, FireRescue1, Editorial Board – Crisis Response Journal, Editorial Advisor – Carolina Fire & EMS Journal, Industrial Fire World Magazine, Homeland Security Today Magazine and other publications with a combination of over 500 nationally published articles, webinars, podcasts and national presentations.