City outlines communications plan for 'drones as first responders' program, including public-facing flight portal

The Newport News City Manager invited the director of communications to brief the City Council on the "drones as first responders" communications plan ahead of the program launch. Jody Foster presented a two-part packet: a mayor video script and social social-media materials (the media kit) plus a longer communications plan for web presence and coordinated messaging with public safety partners.

Foster said the media kit was "intended to prepare you for any questions or public meetings you might have" and outlined a proposed launch cadence beginning June 17. She told council the communications office has prepared potential questions-and-answers and a draft mayor script that council members could use on their channels.

Foster emphasized transparency and a public-facing portal maintained by the service provider: "transparency isn't a buzzword here. It's the truth," she said, adding the portal will share flight information, types of calls for service and flight durations so residents can track program activity.

Council members recalled that at a recent senior town hall — where roughly 60 seniors attended — initial concern about the program shifted to strong support after the police chief explained the technology. One council member said the seniors "were excited about it" and urged more in-person outreach to replicate that positive response across the city.

Foster said the communications office can work with council members and public-safety chiefs on community events and a proposed short video featuring both chiefs to help explain the program visually. She encouraged council members to use the provided media kit and said staff will be available to answer follow-up questions.

The presentation closed with an offer from staff to help council integrate the communications plan into upcoming town hall meetings and other resident-facing forums.