Drone technology could save your life if you find yourself in an emergency situation.

Law enforcement agencies have started to utilize drones more frequently as the technology continues evolving, but constant training is required.

Wednesday, the New York Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services hosted the inaugural Public Safety Drones Skills Day at the State Preparedness Center in Oriskany.

Individuals from five agencies across the state competed to respond to various emergency scenarios.

These situations ranged from helping a struggling swimmer to locating people trapped inside a collapsed building.

Chris Couell, Deputy Fire Coordinator in Erie County, says drones make responding to these types of situations efficiently. “If we can get in the air real quick with a drone, find out where that person is, we can get the proper help right to that person quicker, more effective.”

DHSES officials say running through different training situations is vital to understanding how to respond to varying calls.

At the conclusion of Public Safety Drone Skills Day, a team from the Manlius Police Department was named the winner.

In Oneida County, the technology was used recently to respond to a standoff situation in Verona last week.