Aerium Joins Forces with Partners to Roll Out the Drone814 Emergency Response Initiative

April 14, 2025 - [Johnstown, PA] – Aerium is proud to announce its role as a strategic partner in the Drone814 (ELSa-M3) initiative, a transformative project designed to use drone technology to improve emergency response and ultimately save lives across Cambria County and the surrounding region.

The initiative officially launched on Wednesday, April 9th when project leaders, including Aerium Chairman Larry Nulton, presented before the Johnstown City Council at their monthly meeting. ​

With the goal of developing Emergency Lifesaving through Multi-Modal Mobility, known as ELSa-M3, the Drone814 project brings together public, private, and nonprofit partners to deliver real-time, life-saving emergency response capabilities through drone innovation. This program, which will expand to other areas of the state in subsequent phases, promises to create career opportunities for Pennsylvanians in the aerospace and aviation sectors.

By delivering vital medical supplies such as EpiPens, AEDs, and NARCAN within minutes, Drone814 will enhance Johnstown area first responders’ ability to deliver critical care faster.

"Aerium is proud to stand alongside the partners behind Drone814," said Dr. Larry Nulton, Chairman of Aerium. "This initiative doesn’t just push the boundaries of what’s possible in emergency response—it opens new doors for our local workforce and sets the tone for how technology and community impact can go hand-in-hand."

As a nonprofit at the intersection of workforce development and aerospace innovation, Aerium works to prepare Pennsylvania’s students and communities for the future of aviation, defense, and aerospace careers. Through strategic initiatives like Drone814, Aerium ensures that cutting-edge technology isn’t just imported—it’s cultivated, deployed, and sustained by local talent.

"Being a part of a project that not only promises life-saving capabilities but also provides sustainable career pathways in the region is an incredible win-win," said Glenn Ponas, Executive Director of Aerium. "Drone814 embodies everything we believe in—community-first innovation, local job creation, and a forward-looking mission to make Pennsylvania a leader in aerospace technology. This initiative will have far-reaching impacts throughout not only the state, but the country as well."

A critical technical partner in the Drone814 initiative is ATA Aviation, a leader in digital aviation safety services and support for unmanned aircraft operations. With decades of combined leadership experience developing robust, scalable digital aviation infrastructure across multiple states, they play a central role in designing and validating the operational framework for ELSa-M3.

“The ELSa-M3 project represents more than technological progress—it’s a milestone in building the infrastructure needed to ensure these systems are safe, scalable, and ready to serve the public,” said ATA Aviation Managing Director, John Eberhardt “Drone814 is proof of what’s possible when technology and safety move forward together with the support of the community.”

With partnerships like Drone814, Aerium is helping accelerate a new era of high-tech emergency response while ensuring Pennsylvania students and workers are equipped to power it. From cost-effective, rapid medical delivery to scalable career training opportunities, this project is proving that innovation and impact don’t have to be in separate silos.

To learn more about Drone814 (ELSa-M3) project, visit www.drone814.com. For more information about Aerium, visit www.aerium.org ​
​

Aerium is a philanthropic 501(c)(3) organization established to be a catalyst for change in the aviation sector, focusing on education, workforce development, and creating career opportunities for students in Pennsylvania.

Drone814 (ELSa-M3)— a groundbreaking US Department of Transportation-sponsored pilot program that delivers life-saving medical supplies like EPIPENS, AEDs, and Narcan while first responders are en route to emergency incidents. FAA-regulated and free to the public, these drones are here to save lives, bringing faster emergency response to the people who need it most.