Sparking Innovation to Fight Fire Around the World
Our May campaign to honor first responders and highlight related R&D continues with updates on S&T’s role at the World Fire Congress.
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Our May campaign to honor first responders and highlight related R&D continues with updates on S&T’s role at the World Fire Congress.
The Science and Technology Directorate’s National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) partnered with the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs), a life-saving piece of personal protective equipment and a substantial financial investment for fire departments nationwide. Recent technological advancements in SCBAs promise to enhance safety, communication, situational awareness, and the overall mission effectiveness of fire response teams. NUSTL’s evaluation involved rigorous testing of SCBAs available in the current marketplace to analyze their capabilities, including new electronic safety features that facilitate information transmission between SCBAs and incident command.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate works closely with the nation’s emergency response community to identify and prioritize mission capability gaps, and to facilitate the rapid development of critical solutions to address responders’ everyday technology needs. As these new technologies near completion, the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) conducts an operational field assessment (OFA) to evaluate the prototype's capabilities and operational suitability. This report documents the results of an OFA of C-THRU, a real-time visualization system intended to provide firefighters with technology that can minimize the disorientation associated with emergency response. It offers a suite of imaging, navigation, and visual communication applications via the helmet-mounted C-THRU Navigator and corresponding Visual Command platform.
S&T works closely with first responders to develop technologies and tools that enhance their safety and increase their operational effectiveness. Our new report trilogy documents available resources and in-process R&D for all responder disciplines.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) works closely with first responders to improve their safety and effectiveness – lending expertise, conducting research and development, and funding innovation to ensure our nation’s public safety services are well-equipped to provide aid in times of crisis
As energy innovation expands, the widespread adoption of high energy density batteries continues apace in both residential and commercial spaces. This trend amplifies the challenges faced by responders in saving lives and protecting property as they respond to battery fire incidents.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), supports and strengthens fire and emergency medical services to prepare for, prevent, mitigate, and respond to hazards.
Secretary Mayorkas delivered the following remarks at the 2023 U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control in Emmitsburg, MD.
As occurrences of extreme weather events increase, including extreme heat and drought, more and more communities will face the threat of devastating wildfire events.
In light of the increased focus on the increasing proliferation of fire as a threat to community safety and security, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the appointment of Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin M. Crowley to the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC). A 22-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), Crowley is the first woman and the first LGBTQ Fire Chief to lead the LAFD. She will be sworn in at the HSAC’s next meeting on September 14, 2023.