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Breadcrumb

  1. Science and Technology
  2. Research & Development
  3. First Responder Capability
  4. System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER)

System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) Program

Battery-Powered Rescue Tools for Vehicle Extrication

SAVER video presents results of tool assessments.

Walk-Through Screening for Mass Casualty Threats

SAVER TechNote provides an overview. 

Crowd Analysis Technologies

SAVER Market Survey Report delivers a commercial marketplace snapshot of tech systems. 

Augmented and Virtual Reality Training Systems

SAVER Market Survey Report offers a commercial marketplace snapshot. 

Body Worn Cameras with Automatic Activation

SAVER Market Survey Report provides a commercial marketplace snapshot. 

Blue UAS for First Responders

SAVER Focus Group Report recommends Blue UAS evaluation criteria to use in a future assessment.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) manages the SAVER Program to assist emergency responders in making procurement decisions. Since its inception in 2004, the SAVER Program has produced more than 1,000 knowledge products. These knowledge products—which include focus group, market survey and assessment reports, as well as technotes, application notes, handbooks, guides and other documents—are described in detail on the SAVER Document Descriptions page, and assist in providing emergency responders with information to inform their procurement decisions.

Publicly releasable SAVER documents are available here in the SAVER Document Library. SAVER documents with limited distribution are available to members of the SAVER Community by contacting NUSTL@hq.dhs.gov.

Asset tracking and inventory systems read information from labels or tags affixed to assets to aid in the management of inventory, personnel assignments, and maintenance needs. Responders may use these systems to track assets such as firearms, vehicles, evidence, tools, medical kits, and disaster relief supplies. Included reports: market survey report and technote.

Handheld multi-gas detectors are usually the first line of screening for environmental hazards such as oxygen deficiency or enrichment and elevated levels of combustible/toxic gases. These detectors are used by responders when responding to calls where dangerous levels of gases may be present. Included reports: highlight, application note, and technote.

Air-line supplied air respirators (SARs) provide clean breathing air from an uncontaminated source, and are used by responders  when air-purifying respirators (APRs) cannot provide adequate protection for a sufficient duration of time. Unlike, self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs), air-line SARs may limit the user's mobility, but their air supply is not limited like that of the SCBA. Included report: technote.

Individual officer trauma kits contain essential supplies for treating life-threatening injuries in a field environment before certified medical assistance reaches the scene. Responders may use these kits for emergency self care or for the treatment of another person. Included reports: highlight, market survey report, application note, and technote.

Shatter-resistant window film is used to protect glass panes in buildings or vehicles from shattering and causing harm to bystanders in the event of blasts, gunshots, or other intrusions. It is used for security in critical infrastructure with high value targets. Included reports: highlight, market survey report, and summary.

Life safety ropes are used to enable human rescue from areas of limited or perilous access. These ropes are used by responders to access steep, vertical, and near vertical terrain; ascend or descend from multi-story buildings; and conduct search, rescue, and recovery in maritime environments. Included reports: highlight, focus group report, and market survey report.

Handheld radionuclide identification devices (RIDs) are instruments that identify the radionuclides present in a radioactive source by identifying characteristic gamma ray emission patterns. These devices are used by responders to detect and measure gamma radiation and identify gamma ray emitting radionuclides. Included reports: market survey report, assessment report, and technote.

 

Small package screening systems are used to screen hand-carried items for hazardous material or devices. These systems are typically used at checkpoints to prevent illicit material from being carried into secure areas. Included reports: highlight, market survey report, and technote.

Standoff radiation detectors (SRDs) are able to locate radiation sources from a distance and determine whether or not they constitute a threat. Responders use SRDs for screening and inspection operations. Included reports: highlight, focus group report, market survey report, assessment report, and technote.

Portable ambulance decontamination systems disperse, via vapor fog, or mist, a disinfectant or sterilant into an ambulance cabin and onto surfaces through automated or manual operation to kill microorganisms that could cause illness and disease. These systems are used by emergency medical services (EMS), fire departments, and private ambulance providers to disinfect ambulance cabins. Included report: market survey report.

Portable breathing air compressors are used primarily to enable responders to refill self-contained breathing apparatus bottles onsite during an extended operation when stationary breathing air refill systems are not available. Included reports: highlight, market survey report, focus group report, assessment report, and summary.

Underwater cameras may be inherently waterproof or placed in a waterproof housing and are capable of capturing and storing video and still images. These cameras are used by responders to document underwater accidents, crime scenes, and security inspections. Included reports: market survey report and assessment report.

Dive lights are primarily used by divers to signal other divers or mark their location during dive operations. Responders use dive lights to provide additional illumination during dive operations that are conducted in poorly-lit conditions and nighttime dives. Included reports: market survey report and assessment report.

Access control technologies are implemented to ensure that authorized persons can enter and exit; to prevent the entry of contraband; to notify security personnel of attempts to gain unauthorized access; and to maintain records of access. Included reports: highlight, handbook, summary.

4G mobile broadband routers provide a means to connect multiple devices to the Internet over a cellular network when cellular service is available. These routers could be an improvement for responder vehicles equipped with mobile modems that can only connect to the internet with one device at a time. Included reports: highlight and technote.

Handheld thermal imagers work by creating a virtual display showing the heat signatures of objects in the field of view. These devices can provide responders with a covert method of surveillance, providing a tactical advantage at night. Included reports: highlight (2007 and 2016), assessment report (2007 and 2017), application note, market survey report, and needs and requirements report.

Last Updated: 05/28/2024
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