For Immediate Release
Contact: DHS S&T Press Office, (202) 254-2385
Houston, TX – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) will host a demonstration of integrating emergency response technologies during a simulated HAZMAT scenario at the Port of Houston on December 5, 2018. The Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) – Harris County Operational Experimentation (OpEx) will involve coordinated response by Houston public safety agencies, the U.S. Coast Guard, and others.
Over the last year, DHS S&T partnered with 13 Houston-area public safety agencies, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the DHS Office of Emergency Communications to identify technical capabilities that could assist first responders at the scene of an emergency. Situational awareness, responder physiological and patient monitoring, personnel location tracking, and enhanced communications were identified as priority concerns. The OpEx will evaluate how DHS-developed, commercial, and existing first responder technologies integrate during an emergency to fill these gaps while using open standards.
WHO: Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate, Next Generation First Responder
Program (NGFR)
WHAT: Media availability and demonstration of the NGFR – Harris County OpEx
WHEN: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CST, Wednesday, December 5, 2018
WHERE: 1:00 p.m. – Remarks
Port Coordination Center (follow signs for Police Station)
Port of Houston
111 East Loop North
Houston, TX 77029
1:45 p.m. – Technology Demonstration
Sam Houston Tour Boat Pavilion
Port of Houston
7300 Clinton Drive
Houston, TX 77020
To attend the press availability and demonstration, credentialed media must RSVP to NGFR@hq.dhs.gov by Friday, November 30, 2018, to register and receive a media packet and additional information about photographs and recording at the Port of Houston. Media must also check in at either the Port Coordination Center or the Sam Houston Tour Boat Pavilion prior to the demonstration. Media attendees must be U.S. citizens.
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