Happy 4th of July! I want to start by wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday. As we celebrate our patriotism for our country and the freedoms we enjoy, this is a time to reflect on what is truly important. When I sat down with my team here a few months ago to talk about our successes, I discussed that S&T’s mission to find innovative technologies is really about the security of our country and the security of our families.
We developed S&T’s 2015 Year in Review to show how we are achieving both of those things.
For example, when disasters like earthquakes separate us from loved ones, we are looking for ways to ensure they can come back together. FINDER, which saved four lives during the Nepal earthquake, provides first responders with the ability to quickly detect the heartbeats of victims who are buried under rubble or other debris.
But it’s not just in times of disaster that we think about technology. We are also working on a technology that assists responders with locating lost persons. Through a mobile application, we are helping responders visualize where a lost person is likely to be, saving valuable time in missing person searches. We know how precious this time is to the loved ones of the more than 600,000 missing persons each year.
We also work to prevent incidents across the country while ensuring people can move with ease through their communities. For example, baseball stadiums around the United States have begun using a technology we call Fast Access, which allows fans to gain entry much quicker by enrolling prior to showing up to the game. The technology uses risk assessment algorithms to ensure that those entering the stadium pose no threat and helps you get to your seat quicker and with less hassle.
At our airports, where many people flock to in the summer as they head on vacation, we are keeping crowds safe with our Explosive Detection Canine Program. Through years of hard work, S&T has found a way for experts to work in concert with canines for the explosive detection community. Whether it’s emerging threats or novel concealment techniques, our program continues to provide support to the entire homeland security community.
These are just a few of the ways in which we are working every day to ensure that our country and its people are well-protected. Again, happy 4th of July!