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First Responders

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IACP 2024

Join the Science & Technology Directorate at IACP 2024 Ensuring law enforcement safety is a vital part of S&T’s work.

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Feature Article: Unmanned Aircraft Systems for First Responders in Rural Environments

S&T’s National Urban Security Technology Laboratory tested how UAS systems support first responders in the field.

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S&T Marks National Preparedness Month with Colorado Wildfire Sensor Delivery and First Responder Forum

DHS S&T announced the delivery and phased implementation of wildland fire sensors throughout Colorado that can detect the early stages of wildfires before they spread

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Big City Fire Fact Sheet

The Big City Fire Working Group (BCF) brings together representatives from 12 of the largest fire departments in the United States, as measured by number of stations and operational personnel. BCF members are senior leaders who understand the highest priorities of their departments and collaborate to identify and discuss the needs and challenges of fighting fire in dense urban settings. The S&T's NUSTL convenes and manages the BCF in support of the Directorate’s first responder portfolio and is responsible for setting strategy, executing process and identifying potential research, development, test and evaluation opportunities associated with the group.

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Bellbird Aerial Communications Platform Fact Sheet

The Bellbird is an aerial drone capable of two-way communication and projecting highly intelligible voice commands to enhance the capability of law enforcement crowd management operations, reducing the likelihood of unintended impacts or injury to officers and citizens.

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Feature Article: Edge Computing at the Wildfire’s Edge

S&T and the University of California San Diego recently collaborated with local California fire departments to evaluate WIFIRE’s edge computing and artificial intelligence capabilities.

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Where the Literal Hot Spots Are

Join the kick-off event as S&T and our partners at the U.S. Fire Administration and across Hawai’i announce a new round of beta testing for wildfire sensors. These devices can detect smoke and use artificial intelligence to distinguish between normal activities (such as barbeques) and smoldering fires, automatically alerting officials to give them more time to coordinate response or evacuation efforts.

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Emergency Management

This is the primary landing page for activities S&T is conducting to support emergency management. 

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Managing Emergencies Today While Planning for Tomorrow

New S&T landscape assessment report explores the current state of emergency management, identifies areas of opportunity, and drives proposals for future R&D investment.

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First Responders Technologies Fact Sheet

First responders at federal, state, local, and tribal levels are crucial in managing a variety of emergencies, ranging from pandemics and natural disasters to civil disturbances, terror attacks, and routine criminal activities. They need a wide array of capabilities to effectively respond to these challenges, which are constantly evolving due to new threats and environmental changes.