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Search and Rescue

Last Updated: November 2, 2022 | Publication

Urban Search and Rescue Innovation Fact Sheet

Through the prototype development of a National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Specific Geospatial Response Intelligence Toolset (GRIT), the US&R community will have the opportunity to define requirements for system development, participate in focused operational experiments, refine the system, and test it within the existing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exercise series.

Last Updated: June 21, 2021 | Publication

ST-Interactive Synopsis Enhanced Rescue Hoist Glove

Interactive synopsis and Interactive mobile synopsis for Enhancing Rescue Hoist Glove Operational Field Assessment

Last Updated: May 18, 2021 | Press Releases

News Release DHS & USCG to Hold Virtual Industry Day

DHS S&T, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, invite innovators to submit solutions for a large capacity floating device to keep survivors out of the water during mass rescue operations.

Last Updated: September 10, 2020 | Publication

ST-Enhanced Rescue Hoist Glove

Rescue hoist gloves protect emergency responders’ hands during specialized helicopter hoist rescue operations. Read the results of two prototype fingerless glove designs, developed by DHS S&T, and tested by the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory.

Last Updated: April 2, 2020 | Press Releases

Snapshot: First Responders Assess Drones for Search and Rescue Missions

S&T initiated the FRROST program in 2018 to help the first responder community evaluate drones in real-world field conditions under simulated scenarios to inform their purchases.

Last Updated: November 16, 2017 | Testimony

Written testimony of USCG Commandant for a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard hearing titled “Coast Guard Readiness: How Far Can We Stretch Our Nation’s Only Multi-Mission, Military F

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft addresses the unique blend of authorities, capabilities, capacities, and partnerships that position the Coast Guard well for success during maritime search and rescue events and natural disasters.

Last Updated: November 2, 2017 | Testimony

Written testimony of USCG for a House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure hearing titled “Emergency Response and Recovery: Central Takeaways from the Unprecedented 2017 Hurricane Season”

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Atlantic Area Commander Vice Admiral Karl Schultz addresses the role of the Federal Government and the Coast Guard’s response to the 2017 hurricanes.

Last Updated: March 3, 2016 | Testimony

Written testimony of TSA and CBP for a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing titled “Dogs of DHS: How Canine Programs Contribute to Homeland Security”

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Office of Training and Workforce Engagement Deputy Assistant Administrator Kimberly Hutchinson, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Training & Development Canine Program Director Damien Montes address the canine training programs at TSA and CBP and the ability of canine teams to provide reliable and mobile detection capabilities while also serving as a visible deterrent against criminal and terrorist threats.

Last Updated: July 31, 2015 | Publication

S&T REDOPS Fact Sheet and Video

REDOPS is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) program that supports public safety bomb technicians. The program provides a collaborative structure for addressing IED response and defeat capability gaps identified by federal, state and local bomb technicians, including the National Bomb Squad Commander’s Advisory Board (NBSCAB).

Last Updated: July 31, 2015 | Publication

S&T FRG Lost Person Locator and Video

The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), along with dbS Productions—known as the leading source of search and rescue research, publications, and training—has initiated a program to develop guidance, protocols and strategies responders can employ while searching for lost individuals. Called the Lost Person Locator, these guidelines and data sets will be readily available in an easy-to-follow format. First responders in the field will be able to use the Lost Person Locator software to quickly and safely locate missing people.