Chemical and Biological Defense
Chemical and biological attacks pose a significant threat to the nation’s population, infrastructure, economy and security. Quickly and accurately detecting the presence of dangerous chemicals or diseases in communities and transportation hubs is essential to safeguarding public health, especially for first responders. Diagnosing and preventing the spread of foreign diseases among livestock protects family livelihoods and the economic sectors that rely on animal products. The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) partners with authorities across the nation to address these needs through technological innovation and future-focused research. In the areas of human and animal health, S&T equips officials with the resources and information they need to identify, prevent and/or respond to the threat of chemical releases and catastrophic diseases.
Our programs support multi-layered defense capabilities including biosurveillance, threat awareness, prevention, surveillance and detection, forensics and response and recovery.
Current Programs and Projects
- 2017 Technical Assessment of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems Technologies in Cities (TACTIC)
- Activation of Body-Worn Cameras without Responder Manipulation
- Application for Radiological Decontamination
- Bilayer Nanofibers as Wearable Sensors for Detecting Fentanyl
- Bioassays Public Health Actionable Assay
- ChemTag – Personal Chemical Warning Device
- Chemical Consequence and Threat Desktop Tool
- Chemical Forensics Program Providing Law Enforcement with New Forensic Tools for the Investigation of Chemical Attack
- Chemical Security Analysis Center Technical Assistance
- Collaboration Space for Homeland Security Enterprise and First Responders
- Detect to Protect Bio-Aerosol Detection Systems
- DHS NYC Subway Tracer Studies
- Field Detection and Analysis for Fire Gases and Particulates: Metal Organic Frameworks
- Fireground Compass
- First Responder Support Tools (FiRST) Application
- Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine
- Foreign Animal Disease Modeling
- Improving Radiation Confirmation Technology - Development of an Organic Radiochromic Compound for First Responders
- Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks (ICLN)
- Jack Rabbit II Program – Chemical Security Analysis Center
- Multifunctional Textiles for Advanced Personal Protective Equipment
- New York Area Science and Technology (NYAST) Forum
- Performance Test and Evaluation at NUSTL (PTEN)
- Radiological Emergency Management System (REMS)
- Radiological/Nuclear Response and Recovery Research & Development
- RDD Planning Guidance
- Real-Time Biothreat Awareness Program
- Respiratory Protection for Medical Personnel
- Responder Training and Exercise Program (RTE)
- Response and Defeat Operations Support (REDOPS)
- Safeguarding Grand Central Terminal
- Safety, Health, and Environmental Management (SHEMS)
- Smoke and Particulate Resistant Structural Turnout Ensemble
- System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER)
- Wildland Firefighters Advanced Personal Protection System
Additional Resources
The following resources will provide more information about some of our projects.
Videos
Visit the S&T Videos page for project specific videos.
- Operational Field Test of the Smoke and Particulate Resistant Structural Turnout Ensemble
- RDD Response Guidance Planning for the First 100 Minutes
- Respiration Protection for Overhaul
News
Visit the S&T Newsroom for recent news products.
Questions about our Chem/bio program? Please email us at sandt-chembio@dhs.gov.
For more information on how to work with us visit our Work with S&T page or review our Industry Guide.