Through the engagement of and partnership with first responders and the emergency preparedness and response community, S&T's First Responders Group (FRG) pursues a better understanding of the response community's needs and requirements, provides technical assistance, and develops innovations to the most pressing challenges faced during day-to-day and large-scale emergencies. These efforts, which help secure the nation through science and technology, are occurring at every stage of technology and solution development, and are involving first responders at the local, state, tribal and federal levels.

First Responder News and Announcements

S&T Supports Radiation Preparedness
July 17, 2018 -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) identified the need for a systematic platform where technically accurate and decision-making information could be easily shared across state, municipal and tribal jurisdictions. They contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) – DHS’s research and development arm – for assistance.

DHS S&T Partners with Texas First Responders for Operational Experimentation
WASHINGTON, July 9, 2018 -- DHS S&T has partnered with several public safety agencies from the Harris County, Texas, area for the Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) – Harris County Operational Experimentation (OpEx) set for December 2018.

U.S. and Canada Kick off Joint Next Generation First Responder Initiative with Artificial Intelligence Field Experiment
WASHINGTON, July 6, 2018 -- A new initiative kicks off today to evaluate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and situational awareness technologies during critical incidents. The effort is a joint partnership between DHS S&T and Canada’s Department of National Defence science and technology organization, Defence Research and Development Canada Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS) to ensure both American and Canadian next generation first responders are better connected, protected and fully aware during critical incidents.

S&T Partners with New Innovators to Bring Smart Cities Technologies to First Responders
WASHINGTON, June 25, 2018 -- S&T and its research and development partners today selected 13 U.S. and international companies to develop smart cities technologies to assist public safety. The research and development work will focus on in-building sensors, unmanned aerial systems and on/off-body mobile SmartHubs, each of which will combine communications and sensors to increase responder situational awareness, building security and enhance mission-critical operations.

For a complete listing of First Responder news articles, visit our S&T Responder News page.

Our Mission

Partnering with first responders at all levels, FRG identifies, validates, and facilitates the fulfillment of needs through the use of existing and emerging technologies, knowledge products, and standards. Prioritized areas of FRG focus and initiatives include:

• Making first responders safer
• Helping first responders share data and critical information
• Helping first responders communicate through interoperability
• Engaging, communicating and partnering with first responders

First Responder Publications

• Download the First Responders Group (FRG) Fact Sheet
• Download the First Responders Group - Prioritizing the Security and Well-Being of Americans Infographic
• Read First Responders Publications and First Responder Fact Sheets.
• Read the latest edition of The Siren, FRG's bi-monthly newsletter.

First Responder Communities of Practice (FRCoP)

First Responder Communities of Practice is a professional networking, collaboration and communication platform created by the Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate to support improved collaboration and information sharing amongst the nation's First Responders and other Federal, State, Tribal, Territorial, and local governments and private sector stakeholders supporting homeland security efforts. This vetted community of members focuses on emergency preparedness, response, recovery and other homeland security issues.

With a FRCoP account, you can:

• Collaborate on wikis, blogs and discussion boards
• Find, share and store documents and best practices
• Create and search profiles
• Connect, chat, and email with other professionals

To request an account, complete the online form on communities.firstresponder.gov

Connect with FRG

Keep up with what FRG is doing in the community.