Interested in what we’re working on? Our First Responder News page provides publications, videos, and information about first responder technologies and resources. For a complete listing of first responder news articles, visit the S&T Responder News page.

Recent News

• New Free S&T App Tracks Locations, Vitals, Keeping First Responders Safe
  June 12, 2018 -- S&T funded the development of the Watchtower mobile application, which -- as of February 27, 2018 -- is available, free of charge for all public safety users. The app allows users to track and report their location using the GPS already built into a smartphone.
• SAVER: A Responder Resource for Technology Info
  May 23, 2018 -- S&T established the System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) Program to assist emergency responders making procurement decisions. Managed by S&T’s National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, the SAVER Program conducts operationally oriented assessments and validations on commercial equipment and systems, and provides those results along with other relevant information to the emergency response community.

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

Recent Publications

• Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) Acquisition Guidance
  The Public Safety Communications (PSC) Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) Working Group (WG) performed an assessment of available policy, procurement, grant, and other solicitation sources for ICAM procurement language across the Federal and State marketplace. This document provides guidance to the Public Safety Community (Community) to enhance existing infrastructure to include ICAM principles.
• Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) Common Appendices
  This document familiarizes readers with frequently used terms in ICAM which are used in other accompanying documents like the ICAM Executive Primer and Acquisition Guidance.
• Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) Executive Primer
  This document provides the educational background of ICAM for all levels of any organization (Executive Leadership, Project Managers and Solution Architects).
• Tactical Eyewear Focus Group Report
  Seven emergency responders from various jurisdictions who collectively have expertise in policing, criminal investigation, firefighting, paramedics, special weapons and tactics, and bomb squads took part in the tactical eyewear focus group. Their recommendations are documented in this report.
• Next Generation First Responder Case Study: Situational Awareness
  This study identifies and explains the technologies used in the TechEx and presents a case study that can be used by public safety agencies as an example of how first responder agencies can implement situational awareness systems.

For a complete listing of First Responder publications, visit the FRG Publications and FRG Fact Sheets pages.

Recent Videos

•  ScreenADAPT
  ScreenADAPT, a visual search training program developed by DHS S&T in cooperation with the Transportation Security Administration, has been implemented by Portland (PDX) airport. Transportation Security Officers describe how ScreenADAPT has impacted their operations.

Visit First Responders Videos for a complete video listing.

Responder Spotlights

Randall T. Sterett
Meet Bomb Technician and First Responder Resource Group member Randall T. Sterett, a 30-year veteran of Orange County (CA) Sheriff’s Department.

Jeremy DeMar
S&T’s First Responders Group relies on experienced emergency response and preparedness professionals—the First Responder Resource Group—to guide its research and development efforts. Meet one of the group’s newest members: Jeremy DeMar, public safety emergency communications supervisor at the Rochester (New York) Emergency Communications Department and Monroe County 911 Center.

Jill Ramaker
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) First Responders Group (FRG) relies on experienced emergency response and preparedness professionals to guide its research and development efforts. The First Responder Resource Group (FRRG) fills that role. Our latest FRRG member spotlight focuses on Jill Ramaker, director of the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA).

Dan Dooley
New York City Police Department Captain Dan Dooley discusses his work on the Narcotics, VICE, and Gang Squad in South Manhattan along with his take on becoming a member of the First Responder Resource Group.

Robert McLafferty
There is never a “typical day” for Fire Chief Robert McLafferty, fire chief of the Herman Volunteer Fire Company (VFC) and 911 Coordinator for Butler County, Pennsylvania. In his view, every day presents different challenges and new opportunities.

Jack Hanagriff
At eight-years old, Jack Hanagriff already knew exactly what he wanted to do when he grew up: he wanted to serve the public. “Public service is in my blood,” he said. “I just knew I wanted to do something that allowed me to help people, and this is one of the best ways to be able to do that."

Shannon Buhl
First responders, such as the Cherokee Nation’s Marshal Shannon Buhl, in tribal jurisdictions face many challenges on a daily basis. Marshal Buhl explained what it’s like being a tribal responder in a remote area.

Patricia J. Dukes
Meet Patricia J. Dukes, Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for the George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates and a longtime member of the FRRG.

Paul D. Laney
The Sheriff of Cass County, North Dakota is a member of the DHS S&T First Responder Resource Group.

Jason Smith
Jason Smith had planned on a life in the military. But one of life’s unexpected turns left him with a severed Achilles tendon and an end to his ROTC scholarship. Suddenly looking for other options, Smith knew he wanted to take on a career that would allow him to serve his community and have a positive impact on other people’s lives.

Soheila Ajabshir
Meet Soheila Ajabshir, GIS Systems analyst and programmer with the Miami-Dade County Information Technology Department and member of the DHS S&T First Responder Resource Group.

Dave Saitta
Meet Lt. Dave Saitta, Calumet City, Illinois, firefighter and paramedic. Like many in the field of public safety, his personal story influenced the path of his career — which, believe it or not, initially began in the construction field.

Josh Dennis
Meet Joshua Dennis, Chicago Fire Department District Chief and member of the DHS S&T First Responder Resource Group.

Dr. Carol A. Cunningham
Dr. Carol Cunningham has taken every opportunity to teach, learn and further her education, and has received a multitude of degrees, licensures and certifications throughout her medical career.

Andrew Wordin
Meet Battalion Chief Andrew Wordin of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). An FRRG member for five years, Wordin has advised FRG on the development of several technologies, most recently the EDGE Virtual Training project.

Anne Jensen
Meet Anne M. Jensen, a paramedic and Resource Access Program (RAP) Coordinator for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Steve Vandewalle
Meet Steve Vandewalle, paramedic and firefighter for the San Diego Fire Department (SDFD). Vandewalle’s participation in recent field tests for FRG’s Improved Structure Firefighting Glove was instrumental to the project’s progress, and we were curious about how this protective equipment might enhance his daily performance.