First Responder News & Videos
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
- News Release: DHS Releases Compliance Assessment Bulletin for 30 Day Public Comment
Feb. 13, 2019 -- Project 25 Compliance Assessment Program seeks feedback on Compliance Assessment Bulletin for new program testing requirements. - News Release: DHS Awards Florida Company $199K for Canine Wearables
Feb. 12, 2019 -- DHS S&T has awarded $199,540 to Orlando, Florida-based HaloLights, LLC to begin prototype testing of canine wearable technology. - News Release: DHS S&T Calls for Technology Submissions for Integrated First Responder Experiment in Birmingham
Feb. 11, 2019 -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) wants to assess new technology solutions for first responders. Today, S&T released a Request for Information (RFI) for participation in the Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) – Birmingham Shaken Fury Operational Experimentation (OpEx) scheduled for the week of August 5, 2019, in Birmingham, Alabama. - News Release: DHS S&T Holds Operational Experiment in Houston
Feb. 7, 2019 -- More than 220 participants from 13 Houston-area public safety agencies and 20 industry partners tested first responder technology integration in a December exercise at the Port of Houston. Led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), the Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) – Harris County Operational Experimentation (OpEx) included the United States Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Office of Emergency Communications. - S&T Combatting Human Trafficking Using Social Science
Jan. 30, 2019 -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) seeks to advance the mission and capabilities of the Department to protect basic human liberties: the right to freedom and the right to be free from exploitation and enslavement.
For a complete listing of First Responder news articles, visit the S&T News page.
Recent Publications
- Automated Driver and Responder Alert System Operational Field Assessment Report
DHS S&T’s First Responder Technologies Division initiated a project with the goal of enhancing roadway safety for first responders. Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) developed the Automated Driver and Responder Alert System (ADRAS) prototype to assist in reaching this goal. ADRAS intends to serve as a holistic system to enhance roadway safety for emergency personnel by alerting drivers as they approach emergency scenes and giving them specific collision avoidance instructions; additionally, it provides responders a warning of inbound vehicular threats with sufficient lead-time to take protective action. ADRAS uses a roof mounted radar and loudspeaker to accomplish these tasks. - Handheld Radionuclide Identification Devices Assessment Report
In June 2017, the SAVER Program conducted an operationally oriented assessment of handheld radionuclide identification devices (RIDs). Four RIDs were assessed by emergency responders at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York. The criteria and scenarios used in this assessment were developed with the input from a focus group of emergency responders with experience using RIDs. The assessment addressed 29 evaluation criteria in five SAVER categories: Affordability, Capability, Deployability, Maintainability and Usability. - Multifunctional Textiles for Advanced Personal Protective Equipment
Luna Innovations has designed an advanced uniform incorporating a suite of technologies that, when combined, will be able to provide a lightweight base garment ensemble that can be worn daily and will be capable of withstanding potential hazards for a limited period of time. - Report on Alerting Tactics
The purpose of this Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Report on Alerting Tactics (Report) is to provide recommendations on effective combinations of alerting tactics for various incident types based upon lessons learned from practitioners. - 2018 Video Quality in Public Safety (VQiPS) Workshop Summary Report
This two-day Workshop featured more than 30 panelists spread over 16 sessions, covering topics including policy considerations for video use, analytics, forensics, mobile video and multiple case studies. - Digital Volunteer Program Guide
The purpose of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Digital Volunteer Program Guide (Guide) is to provide step-by-step guidance on developing a digital volunteer program to support emergency responders. - Social Media Business Case Guide
The purpose of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Social Media Business Case Guide (Guide) is to provide step-by-step guidance on how to develop a Business Case for integrating the use of social media into emergency management operations. - Behavior Detection Visual Search Task Analysis Project Visual Search Battery Report
The goal of the program is to identify high-risk travelers and subject them to additional screening. This report describes the results of an empirical study that addressed these research goals and furthered DHS S&T’s understanding of the visual search process required for successful BD performance. - Activation of Body-Worn Cameras without Responder Manipulation Operational Field Assessment Report
The DHS S&T National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) conducted an OFA of the prototypes and critical event sensors on March 27, 2018, at NUSTL in New York, New York. Four individuals from law enforcement organizations in Arizona, Illinois, New York and Virginia served as evaluators. The evaluators used the prototypes and critical event sensors in different operationally relevant scenarios to assess their suitability for use by law enforcement personnel. - Resilient Communications Project: Body Worn Camera Perception Study Phase 1 Memorandum Report
This report is a literature review summary of the current state of research and associated findings related to law enforcement personnel perceptions of an incident/event compared with data/video acquired from BWC devices.
For a complete listing of First Responder publications, visit the First Responder Publications and First Responder Fact Sheets pages.
Recent Videos
Web-based HURREVAC
When a hurricane threatens, emergency planners need sophisticated tools to plan and execute necessary evacuations. The new Web-based HURREVAC system provides exactly what’s needed to anticipate hurricane impacts and train for and provide timely, accurate evacuations to protect lives and property.
Deployable Public Safety Networks
First responders often work in environments where cellular and land mobile radio services are unavailable. The portable LTE system being developed by S&T enables responders to establish reliable voice and data communication networks wherever they need them.
Visit First Responders Videos for a complete video listing.