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 Announces FY19 Small Business Innovation Research Topics
  Nov. 30, 2018 -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has posted topics for the DHS Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 19.1 Pre-Solicitation. The Pre-Solicitation contains 10 topic descriptions, eight from the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and two from the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office
• News Release: DHS Partners with Industry for Operational Experimentation in Houston, Texas
  Nov. 20, 2018 -- Through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is partnering with industry to evaluate first responder technologies. DHS, industry partners and 13 local Houston-area public safety agencies will integrate existing first responder technology with DHS-developed and commercial technology during a HAZMAT scenario.
• Snapshot: S&T, N.C. Partner to Test Flood Sensors, Build Resilience
  Nov. 6, 2018 -- Hurricane Florence smashed into North Carolina on September 14, 2018. Although upon landfall it registered as only a Category 1 storm (winds clocking between 74-95 miles per hour), it brought with it an 11-foot storm surge. As the tempest stalled over the state, it dumped well-over 30 inches of rain in some areas.  The flooding was devastating, dozens of people perished in the storm, and early estimates put the financial losses in the billions.
• News Release: New Virtual Training Gives First Responders and Educators an ‘EDGE’ on School
  Nov. 1, 2018 -- First responders and educators now have a new, free tool at their disposal to help ensure the safety of our nation’s schools, as well as the students and faculty within them. Developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), the U.S. Army Simulation and Training Technology Center (STTC), and Cole Engineering Services Inc. (CESI), the Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environment (EDGE), a virtual training platform, allows teachers, school staff, law enforcement officers, and others tasked with school security to create and practice response plans for a wide range of critical incidents.
• Snapshot: The International Forum to Advance First Responder Innovation (IFAFRI) Creating a Market for Innovative & Affordable Responder Technology
  Oct. 30, 2018 -- First responders around the globe share a common mission to ensure the safety and security of the people they serve, as they often respond to complex and evolving natural and manmade disasters. To respond more effectively, safely and efficiently to both small and large-scale emergencies, the world’s first responders share a common need for technologically advanced tools and equipment that are also affordable.
• Snapshot: S&T Provides Real-Time Technology Solutions in Response to Major Hurricanes
  Oct. 18, 2018 -- As Hurricane Florence approached the United States East Coast this September and Hurricane Michael approached Florida, emergency managers and responders looked to predictive, situational awareness and decision support tools to help them prepare for the impending landfall and to respond once the storm arrived.
• Snapshot: Public Safety Agencies Pilot Artificial Intelligence to Aid in First Response
  Oct. 16, 2018 -- Imagine a first responder answering the call to a natural disaster, a house fire, or an active shooter incident where there may be multiple injuries and unknown casualties. The information the responder needs to fulfill the mission is immeasurable. When you also consider the volume of data they receive from other responders, dispatch, command centers, victims, and onlookers while receiving and relaying information to medical personnel, it becomes clear that responders have to synthesize a large amount of life-saving information in a short amount of time. This can lead to information overload.
• Snapshot: Testing Locations for Homemade Explosives Keep the Traveling Public Safe
  Oct. 2, 2018 -- Nearly 3,000 improvised explosive device (IED) incidents occurred in the United States in 2017, killing 10 people and wounding dozens. The clear and present threat of homemade explosives (HMEs) continues to evolve in the United States as the nation’s enemies constantly adapt to the state-of-the-art in explosives detection with stealthier, deadlier tactics.

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

Recent Publications

• 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.
• Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) Implementation Guide
  This document serves as a source of Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) Implementation Guides resulting from the evaluation of publicly available documents and the implementation of ICAM-enabled systems in a sandbox.
• S&T First Responders Infographic
  DHS S&T works closely with first responders, academia, research and development organizations, industry, innovators and venture capitalists to use science to help strengthen our first responders and the nation. Check out our infographic to learn more on how S&T is helping protect our homeland.

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.

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 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&T) 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 S&T 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 S&T’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.