Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) Apex Program
The Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) Apex Program works with first responders across the country to ensure the technology they use while responding to an emergency keeps them better protected, connected and fully aware.
Watch the Next Generation First Responder II Video
Participate in Our Current Projects
- Integration Demonstrations
Through Integration Demonstrations, we have integrated DHS-developed technology with technologies that are commercially available for first responders, creating a standards-based “plug‑and‑play” environment. - Next Generation First Responder Integration Handbook
We have collaborated with first responders, public safety agencies and industry to provide recommendations on the design and development of interoperable first responder technologies.
Contact us at NGFR@hq.dhs.gov.
About NGFR
The Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) Apex Program is a five-year program that began in January 2015 but is part of a longer-term Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) commitment to envision and assist the responder of the future. NGFR continually collaborates with first responders across the nation on various projects -- from developing program requirements to testing prototypes of technology. These cutting-edge technologies will improve emergency response time and accelerate decision-making to save more lives.
NGFR is comprised of more than 40 research and development projects geared towards making responders better protected, connected and fully aware. NGFR will incrementally deliver these capabilities over the program cycle and will continue to partner with first responders to test and evaluate technologies before they are available on the market.
News
- Snapshot: Putting Next Generation Technology in the Hands of Birmingham First Responders
- Press Release: U.S. – Canada Partnership to Enhance Paramedic Decision Making Through Artificial Intelligence
- Snapshot: Realistic Exercise Tests Information Flow, Technology Solutions in a Real World Urban Environment
- News Release: DHS S&T Partners with Industry and Alabama Emergency Responders to Evaluate Technology Integration
- News Release: Deadline Extended to Submit Technology for Integrated First Responder Experiment in Birmingham
- News Release: DHS S&T Calls for Technology Submissions for Integrated First Responder Experiment in Birmingham
- News Release DHS S&T Holds Operational Experiment in Houston
- Snapshot: VitalTag Delivers Faster Response Time for Paramedics
- Snapshot: Public Safety Agencies Pilot Artificial Intelligence to Aid in First Response
- S&T Helps First Responders Mitigate Potential Jamming
- DHS S&T Awards Metronome Software $750K to Strengthen Security of First Responder Sensor Systems
Fact Sheets and Videos
- 2016 First Responder Electronic Jamming Exercise Fact Sheet
- 2016 First Responder Electronic Jamming Exercise Video
- 2017 First Responder Electronic Jamming Exercise Fact Sheet and Video
- 2018 NGFR – Harris County Operational Experimentation Fact Sheet
- Assistant for Understanding Data through Reasoning, Extraction and Synthesis (AUDREY) Fact Sheet and Video
- Future of First Response: System Summary Video
- Future of First Response: Vision for Emergency Medical Services Video
- Future of First Response: Vision for Firefighting Video
- Future of First Response: Vision for Police Video
- Mobile Ad-hoc Networking (MANET) to Improve Public Safety Situational Awareness Fact Sheet
- Next Generation First Responder Communication Hub Fact Sheet
- Next Generation First Responder Fact Sheet and Video
- Next Generation First Responder Integration Demo Fact Sheet
- Next Generation First Responder Internet of Things (IoT) Pilot Phase 1 Fact Sheet
- Next Generation First Responder Technology Integration Handbook Fact Sheet and Video
- Physiological Monitoring Fact Sheet
- Wearable Alert and Monitoring System (WAMS) Fact Sheet
- Wearable Alert and Monitoring System (WAMS) Video
For other S&T fact sheets and videos, visit the First Responders Fact Sheets and First Responder Videos pages.
Publications
For other S&T publications, visit the First Responder Publications page.
For knowledge products developed from specific NGFR Integration Demonstrations, including after action reports, case studies, how-to guides or playbooks, see the NGFR Integration Demonstrations page.
- Electronic Jamming Infographic
- Grant County – DHS Science and Technology Directorate Next Generation First Responder Apex Program Technology Experiment (TechEx) After Action Report
- Grant County – Next Generation First Responder How-To Guide: Configuring a Raspberry Pi Location Sensor
- Grant County – Next Generation First Responder Case Study: Deployable Communications
- Grant County – Next Generation First Responder Case Study: Location Services
- Grant County – Next Generation First Responder Case Study: Situational Awareness
- Grant County – Next Generation First Responder Case Study: Physiological Monitoring
- Grant County – Next Generation First Responder Case Study: Video Services
- Next Generation First Responder - Making Responders Better Protected, Connected and Fully Aware
- Next Generation First Responder Infographic
- NGFR Integration Handbook
- Project Responder 5