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Fire

Last Updated: | Site Page

Technology to Reduce the Impacts of Wildfires

As occurrences of extreme weather events increase, including extreme heat and drought, more and more communities will face the threat of devastating wildfire events.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley to Advise Department of Homeland Security

In light of the increased focus on the increasing proliferation of fire as a threat to community safety and security, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the appointment of Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin M. Crowley to the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC). A 22-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), Crowley is the first woman and the first LGBTQ Fire Chief to lead the LAFD.  She will be sworn in at the HSAC’s next meeting on September 14, 2023.  

Last Updated: | Publication

Wildland Fire Sensors R&D

Wildland fires are a clear and present danger to the U.S. and the world. S&T is developing and testing a new form of wildfire sensor that detects near-term ignitions. This paper provides an update on 200 Alpha phase sensors deployed in the U.S., Canada, and Germany with promising early results—including several wildfires identified within 30 to 60 minutes of ignition.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

S&T Tests Next Generation Flood and Wildfire Alerting Technology

DHS S&T in collaboration with FEMA IPAWS, conducted a demonstration of new technology that integrates unattended flood and wildfire sensors with IPAWS Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN).

Last Updated: | Speeches

Secretary Mayorkas Remarks to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service

Secretary Mayorkas delivered the following remarks at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. 

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Feature Article: Breakthrough Alert Messaging for a Mobile Public

S&T and FEMA are working to get real-time wildfire alerts to the public through their vehicles.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Feature Article: Stoking Wildfire Resilience in Oregon

S&T, Oregon Hazards Lab are piloting smoke detection sensors ahead of the 2023 wildfire season.

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Wildland Firefighter Respirator Device Operational Field Assessment Report

The Wildland Firefighter Respirator Device (WFRD) is a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) that is designed to provide protection against both gas and particulate respiratory hazards, and withstand the extreme environmental conditions associated with wildland firefighting operations. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and TDA Research, Inc. funded and managed the development of the WFRD prototype in a chest-mounted version and a hip-mounted version. The WFRD is intended to be lightweight and low-profile for long duty shifts, and easy to use in remote locations.

Last Updated: | Publication

Android Team Awareness Kit for Wildland Fire Incident Response

Analysis by the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), in collaboration with project stakeholders, has identified a communication system that can help first responders identify, track, and coordinate resources during a rapidly developing wildfire incident. The Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) is a government-off-the-shelf application for Android smartphones.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

DHS Tests Next Generation WUI Alerting Technology

DHS S&T concluded a proof-of-concept demonstration of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) integration model in Fairfax County, VA.