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First Responders

Last Updated: | Site Page

The First Responder Group Doesn't Just Do Widgets

Host Dee Saini sits down with fellow Seattleite Paul McDonagh to discuss the stories beyond the “widgets” and how Paul came to lead not only S&T’s First Responder Capability R&D portfolio, but also the First Responder Resource Group.

Last Updated: | Site Page

SBIR Showcase FR

Through the DHS SBIR Program, small business innovators are developing new technologies to keep first responders, emergency managers, and incident commanders better protected, connected, and prepared to safeguard the homeland and respond to disasters.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

DHS Concludes Innovative Technology OpEx

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and its National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) hosted Urban OpEx 2022, an Operational Experimentation (OpEx) where first responders evaluated new and emerging technology solutions in realistic, urban settings throughout the New York Metropolitan area during the week of July 18 - 22.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Feature Article: Will the Sun Soon Power First Responders?

Fabric woven to harness solar power recently completed weaving trials. The fabric will ultimately be used to design high-functioning gear that can keep responders’ tech charged and ready.

Last Updated: | Blog

Technologically Speaking…

DHS Science and Technology Directorate launches the Technologically Speaking podcast, a collection of personal accounts and the stories behind the science. 

Last Updated: | Publication

Detection of Presence of Life through Walls Fact Sheet

For law enforcement officers looking for victims and hunting criminals, searching around corners and behind blind spots can be time-consuming and dangerous. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Detection of Presence of Life through Walls system is a radar-based capability that will enable officers to safely detect life behind walls, barricades, household objects, and doors and will enhance their situational awareness and potentially save lives.

Last Updated: | Blog

Bringing Tech Solutions to Global First Responders 

S&T sent a delegation to INTERSCHUTZ 2022 in Germany to share recent R&D successes and gather important feedback from international stakeholders

Last Updated: | Publication

Project Responder 6 Report

Project Responder is designed to document emergency response capability needs across significant changes in the operating environment. The innovative approach this data collection effort—now in its sixth generation—takes is to bring together responders from traditional (fire service, law enforcement, emergency medical services, emergency management) and non-traditional (public health, public works, medical examiner/coroner, search and rescue) response agencies to focus on identifying and prioritizing needs across disciplines. The Science and Technology Directorate funds Project Responder and uses the outcomes to guide research, development, and acquisition decisions for the response community.

Last Updated: | Blog

Shelter from the Storm(s)

S&T is working alongside the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers, Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center, and Cummins Inc. to design H2Rescue—a hydrogen fuel cell-powered truck that will serve as a lifeline to responders and community members during response and recovery efforts.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

New Digital Indoor Mapping Capability Now Available for First Responders

DHS S&T funded the development of a cloud-based capability that enables first responders to review and analyze indoor floor plans in real-time when responding to incidents.