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Wildfire

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Declaración del DHS sobre seguridad y cumplimiento después de los incendios forestales en Hawái

El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) está trabajando con sus colaboradores federales, estatales, locales y no gubernamentales para apoyar las necesidades de las personas en las áreas afectadas por los devastadores incendios forestales en Hawái.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

DHS Statement on Safety and Enforcement in the Aftermath of the Wildfires in Hawaii

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working with its federal, state, local, and non-governmental partners to support the needs of the people in areas impacted by the devastating wildfires in Hawaii.

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: | Site Page

Wildland Urban Interface Emergency Alerting

Reliable emergency alerting remains an essential tool for all emergency hazard responses in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). This is why DHS S&T and FEMA are leveraging industry partners and state and local first responders to develop new methods for putting emergency alerts into technologies like mapping and navigation applications during emergencies.

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.

Last Updated: | Site Page

Understanding What Responders Need

On this episode of Tech Speak, join S&T in Harbison State Forest, South Carolina, as we test a newly designed respirator tailored to help wildland firefighters breathe easier. These firefighters must travel light and work long days in remote conditions with little to no respiratory protection. They not only battle smoke, dust and flames but also the hazardous respiratory risks that can come with it. Tune in to hear Program Manager Kimberli Jones-Holt explain how responder feedback helped shape the latest prototype of the Wildland Firefighter Respirator. And hear insights from Test Director Hasan Shahid from the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory as he walks through the test and evaluation exercise of this tech that will make a difference on the fire line.  

Last Updated: | Publication

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.