The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) serves a pivotal role in the research, development, test, and evaluation of technologies designed to support first responders. This initiative is essential for providing firefighters, law enforcement, emergency management personnel and other front-line operators with state-of-the-art tools and systems that enhance their operational efficiency and safety.
S&T's approach to first responder technologies is characterized by strong collaboration with federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, as well as private industry and academic partners. This collaborative effort ensures that the technologies developed are not only on the cutting-edge, but also tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by first responders in diverse environments. By continually advancing first responder technologies, S&T enhances the capabilities and safety of emergency personnel, thereby strengthening the overall resilience and preparedness of communities across the nation.
Our work focuses on:
- Improved Safety and Protection
- Enhanced Situational Awareness
- Communication and Coordination
- Rapid Response and Deployment
- Training and Simulation
- Adaptation to Emerging Threats
- Resource Efficiency
- Collaboration
Watch
News
- Feature Article: SARCOP: One Team. One Mission. One Map.
- News Release: DHS S&T Marks National Preparedness Month with Colorado Wildfire Sensor Delivery and First Responder Forum
- Feature Article: Communications From Above
- Feature Article: Edge Computing at the Wildfire’s Edge
- News Release: DHS S&T to Make Innovative Fire Safety Technology Available to Fire Departments for Real-World Testing
- Feature Article: What if Law Enforcement Could 'See' Through Walls?
- Feature Article: Picturing the Future of Firefighting
- Feature Article: Reimagining Gunshot Detection for Enhanced Community Safety
- News Release: DHS S&T Develops Portable Outdoor Gunshot Detection Technology for Law Enforcement
- TechSpeak Minisode Podcast: Understanding What Responders Nee
Resources
- Bellbird Aerial Communications Platform Fact Sheet
- Detection of Presence of Life through Walls Fact Sheet
- Detection of Presence of Life (DePLife) Prototype Operational Field Assessment Report
- C-THRU Operational Field Assessment Report
- First Responders Technologies Fact Sheet
- Precision Outdoor & Indoor Navigation Tracking (POINTER Phase II)
- Real-Time Indoor Visualization System Fact Sheet
Resources from concluded programs are available for reference.
- Activation of Body-Worn Cameras without Responder Manipulation Fact Sheet
- Ambulance and Patient Compartment Safety and Design Standards Fact Sheet
- Assistant for Understanding Data through Reasoning, Extraction and Synthesis (AUDREY) Fact Sheet
- Automated Driver and Responder Alert System (ADRAS) Fact Sheet
- Automated Speech Recognition Technology—Hands-free Solutions for First Responders Fact Sheet
- Board Armor® Backboard Cover Fact Sheet
- Data Upload Mechanism for First Responders Fact Sheet
- Digital Encoder Fact Sheet
- Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environment (EDGE)
- Emergency Data Exchange Language Suite of Standards Fact Sheet
- Emergency Vehicle Alert for Civilians and Responders Fact Sheet
- Emergency Vehicle Warning System (HAAS Alert) Virtual Technology Demonstration Report
- Field Detection and Analysis for Fire Gases and Particulates: Metal Organic Frameworks Fact Sheet
- Firefighter Accountability and Proximity (FFAP) System Fact Sheet
- Firefighter Incident Commander Training Simulator
- Fireground Compass Fact Sheet
- Gunshot Protection Systems Fact Sheet
- Gunshot Detection System Operational Field Assessment Report
- Hybrid Public Safety Microphone (Turtle Command™) Fact Sheet
- Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)
- Imaging System for Immersive Surveillance Fact Sheet
- Improving Model Capabilities Fact Sheet
- Improving Radiation Confirmation Technology -- Development of an Organic Radiochromic Compound for First Responders Fact Sheet
- Incident Management Information Sharing (IMIS) Capability Maturity Model (CMM) Fact Sheet
- Information Sharing Assessment Tool (ISAT)
- Integration of Video Data to Improve Situational Awareness in Response to an Active Shooter Event Fact Sheet
- Leveraging Existing Video Cameras for Radiation Detection Capabilities Fact Sheet
- Lost Person Locator Fact Sheet and Video
- Mobile Biometrics
- Network Extension: WideBridge™ Fact Sheet
- Next Generation First Responder 2018 Harris County Operational Experimentation Fact Sheet
- Next Generation First Responder Birmingham Shaken Fury Operational Experimentation Fact Sheet and Video
- Next Generation First Responder Communication Hub Fact Sheet
- Next Generation First Responder Fact Sheet
- Next Generation First Responder Internet of Things (IoT) Fact Sheet
- Next Gen First Responder: Technology Integration Handbook Fact Sheet and Video
- Next Generation Incident Command System (NICS)
- News-Extracting Reader and Filter for Helping Emergency Responders Deliver Effective Results (NERFHERDER) Data Collection Report
- Overhead Imagery
- Pat-Down Accuracy Training Tool (PATT) Fact Sheet
- Personal Area Network (PAN) Interference and Compatibility Issues for Public Safety Personal Protective Equipment Fact Sheet
- Post Tracking System (PTS) Fact Sheet
- Prepaid Card Reader Fact Sheet
- Protecting Citizens and Responders Fact Sheet
- QuickRoute—Mobile Emergency Routing Services for First Responder Vehicles Fact Sheet and Video
- QuickRoute Operational Field Assessment Reports
- Radio Internet-Protocol Communications Module (RIC-M) Fact Sheet
- Radiological Emergency Management System (REMS) Fact Sheet
- Response: A Building Floor Plan Digital Mapping Tool Virtual Assessment Report
- Sensor-Smart Affordable Autonomous Robotic Platform-SAARP (2014)
- Shaken Fury 2019
- Standard Unified Modeling, Mapping and Integration Toolkit (SUMMIT) Fact Sheet
- Virtual Shooter Fact Sheet
- Video-Based Training Helps Create Expert Border Patrol Trackers Fact Sheet
- Video Quality in Public Safety (VQiPS) Fact Sheet
- Wireless Physiological and Environmental Monitoring (WiPEM) Fact Sheet
- X-Ray Scanning Rover (XSR) Fact Sheet