Location: Manhattan, NY
The men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our communities and citizens need to know they can rely on the tools they use in emergencies. New technologies are developed every day to enhance responder performance and safety, but are they durable? Will they perform under pressure? That’s what the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) aims to ensure.
As a federal laboratory organized within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), NUSTL brings together the interests and initiatives of the Homeland Security Enterprise with the first responder community. The laboratory’s mission activities in test and evaluation (T&E) and research and development (R&D) help first responders prepare, protect and respond to homeland security threats.
NUSTL serves as a central and trusted federal resource to support the successful development, evaluation and transition of homeland security technologies into field use for law enforcement, fire and other emergency response agencies. Staff experts work side-by-side with the nation’s first responders to effectively plan and execute tests, evaluations and assessments of existing and emerging technologies.
The laboratory also works to enhance first responder capabilities by partnering with stakeholders to develop viable solutions to radiological and nuclear threats. NUSTL’s Radiological/Nuclear Response and Recovery (RNRR) Team strategically invests in R&D that can characterize and manage a radiological incident, save lives and minimize the impacts on communities through incident stabilization and radiological clean-up. Specifically, NUSTL secures the homeland through:
Collaboration — NUSTL has conducted more than 50 unique New York Area Science and Technology (NYAST) forums. Hundreds of NYAST members from all levels of government and the public safety community are invited to NYAST forums that focus on pressing issues in homeland security and the latest advancements in science and technology.
Experimentation — NUSTL facilitates Urban Operational Experimentations involving scenario-based tests of emerging technologies with first responders and developers. NUSTL also conducts mission-critical focus groups and field assessments of emerging and commercial technologies.
Guidance and Tools — NUSTL’s actionable guidance and technology solutions enhance response and recovery capabilities during a radiological or nuclear emergency.
Innovation — NUSTL was the first component within DHS to be awarded a U.S. patent for an invention conceived by its employees.
- Patent #7781747, "Citizen’s Dosimeter", is a high-tech plastic card that would be as convenient and affordable as a subway card, with the capability to measure the amount of radiation on a person or in a given area.
- Patent #11,140,476 B1, "Remote Audible Alarm Accessory for Detection Instruments with Audio Outputs" would be set up at community reception centers to screen members of the public in the event of a radiological or nuclear incident.
Lab Testing — Inside of our test laboratory located in the heart of New York City, NUSTL conducts functional testing of radiation detection equipment to ensure operational readiness before the equipment is used by responders in the field. NUSTL has received, tested and redeployed approximately 30,000 units of radiation detection equipment for use by first responder agencies.
Product Assessments — NUSTL has published more than 1,000 knowledge products and technical reports to inform first responders in better selecting, purchasing, using and maintaining homeland security equipment and technologies. These products can be accessed on the System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER®) program page of the DHS website: https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/saver.
Rad Safety Subject Matter Experts — NUSTL’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission license is maintained for radiation sources, which are safely handled by staff during trainings and exercises conducted by federal, state, local and first responder agencies. NUSTL’s subject matter experts provide extensive knowledge and technical expertise in the areas of radiation safety, detection, response and recovery.
For more information, please contact nustl@hq.dhs.gov.
- Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) Testing and Evaluation
- Energy Innovation and Public Safety (EIPS)
- First Responder Technologies Operational Field Assessments (OFA)
- New York Area Science and Technology (NYAST)
- Performance Test and Evaluation at NUSTL (PTEN)
- Radiological/Nuclear Response and Recovery (RNRR) Research and Development
- System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER)
- Urban Operational Experimentation (OpEx) 2022
Annual Reports and Posters
Fact Sheets
- Big City Fire Working Group
- Collaboration Space for Homeland Security Enterprise and First Responders
- Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Technical Support
- Critical Incident Management Technology Assessment (CIMTA)
- Energy Innovation and Public Safety (EIPS)
- National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) Overview
- New York Area Science and Technology (NYAST) Forum
- Operational Field Assessments (OFA)
- Performance Test and Evaluation at NUSTL (PTEN)
- Preparing Communities for Recovery Following a Radiological Incident
- Radiological Data Quality Assessment Toolkit
- Radiological / Nuclear Response and Recovery Research & Development
- System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER)
- Urban Operational Experimentation (OpEx)
- Using Your Radiation Detectors For Interdiction and Response
- Visualizing a Nuclear Detonation and Response
- Wide-Area Background Radiation Survey Technical Guidance for Response
Media
- Blog: Preparing for the Unlikely
- Blog: Fighting Fire with Knowledge on Lithium-ion Battery Hazards
- Blog: S&T and FEMA Cosponsoring Nationwide Drill for Radiation Emergencies
- Blog: Surveying the Technology Landscape for Temperature Screening Innovations
- Feature Article: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Help Responders in Urban Environments
- Feature Article: Changes to the National Electrical Code Will Enhance the Safety of Firefighters and the Public
- Feature Article: Unmanned Aircraft Systems for First Responders in Rural Environments
- Feature Article: Communications From Above
- Feature Article: The Evolution of National Laboratories and National Security
- Feature Article: Putting our Heads Together for Firefighter Safety
- Feature Article: Reimagining Gunshot Detection for Enhanced Community Safety
- Feature Article: Field Testing a New Firefighter Respirator
- Feature Article: Montana Skies Provide the Perfect Backdrop for Testing Border Security Tech
- Feature Article: S&T Collaborates with Federal Partners to Improve Air Domain Awareness at the Northern Border
- Feature Article: Urban OpEx - New York City is a Testbed for First Responder Tech
- Feature Article: We Do the Science—Securing the Homeland
- News Release: DHS S&T Releases Market Survey Report for Non-Detonable Training Aids for Explosive Detection Canines
- News Release: DHS Concludes Innovative Technology OpEx to Strengthen Urban First Responder Operations
- News Release: DHS Laboratory NUSTL Receives Patent for Remote Alarm
- News Release: DHS S&T Develops Portable Outdoor Gunshot Detection Technology for Law Enforcement
- News Release: Enhanced Rescue Hoist Glove Available for Responders
- News Release: New Digital Indoor Mapping Capability Now Available for First Responders
- News Release: S&T Seeks to Test Innovative First Responder Technologies at Urban OpEx 2022
- TechSpeak Podcast: From Zero to a Hundred in a Second
- TechSpeak Podcast: Almost Like You're Watching a Video Game
- TechSpeak Podcast: One Step Ahead of the Bad Guys
- TechSpeak Podcast: Shot Detected
- TechSpeak Podcast: Understanding What Responders Need
- TechSpeak Podcast: Putting the Platform Above
- Video: NUSTL Urban Operational Exercise
Radiological/Nuclear Response and Recovery Guidance and Tools
- Obtaining Models and Simulations for Radiological/Nuclear Trainings and Exercises Summary
- Optimizing Radioactive Contamination Screening at Community Reception Centers Report
- Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) Response Guidance Planning for the First 100 Minutes
- Remote Alarm Accessory for Radioactive Contamination Screening at Community Reception Centers Report
- Status of Guidance and Scientific Knowledge on Using Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems for Protection During Radiological/Nuclear Emergencies
- Using Preventative Radiological Nuclear Detection Equipment for Consequence Management Missions Operational Job Aids