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Breadcrumb

  1. Science and Technology
  2. Research & Development
  3. First Responder Capability
  4. First Responder Technologies
  5. System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER)

System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) Program

Battery-Powered Rescue Tools for Vehicle Extrication

SAVER video presents results of tool assessments.

Walk-Through Screening for Mass Casualty Threats

SAVER TechNote provides an overview. 

Crowd Analysis Technologies

SAVER Market Survey Report delivers a commercial marketplace snapshot of tech systems. 

Augmented and Virtual Reality Training Systems

SAVER Market Survey Report offers a commercial marketplace snapshot. 

Body Worn Cameras with Automatic Activation

SAVER Market Survey Report provides a commercial marketplace snapshot. 

Blue UAS for First Responders

SAVER Focus Group Report recommends Blue UAS evaluation criteria to use in a future assessment.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) manages the SAVER Program to assist emergency responders in making procurement decisions. Since its inception in 2004, the SAVER Program has produced more than 1,100 publications. These publications—which include focus group, market survey and assessment reports, as well as technotes, application notes, handbooks, guides and other documents—are described in detail on the SAVER Document Descriptions page. They provide valuable information to assist responders and purchasers with procurement decisions.

SAVER publications often contain a list and description of standards relevant to specific types of equipment. The SAVER Guidance for Use of Standards When Selecting and Purchasing Responder Equipment explains how to make practical use of this information for procurement. It covers what standards are, why they are important, how to verify that standards are met, and how to include requirements for the use of standards in procurement efforts.

Publicly releasable SAVER documents are available here in the SAVER Document Library. SAVER documents with limited distribution are available to members of the SAVER Community by contacting NUSTL@hq.dhs.gov.

Federal, state, and local response agencies maintain their own radio communications networks, which are often incompatible with each other. Bridging/patching/gateway equipment is used to ensure interoperability between multiple agencies working at an incident site. Included reports: highlight and market survey report.

Breaching and breaking tools can include halligan bars, crowbars, ad pry bars; sledgehammers, axes, and rams; and bolt cutters, and lock breakers. These tools are used by responders during fire and rescue operations, as well as during tactical law enforcement operations. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Blast resistant trash receptacles are designed to diffuse the force of an explosion by directing a blast upwards, thereby protecting bystanders from the fragmentation that results when an explosive device is detonated in an ordinary trash can. Included reports: highlight, market survey report, technote, summary, and test results.

The marine environment, operational stress, limited space, and the pitch, roll, and yaw of small security watercraft require that an authentication process for mobile computers on chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) watercraft be simple, durable, and embedded in a portable computer. Included reports: highlight, technote, focus group report, market survey report, and application note.

Binocular laser rangefinders combine binocular optics and laser rangefinder technology into a single, compact unit that allows the user to calculate distance without a separate device. Responders use these devices to acquire accurate measurements for accident reconstructions, conduct site surveys, or acquire the distance to a target. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Barcodes contain data which can be uploaded into a computer program using a bar code reader. Responders can use this technology to automate materials, information, labor, and asset management. Included reports: highlight, technote, and market survey report.

Ballistic shields are constructed of ballistic resistant materials and are intended to protect users against small arms fire and fragmentation threats. These shields are used by law enforcement personnel during tactical operations where officers have little or no cover. Included reports: Ballistic Shields Highlight; Ballistic Shields Summary; Focus Group Recommendations on Ballistic Shields; Market Survey Report on Ballistic Shields; Assessment Report on Ballistic Shields.

Automatic vehicle locating (AVL) systems can report vehicle information, such as location, speed, and stops to investigators by obtaining information from GPS satellites. AVL systems allow law enforcement personnel to discreetly track and monitor vehicles. Included reports: highlight, summary, technote, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Anti-ram vehicle barriers provide a sufficient level of protection and mitigation from vehicle-borne threats to a secured area.  Applications in which these barriers are normally used include airports, borders, U.S. government facilities, ports, public venues, and law enforcement facilities. Included report: highlight and handbook.

Automated video surveillance technologies provide the capability of automatically detecting security incidents or potentially threatening events taking place within the view of the cameras. These technologies can be used for surveillance and perimeter intrusion detection operations. Included reports: highlight, summary, technical report, product and vendor catalog, and assessment and validation report.

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are portable defibrillation devices that are used to diagnose cardia arrhythmia and determine whether a shock should be administered to restore a normal heart rhythm. Responders can easily transport AEDs to a victim's location, increasing the likelihood of a victims survival. Included reports: highlight, summary, technote, focus group report, product vendor matrix, and assessment report.

Alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) detectors detect and/or measure AC or DC. These detectors are used by responders to detect currents, altering them to possible energized wires or power sources. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Handheld radiation survey meters are portable instruments that measure the activity or the exposure rate from radioactive material. Responders use these devices where radioactivity is suspected to be present in order to locate or assess the intensity of the radioactivity. Included reports: highlight, market survey report, summary, technote, focus group report, and assessment report.

Air-purifying respirators (APRs) remove particulate matter, gases, or vapors from the atmosphere. They can be used to protect responders in environments contaminated with chemical or biological agents, radiological or nuclear materials, or other hazardous materials when the correct canister is used. Included reports: highlight; summary; focus group report; market survey report; assessment report.

Air-purifying escape respirators (APERs) are designed to protect users from breathing harmful gases, vapors, and fumes. They may be used by responders or civilians for the limited amount of time needed to exit a contaminated area and reach fresh air. Included reports: highlight; summary, focus group report and market survey report.

Aerial radiation detection systems (ARDs) consist of multiple components with one or more detector modules, a control unit, a data acquisition system, a GPS sensor, and an altitude sensor. ARDs are mounted on aircraft, allowing responders to survey large areas for radiation. Included reports: highlight and assessment report.

Active shooter training simulators are designed to support the training law enforcement personnel on effective responses during active shooter scenarios.  These simulators provide responders with realistic training in a controlled environment. Included reports: highlight, technote, and technology guide.

Acoustic surveillance devices are used to gain real-time data necessary to respond to criminal activities and emergency incidents. These devices are used by law enforcement personnel to assess threats, identify suspects, monitor suspicious activity, evaluate incidents, and make appropriate decisions. Included reports: highlight, summary, product and vendor list, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Acoustic listening devices consist of headphones, a control head, multiple remote sensors or transducers, cables, a power supply, and it is suitable for one-man operation. Responders use these devices to locate and communicate with trapped persons during fire and rescue operations. Included reports: highlight and focus group report.

Night vision devices use image intensifiers tubes to amplify ambient light to produce brighter images of the surroundings. Responders use these devices during nighttime surveillance, search and rescue, and covert operations. Included reports: highlight, summary, handbook, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Search cameras are used to inspect voids and confined spaces that have limited physical access. These cameras are used by specially trained responders during search and rescue operations to locate trapped victims. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Ruggedized tablets are mobile computing devices that are able to withstand various environmental and hazardous conditions and rough handling, making them suitable for responders during field operations. Included reports: highlight, market survey report, assessment report, summary, and focus group report.

Magnifying patrol rifle scopes may have fixed (set) or variable (user selectable) magnification. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Handheld underwater metal detectors are composed of a coil, control box, handle, and shaft, and provide visual, audible, and/or tactile alerts when metallic objects are detected. Responders use these devices to locate metallic objects underwater. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Handheld photoionization detectors (PIDs) are small, lightweight devices that can rapidly detect volatile organic compounds and other chemicals in parts per million and parts per billion concentration ranges. Responders often mount handheld PIDs to remotely operated vehicles for plume mapping or collecting data prior to their entry into a spill area. Included reports: highlight, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Last Updated: 07/03/2024
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