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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.

Gunshot detection systems detect and locate firearm discharges. These systems have been adapted for law enforcement operations to provide gunshot detection over a large area to an accuracy of within a few feet. Included reports: highlight and technology guide.

Physical security is the protection of an organization's assets from threats that could cause losses or damages. Maintaining a strong physical security posture is an ongoing process that involves a continual assessment of new assets and changing threats. Included reports: highlight and guide.

Chemical agents are substances that were intended for use in military operations to kill, seriously injure, or incapacitate. This project focuses on chemical agent and toxic industrial material detection equipment, personal protection, decontamination, and communication. Included reports: highlight, summary, and selection guide.

Geographic information systems (GIS) provide users with capabilities that display, store, manage, and analyze geospatial data and information. These systems can be used by responders to plan tactical and response operations. Included reports: highlight, summary, selection guide, application note, assessment and validation report, market survey report, product and vendor catalog.

Portable generators can be used to replace damaged electrical power infrastructure or provide deployable electric power for remote response operations. Permanently installed generators also provide backup power for emergency response infrastructure. Included reports: highlight, technote, application note, and market survey report.

General purpose outer work gloves provide basic protection from cuts, stabs, punctures, impacts, pathogens, flame, water, heat, and cold, while providing dexterity, tactility, and durability. Responders consider work gloves an important piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) and most find it necessary to carry more than one pair to meet their needs. Included report: highlight, focus group report, and market survey report.

Gasoline-powered rotary rescue saws are widely used in the construction industry; however, there are a growing number of manufacturers who have marketed rotary saws specifically for firefighting and rescue operations. Rotary rescue saws for firefighting and rescue operations are designed to be lightweight to aid in deployment, include operating controls designed for use with gloved hands, and are capable of using many types of blades for cutting through different materials. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Flame resistant undergarments assist in preventing injuries from flames or radiant heat sources, as well as inhibiting the potential hazards of polyester or poly-blend uniforms could cause by melting and dripping on, sticking to, or burning skin. Responders use these undergarments to enhance their safety in operational environments. Included report: highlight, focus group report, and market survey report.

Fingerprint processing and identification equipment is used to capture fingerprints, identify minute details unique to an individual, and convert those minutiae into a system of numerical values that can be searched using recognition software. This equipment is used to verify identities. Included reports: highlight, technote, and market survey report.

Fiber optic kits use  bundles of glass stands (fibers) to transmit images through a scope to an eyepiece. Responders use these kits for remote surveillance and visual inspection operations. Included reports: highlight, summary focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Facial recognition technology is a contemporary security solution that automatically identifies and verifies the identity of an individual from a digital image or video frame. This technology can be compared to other biometric technologies, and used for a number of activities. Included reports: highlight, application note.

Eye protection may include tactical goggles, sunglasses, and safety glasses. Responders use eye protection during operations to prevent injuries to the eye. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Extrication devices are commonly used in the emergency response community for removing victims with limited mobility. Included reports: highlight, market survey report; technote, summary, focus group report, and assessment report.

Federal agencies, private research facilities, and commercial entities have partnered to find technical solutions for explosives detection. The complexity of this effort is compounded by the wide array of commercially available explosives, military-grade explosives, and commercially available chemicals that can be used to manufacture explosives. Included report: highlight and market survey report.

Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) tactical communication devices are low-power transceivers that allow users to send and receive information instantly through secured and encrypted networks. Included reports: highlight, focus group report, and market survey report.

Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personal protective equipment (PPE) may consist of traditional full coverage or "heavy protective" bomb suits, as well as lighter weight and less protective "search" or demining suits. These suits provide responders with primary blast, fragmentation, impact, and thermal protection. Included reports: highlight, technote, market survey report, and literature survey.

Laser aiming devices for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) disrupters are sighting mechanisms used by bomb technicians to quickly and accurately aim a disrupter at a target. These devices may be used with either a standalone disrupter or with a disrupter on a robot. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) search mirrors are remote examination tools. These mirrors are used by responders to locate and identify potential explosive devices. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) hook and line kits are remote opening tools comprised of rigging kits, pulleys, clamps, poles, probes, mirrors, tools, etc. These kits are used by specially trained hazardous device technicians to remotely access and/or open suspect items, vehicles, or building doors, and to perform render-safe procedures. Included reports: highlight, summary,focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Explosive entry breaching frames are designed to direct explosive energy into a target structure to create an opening and limit fragmentation and damage to the surrounding area. These frames are used by bomb technicians and SWAT teams during tactical operations to facilitate rapid entry into a structure. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Explosive detection swipe test systems use various technologies for the positive identification of explosive materials. These systems are used by responders to confirm the presence of explosive materials. Included reports: highlight and market survey report.

Microclimate cooling systems are worn underneath personal protective equipment (PPE) and provide sufficient cooling to sustain the user during an operational period. These systems are used by responders to prevent heat stress injuries when operating in environments that require the use of PPE. Included report: highlight, evaluation report (reprint), and product/vendor list.

Escape route modeling tools are software applications that aid public and private safety organizations in preparing and executing escape and evacuation plans for emergency situations. Responders can apply these tools to aid in advance planning, operational planning, and real-time planning. Included reports: highlight, technote, summary, product and vendor catalog and market survey report.

Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) disrupters are used to remotely open or render safe a suspect item or improvised explosive device (IED). Disrupters are used by specially trained hazardous device technicians to mitigate IEDs. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

 

Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) combines the capabilities selective call routing, automatic number and location identification, and street mapping. These combined capabilities allow E9-1-1 systems to automatically report the exact location of individuals calling 9-1-1, and reduce the time it takes for responders arrive on scene. Included reports: highlight and technote.

Last Updated: 07/03/2024
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