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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.

Encryption software protects digital communications from individuals who are not authorized to handle such data. Responders use this software to protect sensitive data, mitigate security risks, and prevent the misuse of information. Included reports: highlight, technote, purchase and implementation guide, and technology guide.

Emergency fire response software tools provide rapid, comprehensive capabilities that enable response planning in advance, en route to an incident, or onsite during response efforts. These tools offer a means for crisis managers, incident commanders, and responders to visualize and access site-specific information. Included reports: highlight, needs are requirements analysis, guide, market survey report, and product and vendor list.

Electronic security systems use computer software and electronic devices to carry out a host of security functions to enhance the protection of a designated area. These systems monitor and collect data from subsystems, enabling system operators to interpret the data, determine a response, and counter events quickly. Included reports: highlight and handbook.

Mass notification systems simultaneously broadcast real-time alerts and information to large numbers of individuals. The primary function of mass notification systems is to quickly alert people to potential threats or emergency situations and direct them how to respond to those situations. Included report: highlight.

Electronic personal dosimeters are compact devices that provide immediate feedback to responders and, potentially, their command post about the kind of radiation exposure, as well as the dose received, during an operational period. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, and assessment report.

Dive computers are safety devices used by divers to minimize the risk of decompression sickness while maximizing the time a diver can spend underwater. These devices provide important safety information to responders conducting search and rescue operations, evidence collection, mapping, and survey operations in deep and shallow water environments. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Digital video recorders (DVRs) can be used as a component of a surveillance system that receives video from analog or Internet Protocol video cameras. DVRs can be integrated into surveillance systems to record images for exporting or later viewing. Included reports: highlight, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Data mining and analysis tools allow responders to extract actionable data from the large quantities of potentially useful public, private, and government information, and to present that information is a useable format. Included reports: highlight, technote, summary, needs and requirements analysis, market survey report, assessment report, product catalog, and selection guide.

Data fusion is a collection of processed, systems, and standards to facilitate the collection, combination, and analysis of information from multiple sources in order to gain a more complete understanding of the data used within responder agencies. Included reports: highlight, technote, and considerations and guidelines.

Cutting torch systems are hydraulic tools that can facilitate building entry and victim extrication. Responders use these systems during urban search and rescue operations, for forcible entry during tactical operations, and for underwater rescue operations. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and technology guide.

Covert wearable camera systems are designed to be concealed on various locations on the body. These camera systems are used by law enforcement personnel for intelligence gathering and recording undercover transactions. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Detecting the presence of a potential improvised explosive device (IED) is an important first step in rendering it safe, and it is the step most likely to involve responders. Counter-IED technologies involve defeating the device or mitigating its effects. Included reports: highlight and technote.

Cordless reciprocating saws are designed to be used in construction, demolition, and fire and rescue operations. Responders use these saws in urban search and rescue operations. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and technical report.

Confined space monitoring kits monitor the atmosphere in confined spaces to detect hazardous environments. Responders use these kits to during tactical, fire, search and rescue, and other operations that require confined space monitoring. Included reports: highlight and market survey report.

Concrete saws can cut through materials that ordinarily configured circular saws cannot. Responders can use concrete saws that use diamond cutting techniques to efficiently and effectively breach concrete structures. Included reports: highlight, summary market analysis and technical assessment, and assessment and validation report.

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems are used by dispatchers, call-takers, and 911 operators to prioritize and record incident calls, identify the status and location of responders in the field, and effectively dispatch responders. Responders in the field can receive messages initiated by CAD systems via their mobile data terminals, radios, and cell phones. Included reports: highlight and technote.

Forensic software are applications used to collect and examine evidence from computer systems or digital storage devices. This software is an important investigative tool used by specially trained professionals to collect, analyze, and report information on technology crimes. Included reports: highlight, market survey report, and application note.

Interoperability can be defined as the ability of anyone to talk with whomever they need to, whenever they need to, when properly authorized. Communications interoperability is essential to responders during emergencies and natural disasters. Included reports: highlight and market survey report.

A common operation picture (COP) is a continuously updated overview of an incident compiled throughout an incident's life cycle from data shared between integrated communication, information management, and intelligence and information sharing systems. The goal of a COP is real-time situational awareness across all levels of incident management and across jurisdictions. Included reports: highlight and application note.

Combination hydraulic power tools are portable hydraulically operated tools and power units, hoses, accessories, and attachments for rescue operations, certified as compliant with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1936. Responders use these tools to conduct search and rescue response efforts for victims of vehicle accidents. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Colorimetric tubes are simple to use, require minimal training, and detect and confirm the presence of chemicals. These devices enhance the safety of responders and the public during response operations. Included reports: highlight, summary, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Close circuit television (CCTV) systems provide surveillance capabilities used in the protection of people, assets, and systems. CCTV systems serve mainly serve as security force multipliers, providing surveillance of a larger area, more of the time, that would be feasible with security personnel alone. Included reports: highlight, handbook, and summary.

Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) are an atmosphere-supplying respirator that uses a breathing air source designed to be carried by the user. They are primarily intended for HAZMAT and fire service use where the environment is oxygen deficient and other worst case circumstances where the environment creates an immediate threat, is unidentified, is of unknown concentration, or is determined to be immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH). Included reports: highlight, summary, technote, focus group report, market survey report, and assessment report.

Gasoline powered chainsaws are used for firefighting, rescue, and forcible entry by structural firefighters, wildland firefighters, and urban search and rescue teams. Responders use these tools to cut ventilation holes in structures, construct shoring systems, and to clear fire lines. Included reports: highlight, summary, technote, focus group report, market survey report, application note, and assessment report.

There are numerous camouflage patterns available for procurement for tactical law enforcement uniforms, including military and civilian patterns. Each of these patterns conceals the wearer to a different degree depending on factors including distance and surrounding environment. Included report: highlight and selection guide.

Last Updated: 07/03/2024
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