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  1. Science and Technology
  2. News & Events
  3. S&T Impact Series
  4. S&T Impact: Critical Incidents

S&T Impact Mobilizing Innovation Critical Incidents

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) helps the nation prepare for and respond to critical incidents, such as active shooters and terrorist attacks, by improving capabilities during all stages of response. S&T’s technology and knowledge solutions are available for use by DHS components, first responder agencies, emergency management and other leaders and decision makers. Watch our video on critical incidents and read below to learn more about the technologies and capabilities we deliver!

Before an Incident

People in body suits with face masks. S&T helps responders identify the right tools for the job

  • The System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) program evaluates available responder technology on affordability, usability, and other criteria to help agencies understand which equipment will best fit their needs.
  • The Operational Experimentation (OpEx) program lets responders test new technologies in real-world settings, and provides developers with direct feedback on how their products can better meet operational needs (pictured).
     

First responders training facility, a firefight spraying water on a fire. S&T develops training resources focused on evolving threats

  • The Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environment (EDGE) training platform is a free virtual tool that allows responders to practice responding to an active shooter incident, whether within a single agency or with multiple jurisdictions and disciplines (pictured).
  • The National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) provides responders with technology assessments and evaluates their operational use during real-world exercises designed to improve preparedness and response.

An explosives detection canine down working in public. S&T improves threat-detection capabilities

  • The Surface Transportation Explosives Threat Detection (STETD) program is developing screening technology that can identify potential threats on people and in their bags without physically interacting with them.
  • The Explosives Detection Canine program helps detection canine teams identify new explosive compounds through non-hazardous training aids and increase their proficiency through realistic self-assessment and training events across the country (pictured).

During Response

First responders working at a site S&T makes it easier to share information

  • The Datacasting project helps responders send encrypted video, data files, and other critical information through existing public broadcast television signals, which helps prevent other communication channels from being overwhelmed.
  • The Next-Generation Incident Command System (NICS), a web-based platform, allows responders to share data and request assistance in real-time, and also allows officials to observe and make critical decisions during evolving situations to better support preparation, response, and recovery (pictured).
     

First responders going into a building S&T helps improve responder situational awareness

First responder using an electronic jamming exercise S&T protects responder communications

  • The First Responder Electronic Jamming Exercise (Jam-X) identified mitigation tactics against intentional or accidental communications jamming, which responders were able to practice implementing in realistic scenarios (pictured).
  • The Telephony Denial of Service (TDoS) program is helping improve 911 emergency call centers’ ability to defend against TDoS attacks through cyber security technologies that can analyze incoming calls and determine potential threats in real time.
     

The Aftermath

Close up of "FINDER" device, a beige case with "FINDER" and "DHS S&T logo" stickers on the front. Man in background with yellow hardhat is looking at device in his hands. S&T helps responders locate and identify victims and potential suspects

  • The Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response (FINDER) is capable of detecting human heartbeats under up to 30 feet of rubble, which helps responders more effectively target rescue efforts (pictured).
  • The Rapid DNA technology can complete a DNA test within 90 minutes or less from the field, which helps officials identify victims and inform family members in a timely manner.
  • The Forensic Video Exploitation and Analysis (FOVEA) tool helps responders quickly analyze video to identify potential suspects by allowing users to tag a person to a left-behind item and reconstruct that individual’s path across multiple camera views.

A line

S&T is the primary research and development arm for DHS’s operational components and the nation’s first responders. S&T helps improve the safety and effectiveness of homeland security professionals by developing innovative solutions with public and private sector partners. Our approach involves:

1. Identifying Needs by discussing operational challenges with DHS Components and first responders; 2. Developing Prototypes or leveraging existing technologies to quickly find solutions; 3. Testing and Evaluating potential solutions to ensure they meet end-user needs; 4. Deploying Solutions to the field within a short timeframe.

S&T relies on partnerships with industry, academia and technology developers to continue providing next-generation solutions that improve responder safety and effectiveness. If you’re interested in helping strengthen the nation’s homeland security, visit our Work with S&T page to discover the many ways to work with S&T. Then, check out the rest of our website and follow S&T on Facebook, InstagramX, YouTube, and LinkedIn for the latest updates on our work. Download a printable version of this page now.

Last Updated: 02/22/2024
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