U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Government Website

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Safely connect using HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  1. Home
  2. About DHS
  3. Site Links
  4. Keywords
  5. National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL)

National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL)

Last Updated: | Publication

Big City Fire Working Group 2024 Year in Review

The Big City Fire Working Group (BCF) membership is composed of senior leaders from 12 of the nation’s largest fire departments. Many member departments encompass both fire and related expertise; BCF represents firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS) providers, and other disciplines. 

Last Updated: | Publication

Rad Survey Guidance

An ideal background radiation survey will provide first responders, emergency managers, and public health officials with a better understanding of the typical levels of radiation in their jurisdiction.

Last Updated: | Publication

Status of Guidance on Using HVAC in RadNuc emergencies

Status of Guidance and Scientific Knowledge on Using Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems for Protection During Radiological/Nuclear Emergencies.

Last Updated: | Publication

Big City Fire Fact Sheet

The Big City Fire Working Group (BCF) brings together representatives from 12 of the largest fire departments in the United States, as measured by number of stations and operational personnel. BCF members are senior leaders who understand the highest priorities of their departments and collaborate to identify and discuss the needs and challenges of fighting fire in dense urban settings. The S&T's NUSTL convenes and manages the BCF in support of the Directorate’s first responder portfolio and is responsible for setting strategy, executing process and identifying potential research, development, test and evaluation opportunities associated with the group.

Last Updated: | Publication

Guidance for Using Standards When Selecting and Purchasing Responder Equipment

This document provides guidance related to the use of standards when selecting and purchasing protective and operational equipment for public safety organizations, including law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and emergency medical service agencies. SAVER publications oftentimes contain a list and description of standards relevant to an equipment type. This document informs readers on what standards are, why they are important, how to verify standards are met, and how to include requirements for use of standards in procurement efforts. 

Last Updated: | Publication

SCBAs Lessons Learned Report

The Science and Technology Directorate’s National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) partnered with the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs), a life-saving piece of personal protective equipment and a substantial financial investment for fire departments nationwide. Recent technological advancements in SCBAs promise to enhance safety, communication, situational awareness, and the overall mission effectiveness of fire response teams. NUSTL’s evaluation involved rigorous testing of SCBAs available in the current marketplace to analyze their capabilities, including new electronic safety features that facilitate information transmission between SCBAs and incident command.

Last Updated: | Publication

C-THRU OFA Report

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate works closely with the nation’s emergency response community to identify and prioritize mission capability gaps, and to facilitate the rapid development of critical solutions to address responders’ everyday technology needs. As these new technologies near completion, the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) conducts an operational field assessment (OFA) to evaluate the prototype's capabilities and operational suitability. This report documents the results of an OFA of C-THRU, a real-time visualization system intended to provide firefighters with technology that can minimize the disorientation associated with emergency response. It offers a suite of imaging, navigation, and visual communication applications via the helmet-mounted C-THRU Navigator and corresponding Visual Command platform.

Last Updated: | Publication

Energy Innovation and Public Safety Program

As energy innovation expands, the widespread adoption of high energy density batteries continues apace in both residential and commercial spaces. This trend amplifies the challenges faced by responders in saving lives and protecting property as they respond to battery fire incidents.

Last Updated: | Publication

Optimizing Radioactive Contamination Screening

The National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) prepared the “Optimizing Radioactive Contamination Screening at Community Reception Centers Report” to provide emergency response organizations with technical guidance for deploying CRC radiation detection equipment to optimize screening efficiency. 

Last Updated: | Site Page

RNRR Portfolio

NUSTL manages a portfolio of Radiological/Nuclear Response and Recovery (RNRR) Research & Development (R&D) projects dedicated to improving radiological response and recovery capabilities at the state, local, tribal, territorial (SLTT), and federal levels, and to advancing the understanding of impacts and risks of a radiological or nuclear incident within first responder agencies nationwide.