America’s first responders, emergency managers, and DHS Components are united in their purpose: To protect their communities from threats and to serve as the first line of support in an emergency.

Faced with increasing expectations and finite resources, first responders, emergency managers, and DHS Components must do more with less. That’s why the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) works closely with public safety officials at all levels, including DHS Components, state, local and tribal first responders, and emergency management agencies, to understand their evolving mission needs and to identify and implement solutions that enhance operational capabilities.

Advancing Threat Detection

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Responders and their communities need constant awareness of the dangers that threaten them, whether a sudden natural disaster or an ongoing man-made threat. S&T works to enhance detection capabilities across local, state, and federal response networks.

• Wildfire Sensors: Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered sensors monitor particulates in the air to identify ignitions and alert responders.
• Fentanyl Detection: Several ongoing efforts to improve fentanyl detection and analyze supply chain data.
• Shooter Detection Systems Outdoor: Portable gunshot detection tool that notifies officials and helps reduce response times.
• Low-Head Dam Alerting: Free tools that can help officials identify low-head dam hazards to warn recreationists when conditions are dangerous.

Improving Situational Awareness

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Emergency managers and incident commanders need tools to track their teams and coordinate resources in real time. S&T supports the integration of advanced technologies to improve coordination between local, state, and federal responders. 

• Search and Rescue Common Operating Platform (SARCOP): Aggregates emergency management apps and analytic tools into a single dashboard.
• Team Awareness Kit (TAK): Enables users to generate, visualize, and share tactical data to facilitate communication.
• Precision Outdoor and Indoor Navigation and Tracking for Emergency Responders (POINTER): Provides responder location in low-visibility environments.
• Detection of Presence of Life through Walls (DePLife): Hands-free tool that detects whether there is a person behind a wall.

Protecting the Workforce

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The men and women protecting our communities require the latest technologies to do their jobs safely and effectively. S&T focuses on developing and deploying tools that bolster the safety and effectiveness of first responders across every level of operation.

• Wearable Chemical Sensor: Monitors and alerts first responders of exposures to toxic industrial chemicals.
• Wildland Firefighter Respirator: Small, lightweight respirator that is easy to put on and take off.
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Report: Evaluates available SCBAs to help inform fire departments when purchasing equipment.
• C-THRU: Helmet-mounted augmented reality system that can help firefighters navigate indoors.

Incorporating Emerging Tech

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Emergency managers and incident commanders need tools to track their teams and coordinate resources in real time. S&T supports the integration of advanced technologies to improve coordination between local, state, and federal responders.

• Blue UAS for First Responders: List of drones that can meet public safety needs.
• MappedIn: AI-powered mapping tool for indoor navigation.
• Technology to Reduce the Impacts of Wildfires: Learn about WIFIRE Edge, a fire-prediction model that analyzes weather and sensor data to map a wildfire’s location and movement, and other new capabilities.
• AI-Facilitated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Call Center Software: Helps call center staff understand the nature of an emergency, determine what assistance is needed, and streamline the response process.

Download our brochure S&T Impact: Next Generation Emergency Operations.