DHS announces cross-border CAUSE IV experiment

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate announced this week that it is preparing for another installment of cross-border experiments with Canada.

The DHS will work with the Defense Research and Development Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS) as well as Public Safety Canada to carry out the Canada-U.S. Enhanced Resiliency Experiment (CAUSE). This latest move will seek to build bilateral partnerships for emergency preparedness and improve information sharing between the two nations.

This particular objective comes as an addition to the “Beyond Border Action Plan,” and will explore how to build bi-national communications interoperability capability and connect the emerging technologies available.

The experiment will take place between Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario. The Blue Water Bridge will serve as the primary site of the emergency scenario.

The first part of CAUSE will test the interoperability of paramedic and health services by fielding cross-border broadband and wireless services that examine voice communications, electrocardiogram tracing, live video, patient records and overall situational awareness — such as vehicle tracking.

The second part of the experiment will pilot a bi-national capability to automate and link models that currently operate independently for alters, situational awareness, citizen engagement and mutual aid planning efforts. Additionally, it will test the public alert systems for efficacy.

The event is scheduled to occur from Apr. 26-28.