The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is partnering with public safety agencies from Harris County, Texas, to conduct operational tests for first responders.
The Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) – Harris County Operational Experimentation (OpEx) is set for December 2018.
Through this initiative, they will test and demonstrate potential first responder communication, situational awareness, Internet of Things (IoT) and on-body technologies in an operational environment. Harris County, the Port of Houston Authority, the Houston Fire Department, the Houston Police Department, the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council, the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department, and the Atascocita Fire Department, will all participate.
“Technology can be a force-multiplier for first responders, and OpEx events are one of S&T’s best tools to demonstrate the real-world impact that integrated technologies may have on responder and DHS Component missions,” William Bryan, DHS S&T Senior Official Performing the Duties on Behalf of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, said. “We chose partners in Texas because of strong existing relationships with the county and city, and their long-standing reputation as early-adopters for new public safety technologies.”
Specifically, the OpEx event will depict a Hazmat leak and resulting mass-casualty incident scenario at the Port of Houston Turning Basin Terminal. The first responders will use recommended guidelines found in the Next Generation First Responder Integration Handbook.
“First responders must have systems that talk to each other and are budget-friendly for public safety agencies of all sizes,” DHS S&T Program Manager Sridhar Kowdley said. “We hope this OpEx will inspire industry to develop more interoperable solutions, and no longer create stove-piped systems that do not integrate and are expensive to maintain.”
Kowdley said the ultimate goal is to benefit first responders nationwide.
“We’re partnering with the first responder community to better inform us on how DHS S&T can create an environment that keeps them better protected, connected and fully aware,” Kowdley added.