DHS to evaluate first responder technology solutions

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Operational Experimentation (OpEx) Program has launched an effort to evaluate first responder technology solutions.

The OpEx Program has released a Request for Information (RFI) with four Technical Topic Areas (TTAs) to identify interest for participation in a potential demonstration activity for state and local first responders.

“First Responders have limited, if any, avenues within their own departments to voice their Research and Development needs,” Greg Price, First Responder portfolio manager for DHS S&T, said. “DHS S&T, through the First Responder Portfolio, has provided an avenue for the past decade that gives first responders the opportunity to relay their requirement for operational technologies that help them perform their jobs faster, safer and quicker, and ultimately save lives.”

Price said to date the First Responder Portfolio has transitioned 22 technologies to the commercial marketplace for first responders to purchase, based on requirements provided.

The four TTAs included in the RFI, per officials, are Remote Monitoring of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA); Backup Emergency Alerting Systems for Strategic Command, Control, Communications, and Coordination (C4); C4 Voice Assistance System; and Crowd Count Analysis.

The RFI is open to industry, academia, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, government agencies and other organizations with innovative first responder technology solutions ready for demonstration.