Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - Experts & Thought Leaders

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announces the launch of the modernization effort to develop a new, interoperable fire information and analytics platform, known as the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), for the American fire and emergency services. This effort is being carried out as a partnership between USFA and the US Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) The goal of NERIS is to empower the local fire and emergency service community The goal of the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is to empower the local fire and emergency service community, by equipping them with near real-time information and analytic tools that support data informed decision-making for enhanced preparedness and response to incidents involving all-hazards. “Once launched, the new NERIS platform will provide capabilities for documenting and introducing community risk reduction efforts, associated resilience and mitigation efforts into the overall preparedness and resilience equation — providing greater insights into vulnerability gaps where resources can be used to harden communities and minimize future emergency and disaster events,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell. NERIS platform to integrate data from Federal data sets The platform will integrate data from multiple federal data sets, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and other authoritative live data sources — to inform community risks including vulnerable populations, the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), drought areas and flood plains. Furthermore, it will support rapid data capture from hostile event response, including response to structure fires, emergency medical incidents and hazardous materials events. Long-Range Broad Agency Announcement program FSRI is a part of UL Research Institutes, the non-profit safety science organization within the UL enterprise This project is made possible through a research & development contract awarded through S&T’s Long-Range Broad Agency Announcement program awarded to The Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI). FSRI is a part of UL Research Institutes, the non-profit safety science organization within the UL enterprise. In collaboration with USFA, DHS S&T and the American fire service, FSRI will develop and provide the new NERIS platform for use by fire and emergency service departments nationwide. Secure, cloud-hosted platform The new NERIS platform will replace the legacy data system (known as the National Fire Incident Reporting System — NFIRS) with a secure, cloud-hosted platform that will fulfill the USFA’s National Fire Data Center’s (NFDC) obligation under the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (PL 93-498) — to mitigate the fire problem, reduce loss of life and property and educate the public on fire prevention and protection, as well as effects of all-hazards. Once NERIS is developed and operational, USFA will work to migrate fire and emergency service departments onto the new platform. The legacy NFIRS will remain operational throughout the transition process, so all fire and emergency services departments should continue to use the current NFIRS data system and maintain status quo until migrated to the new platform.

Integrations will enable alerting authorities to disseminate wireless emergency alerts to the public in near real time through vehicle navigation and entertainment systems. The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate concluded a proof-of-concept demonstration of the wildland urban interface (WUI) integration model that integrates next generation technologies with FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and GPS navigation applications and cutting-edge technologies. Cutting-Edge technologies These integrations enable alerting authorities to disseminate wireless emergency alerts to the public in near real time, with new capabilities such as displaying hazard and evacuation alert information through vehicle entertainment and navigation systems. The demonstration was conducted at the Fairfax Emergency Operations Center and in a field location in Fairfax County, Virginia, in collaboration with the FEMA IPAWS program, Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management and HAAS Alert, Inc.

Wildland urban interface (WUI) areas — where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland — are vulnerable to wildfires. The destruction caused by wildfires can be exploited by criminals and, because of the minimal resources required and the potential for widespread damage, foreign terrorist organizations encourage arson attacks in WUI areas. First Responder's Toolbox The National Counterterrorism Center's Joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team (JCAT) has released a new First Responder's Toolbox: Mitigating the Threat of Terrorist-Initiated Arson Attacks on Wildland-Urban Interface Areas PDF. This new asset includes: An overview of observable tactics, techniques, and procedures likely to be employed by those preparing to conduct an arson attack. Planning, prevention, and response Historical criminal and terrorist activity related to arson in the WUI. Links to additional resources. Publicly available toolboxes One can access this First Responder’s Toolbox, as well as all other publicly available toolboxes in the series, at JCAT's website. The entire First Responder's Toolbox series, including those designated For Official Use Only (FOUO), are available on the Emergency Services and Intelligence Communities of Interest on the Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN).

Two grant programs designed to address staffing, equipment, training, and health and safety needs of firefighters are scheduled to ‘sunset’ in 2024 unless Congress reauthorizes the grant programs, and funding for the programs will run out unless Congress endows them for another year. Legislation to extend the programs has already passed the U.S. Senate. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program provides funding to hire additional personnel to maintain safe staffing levels in fire departments. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program pays for equipment, training and other fire department needs. Together, they ensure the readiness of 30,000 fire departments across the U.S. to respond to more than 30 million emergency calls annually. Introducing bipartisan legislation U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize SAFER and AFG programs, and to provide funding for the United States Fire Administration (USFA). Other authors of the bipartisan legislation are Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska; and Democratic Senator Tom Carper of Delaware in addition to Democrat Peters. The bill was approved by the Senate Homeland Security Committee and then moved to the full Senate Current authorization of funding for all three programs expires in 2023. The bill was approved by the Senate Homeland Security Committee and then moved to the full Senate for consideration. The Senate approved the bill on April 20. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer earlier pledged to pass the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023 in the Senate to save the programs. In addition to reauthorizing the programs for another year, the bill extends the sunset from 2024 to 2030. Federal grant programs The bill also extends through 2030 the underlying formula for the authorizations of appropriations for the grant programs; those amounts are calculated by adjusting the amount authorized for 2013 ($750 million) each year to account for inflation. In November 2022, Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee announced legislation in the House to renew the two federal grant programs critical to local departments. The Fire Grant and Safety Act would extend the grants until 2030. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responsible for the implementation and administration of the grant programs through the Grant Programs Directorate. Modern pumper truck Outfitting one firefighter with protective gear and breathing apparatus can cost $12,000 “These federal grant programs have delivered millions of dollars to departments and municipalities to [provide] the equipment and staffing levels [needed] to respond to fires and countless other emergency calls as safely and efficiently as possible,” said Sam Fresina, President of the New York State Professional Firefighters Association. Fire departments often face budget shortfalls and high costs that prevent them from investing in modern equipment to combat emergencies and keep firefighters safe. For example, a modern pumper truck can cost more than $750,000. Outfitting one firefighter with protective gear and breathing apparatus can cost $12,000. Providing recruitment incentives “Volunteer and combination fire and EMS departments struggle to get the funding they need to keep the lights on, fuel the ambulance, and purchase turnout gear,” said National Volunteer Fire Council Chair Steve Hirsch. “The AFG and SAFER programs are critical to these departments because they allow them to purchase needed equipment and provide recruitment incentives to volunteers to serve their community.” Other organizations supporting reauthorization of the grant programs and extension of the ‘sunset’ include the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

The Internet of Things (IoT) is expanding the variety of technical capabilities deployed in the interest of public safety, and smart cities are leveraging IoT data to provide insights and improve operations. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is promoting technology development through its Science and Technology Directorate’s SCITI (pronounced “city”) solutions lab. SCITI stands for Smart City and Internet of Things Innovation. SCITI innovations promote public safety in urban environments to expand capabilities of first responders, including law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, and the associated commercial sector. The initiative focuses on integrating new and existing technologies to serve public safety needs, with emphasis on validation and go-to-market support through industry partners. A streamlined process is aimed at getting new capabilities commercialized and available to users. Supporting first responders The program seeks to provide new capabilities to support first responders and the associated commercial sector in three areas. They are: Autonomous navigation for indoor Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to support search and rescue missions in difficult environments. Intelligent building sensors to be mounted on fixed indoor building features, such as smoke detectors or exit signs. Sensors provide a mechanism to rapidly prioritize areas for search and rescue. A body-worn interoperable platform (“SmartHub”) that integrates personal network communications with third-party sensors to improve situational awareness. Collaborations for development The program has been instrumental in developing and commercializing a number of products DHS Science and Technology is leveraging a “commercial first” approach by working with technology innovation companies, government public safety officials, infrastructure owners and private sector investment partners to promote the design, development and operational testing and evaluation of suitability for commercial adoption. The program has been instrumental in developing and commercializing a number of products. Improving communication is one area of development. For example, Zello, Austin, Texas, provides a push-to-talk smartphone app that is a low-cost, reliable and secure alternative to traditional radios. Wireless System Solutions, Morrisville, North Carolina, has developed end-to-end multi-standard/band wireless network solutions that provide connectivity from the macro cellular network to the end-point gateway and/or sensor. Emergency situational awareness To provide situational awareness in an emergency, Known Quantity Sensors Inc., Atlanta, offers an IoT edge sensor platform To provide situational awareness in an emergency, Known Quantity Sensors Inc., Atlanta, offers an IoT edge sensor platform that uses AI-backed, image-based processing to quantify and locate human occupancy. CommandWear Systems, Vancouver, British Columbia, provides a simple, secure, mobile situational awareness platform that runs on existing smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops and desktop PC. The system enables users to prepare for events and incidents in advance, know where personnel and assets are, communicate with them securely, and then review and analyze a mission after the fact. Other solutions promote teamwork and collaboration. Mutualink, Wallingford, Connecticut, connect voice, video and information sources so any agency can talk to and share information with partners on-demand, providing instant emergency collaboration, situational awareness and coordination. Coolfire Solutions, St. Louis, Missouri, provides collaboration software that synchronizes data, content and communications to enable people to work together more effectively. Artificial intelligence Providing automation to operate in an emergency, Airgility, College Park, Maryland, provides multi-mission unmanned aerial vehicles that can conduct search and rescue operations or protect the nation’s borders, including onboard artificial intelligence. Thirteen companies in all were selected in the first phase of the program, and additional companies were added in Phase II. The SCITI solutions lab was created in collaboration with Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology, TechNexus in Chicago, and Smart City Works venture labs in Washington, D.C.