93 Spring 2025 Proceedings Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) Program. Over its 20-year history, SAVER has produced more than 1,200 reports for first responders, including impartial, practitioner relevant, operationally oriented assessments of commercially available emer- gency response equipment and technologies. SAVER’s goal is to provide cost and time savings to federal, state, and local responders as they decide which equipment to purchase. As first responder equipment is increasingly sophis- ticated and complex, SAVER helps demystify commer- cially available products in the marketplace by providing the responder community with product information in plain language, using a Consumer Reports format. SAVER assessments provide comparisons of technology and capture end-user feedback. Each report highlights the salient product features for operators to consider before making an investment. This makes it easier for first responders to understand the pros and cons, review the specifications, and make a better purchasing decision as a result. For maritime-related SAVER projects, NUSTL collab- orates with the RDC to leverage its expertise. Recently, the lab conducted a market survey of maritime surveil- lance technologies that can detect small surface intru- sions on the water. The survey identified 20 products, including six electro-optical/infrared systems for day and night visual detection, eight radar systems, three software solutions, and three integrated systems. These capabilities provide agencies with situational awareness and actionable insights concerning potential safety or security hazards of small surface intrusions. NUSTL teamed up with the RDC for a subject-matter review of the market survey report, published on the SAVER website NUSTL also shared its SAVER Maritime Radiation Detectors TechNote with the RDC. This document pro- vides unique considerations when using radiation detec- tors in a marine environment, including varying levels of background radiation, intermittent power, and the need to protect against electromagnetic interference, vibra- tion, water, and corrosion. The TechNote is available to agencies charged with detecting illicit radioactive mate- rials while searching ports and marinas, scanning traffic at ferry terminals, scanning vessels during surveillance and interdiction operations, and monitoring marine bor- der crossings. The nation is witnessing a period of breakthrough technology advancements, from uncrewed aircraft sys- tems (UAS) to artificial intelligence and robotics. UAS, in particular, are revolutionizing emergency response operations by providing real-time aerial views that help identify dangerous hazards in areas that ground teams may struggle to reach. However, recent legislation restricts funding for certain foreign-made drones, creat- ing a need for secure, high-performance systems from the United States or allied nations. In response, NUSTL tested four UAS from the Department of Defense’s Blue List of approved cyber-secure drones. RDC experts flew to the assessment in rural Texas to observe the UAS in action and offer their technical expertise. In addition to a portfolio of T&E projects, NUSTL manages R&D through its radiological/nuclear response and recovery program, which equips first responders with tools and guidance vital for responding to radio- logical emergencies. RDC has used NUSTL’s radiological expertise for technical analysis on the radiation safety of backscatter X-ray devices that can be used for at- sea accountability along the southern border, further strengthening the partnership between the two organi- zations. Conclusion NUSTL’s partnership with the RDC is built on comple- mentary strengths—NUSTL’s expertise in real-world technology testing for state and local first responders and the RDC’s analogous expertise for the Coast Guard. Over the years, both organizations have cross-leveraged technical experts for various projects. This strong his- tory of reciprocal support, whether its augmenting field teams for executing a counter-UAS test, or sharing refer- rals for potential staff recruits, is grounded in a shared commitment to serving the front lines of homeland security. This partnership expands access to resources, knowledge, and networks that might otherwise be out of reach, enabling the timely delivery of superior RDT&E solutions to Coast Guard operators as well as state and local first responders nationwide. About the author: Alice Hong is the laboratory director of the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate’s National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) in New York City. She has been with the department for almost 20 years, helping to stand up the Science and Technology Directorate in Washington, D.C., and then moving to New York City to establish NUSTL. Read the interactive synopsis and download the full hoist glove OFA report here: https://bit.ly/OFAReport SAVER reports are free to download from the SAVER website at: https://bit.ly/SAVERLibrary For more information
