S&T’s countering illegal jamming program conducts research on the impacts of radiofrequency jamming on federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial communications. Communications provide a mission-critical lifeline for first responders and law enforcement, ensuring they can do their jobs to protect and serve our nation. Illegal jamming of communications systems—including jamming of GPS, radio and wireless systems—poses a threat to law enforcement and public safety across the country. S&T partners with ICE, CISA, CBP, and the FCC to evaluate evolving jamming threats, and will share recent operational insights and required jamming incident reporting information.

The emergency management threat landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace due to challenges like climate change, urbanization, and technological advancements. This shifting landscape requires a dynamic and adaptable approach. S&T has partnered with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to execute the Emergency Management of Tomorrow Research (EMOTR) program to assess the emergency management research landscape, elicit capability needs from stakeholders, conduct validation exercises, and identify where technology can help our emergency operations centers.

S&T has also partnered with PNNL on the first responder project, the First Responder Capability Roadmap (PDF, 412kb, pg.1). Representative’s from PNNL will be onsite to conduct interviews with first responders to better understand their technology needs. First responders, active and retired, are invited to stop by booth #2382 to be briefly interviewed for the project.

Learn More:

Overview of the Emergency Management of Tomorrow Research (EMOTR) Program (PDF, 1mb, pg.2)Shaping the Future of Homeland Security Video – (YouTube)

S&T works closely with first responders to improve their safety and effectiveness—lending expertise, conducting research and development, and funding innovation to ensure our nation’s public safety services are well-equipped to provide aid in times of crisis.

Refer to S&T’s Providing Police Backup Through Science and Technology document to learn more about our work supporting the law enforcement community.

The Public Safety and Violence Prevention (PSVP) program works to prevent acts of terrorism and targeted violence and understand the ever-evolving threat landscape by conducting research and evaluation. PSVP research will aid first responders and policy makers in making informed decisions while also providing prevention programs and practitioners with the tools they need. This work is vital to strengthening societal resistance against perpetrators of violent extremism and broadening awareness of the threat of terrorism and targeted violence. 

Learn More:

Threat and Risk Assessment Measurement: A State of the Science ReviewHuman Behavioral Responses After a Targeted Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Attack at Soft Targets and Crowded PlacesScreening for Insider Threats in U.S. Law Enforcement: A National Sample of Department Policies and Practices – State of Practice GuideScreening for Insider Threats in U.S. Law Enforcement: A National Sample of Department Policies and Practices – Plain Language SummaryScreening for Insider Threats in U.S. Law Enforcement: A National Sample of Department Policies and Practices – Self-Assessment Toolkit