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Critical Incident Technologies
Technical Contacts:
Philip Mattson
Pamela Gray
James Stewart
Goals
The primary goals of the CIT Program are to:
- Develop performance standards, test and evaluation protocols, reference materials
and reference data, conformity assessment programs and user guidance for products and services.
- Develop consistent and verifiable measures of technology effectiveness in terms
of basic functionality, reliability, appropriateness and adequacy for the task,
interoperability, efficiency, and sustain-ability.
- Work with the DHS and DOJ to link equipment compliance with minimum performance
standards to grants processes.
- Provide guidance on technology investments to allow DHS, NIJ, Federal, state,
and local stakeholders to optimize use of limited resources.
- Disseminate standards and subsequent performance evaluations to the sponsors
and stakeholders, to help them make informed equipment purchases and to guide manufacturers,
developers, and the test and evaluation community to ensure product compliance.
- Provide guidance to sponsors and stakeholders on cross-cutting standards issues.
CIT Program Area Projects
Following are descriptions of three CIT projects.
DHS-Funded Projects
CBRNE Countermeasures Thrust Area Projects.
These projects focus on standards related to the detection of chemical, radiological
and nuclear threats, including standards for existing or new types of sensors and
data analysis techniques. Activities aim at developing suites of performance standards,
test and evaluation protocols, reference materials and reference data, conformity assessment
programs and user guidance for preventing, detecting, responding to, investigating,
and recovering from CBRNE incidents.
- Radiation and Nuclear Standards and Validation. Objective:
Develop National Standards for Homeland Security radioactivity, radiation and neutron
measurements, and the technical infrastructure to support these standards.
- National Standards for X-ray and Gamma Ray Security Screening Systems.
Objective: Develop consensus standards for X-ray and gamma-ray screening equipment,
and measurements to support and validate these standards at NIST.
Borders and Transportation Security Thrust Area Projects.
This thrust area focuses on Biometrics, Cargo Security, and Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID). Standards for components and systems in border and transportation security are
critical to systems for protecting our ports and borders and improving security of our
transportation networks.
- Standards for Rapid Evaluation. Objective: Establish standards
for the procedural offline and automated evaluation of biometric data.
- Latent Fingerprint Analysis. Objective: Develop standardized
latent fingerprint identification protocols.
- Usability for Biometric Systems. Objective: Develop user interface guidelines,
a reference user interface, and evaluation methodologies to improve the usability of
biometric software systems.
- Standards for Image Quality. Objective: Develop standard
definitions and measurements of finger and face image quality.
- Multimodal Biometric Accuracy Research Kiosk (MBARK). Objective:
Design, develop, integrate and deploy a standard reference multi-modal biometric accuracy
research kiosk to collect, maintain and evaluate biometric data.
- Cargo Security Requirements Definition. Objective: Develop
standards for advanced devices and systems to enhance the security of shipping containers
and cargo handling processes.
- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Standards. Objective:
Develop appropriate functional tests and performance metrics to facilitate reliable use
of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems for homeland security and first responder
applications.
Preparedness and Response Thrust Area Projects.
These projects focus on developing standards that will enable emergency responders to
identify and purchase reliable personal protective equipment and operational equipment.
The emphasis is on identifying gaps in the existing body of standards and coordinating
development of new or modified standards to fi ll those gaps. The projects range across
six areas of concern: Incident Management, Communications, Training, Personal Protective
and Operational Equipment (PPOE), Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Robots, and Geographic
Information System (GIS) Standards.
- Incident Management Standards. Objective:
Develop standards in the areas of incident management, preparedness, planning,
and training of first responders.
- Performance Metrics and Standards for RF Equipment. Objective:
Provide performance metrics and propagation data to facilitate development of transmission
standards for radio-frequency (RF)-based emergency equipment for first responders.
- NIOSH CBRN Respiratory Standards Development. Objective:
Develop performance standards for CBRN respirators
- ECBC Support to CBRN Respiratory Standards Development. Objective:
Facilitate Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) technical support to NIOSH's National
Personal Protective Technologies Laboratory (NPPTL) and the overall standards development
effort. ECBC's support enables the effort to build on research and development conducted
within military respiratory programs.
- Standards Program Development for First Responder Communications.
Objective: Develop performance metrics and transmission standards for RF-based
emergency equipment.
- Permeation Through Nonporous Barrier Polymers. Objective:
Develop test methods to assess permeation through selective PPE protective materials.
- Respiratory Threats for First Responders. Objective:
Develop performance metrics and testing protocols to support standards development
for real time environmental and personal exposure monitoring equipment.
- Development of Verification Method for Gas Mask Fit Test.
Objective: Develop performance metrics and testing protocols to support standards
development for selection of appropriate-sized respiratory face masks.
- Chemical/Biological Personal Protective Equipment Standards.
Objective: Develop minimum performance standards and testing methodologies
for chemical (both warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals) and biological
protective ensembles for the emergency response community.
- Emergency Responder Protection Against TICs/TIMs. Objective:
Conduct TIC/TIM testing on representative PPE ensemble material to validate testing
methodology. Select TICs and TIMs based on the prioritization process previously
established.
- Wear and Tear for Tactical Law Enforcement CB Ensemble.
Objective: Assess whether current test methods and protocols available
for artificial wear and weathering of materials accurately reflect the use of
CB protective ensembles during Homeland Security Operations (HLSO).
- Reactive Cooling Systems. Objective: Develop performance
metrics and standard testing protocols for first responder protective clothing that
uses reactive cooling to respond to short duration high thermal load.
- Microclimate Cooling Systems. Objective: Develop requirements
for Microclimate Cooling Systems (MCS) for selected user groups within the DHS/Emergency
Response community.
- Thermal Imager Standards for the Fire Service. Objective:
Evaluate the adequacy of current thermal equipment standards for electronic devices
used by first responders for location purposes.
- Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASSTechnology). Objective:
Develop appropriate functional tests and performance metrics to facilitate reliable
use of PASS systems for homeland security and first responder applications.
- Development of Next Generation High Explosives Standards Requirements.
Objective: Develop a standard and measurement infrastructure for calibration,
standardization, and optimization of trace explosives detection systems.
- Explosive Containment Standards Development (Blast Resistant Trash Receptacles).
Objective: Develop standards and test methods for blast resistant trash receptacles
(BRTRs).
- Bomb Disposal Robot User Interface Standards. Objective:
Develop disaster taxonomy and robot performance definitions, as well as operating
procedures and user guides.
- Urban Search and Rescue Robot Metrics & Standards.
Objective: Develop comprehensive standards for the development, testing,
and certification of technologies for sensing, mobility, navigation, planning,
and operator interaction within search and rescue robot systems.
- Testing and Measurement Methodology for Indoor Localization and a User Guide.
Objective: Develop standard and user guide for low rate ultra wideband technology
for communication and ranging.
- Thermal Exposure Measurement Method for First Responders.
Objective: Develop test methodologies to determine thermal measurements
and calculations of heat buildup and insulation failure in existing protective
clothing.
Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection Thrust Area Projects.
Modern buildings and information networks are complex and vulnerable to both external
and internal threats. These projects focus on modeling, simulating and analyzing heating,
ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and developing standards for building
automated controls, integrated sensors, structural integrity, and cyber security
countermeasures. The emphasis is on leveraging the rapid technological developments
in the private sector and coordinating them with the needs of various DHS components.
- Standards and Metrics for SCADA and Industrial Control Systems.
Objective: Develop standards and software assurance metrics to help SCADA and
Industrial Control Systems conform to requirements, standards, and procedures.
- Economic Standards for Security Related Issues in Constructed Facilities.
Objective: Develop a suite of economic standards and an economic training module and
software product on how to apply standards to aid in the selection of cost effective
strategies for the management of risks associated with terrorism and natural hazards.
- Standards Development for Gaseous Air Cleaning in Buildings.
Objective: Develop standards and test methods for assessing the performance
of gaseous air cleaning devices and the level of protection that can be achieved
in buildings.
- Standards and Test Methods for Sensor Networks and Alert Systems.
Objective: Develop standards and protocols for sensor interfaces for interoperable
links for sensor networks.
- Personal Identity Verification and Access Control for Buildings.
Objective: Develop standards for the integration of building automation systems
to address the requirements of personal identity and access control systems.
- Next Generation Design Economics for Structural Integrity.
Objective: Develop technical basis for structural and economics standards
that enable users to select cost effective engineering solutions when designing
new building or upgrading existing structures to resist progressive structural
collapse.
- Authentication Effectiveness Metrics. Objective:
Develop metrics and protocols for assessing the effectiveness of various authentication
mechanisms for local and remote environments.
- Universal Access Control Mechanism. Objective:
Develop a standard access control that can meet the diverse access control needs
of government and industry.
- Building Secure Configurations/ Security Settings/Security Checklists.
Objective: Develop standards for the integration of building automation systems to
address the requirements of personal identity and access control systems.
DHS Office of Interoperability and Compatibility Project.
The Office of Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) has funded the IAB to establish
a new Compatibility and Interoperability Committee to examine, identify and report on
interoperability and compatibility issues.
NIJ-Funded Projects
Development of Bomb Disposal Robot Standards. Objective:
Develop equipment standards and test methods based on defi ned operational requirements.
Development of Bomb Suit Standard. Objective: Develop standards
and test metrics to assess the operational capability of PPE based on defined operational
requirements.
OLES-Funded Projects
Structural Collapse Prediction. Objective: Develop risk
assessment protocols to assist in the evaluation of structures to endure specific
risks related to terrorism and environmental hazards.
Human/Machine Interface Standards for Bomb Disposal Robots.
Objective: Develop standards and test metrics to evaluate the human/machine
interface mechanisms required during specific operational requirements for bomb
disposal robots.
Deliverables
Major deliverables for all of the programs listed above include monthly, quarterly,
and annual progress reports, ongoing hazard threat analyses reports, draft and final
performance standards, hosting of public hearings on proposed standards, contributions
to interagency groups, staffing and equipping a suitable test laboratory, publication
of user guides, and other relevant products and reports required to fully implement
the standards development activities.
Accomplishments
The Critical Incident Technologies program area was established in 2001 in order
to consolidate and adequately manage ongoing and new OLES programs related to public
safety and security. Among the milestones achieved to date are:
- Standards for four types of radiation detection equipment were developed and
promulgated through IEEE and adopted by the Department of Homeland Security in
February 2004. Testing is being conducted at DOE National Laboratories. Five additional
standards have been drafted and are in final stages of approval and publication by ANSI.
Two rounds of testing have been conducted on commercially available radiation detectors;
one has been published, the other is under final editorial review.
- CBRN Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Standard (SCBA), December 2001. Dozens of
different models of respirators from six major manufacturers have been certified to date.
Certification testing is ongoing.
- CBRN Air Purifying Respirator Standard, March 2003. Certification testing is
ongoing.
- CBRN SCBA retrofit kit approval, March 2003. This allows previously purchased
non-CBRN certified respirators to be upgraded to the CBRN standard.
- CBRN APR and Self Contained Escape Mask Standard, October 2003. Certification
testing is ongoing.
- CBRN Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) standard complete, awaiting
implementation by NIOSH.
- Adoption of the completed CBRN respirator standards by the Interagency Board
for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability, the Offi ce for Domestic Preparedness,
and the Department of Homeland Security. In addition, the National Fire Protection
Agency is referencing the NIOSH CBRN respirator standards in the NFPA standards.
- Using simulations developed as a result of user input, the program has determined
the appropriate chemical agent concentrations a protective suit must endure in hot
and warm zones. Initially this mode was developed using GB and HD, as they are primary
agents challenging the respirators. However, additional agents are now being studied
as they may pose a greater percutaneous threat.
- NFPA 1991 and 1994 CBR respirator standards have been revised by NFPA to incorporate
CW agent concentrations and endpoints.
- To ensure that users of protective CBRN ensembles experience minimal negative
health effects and no lasting health effects, the health community performed a health
hazard assessment, "Evaluation of Chemical Warfare Agent Percutaneous Vapor Toxicity:
Derivation of Toxicity Guidelines for Assessing Chemical Protective Ensembles,"
July 2003, by Annetta Watson, Dennis Opresko and Veronique Hauschild.
- A draft set of recommendations has been presented to the NFPA for development
of a new standard for thermal imagers.
- The PASS project identified a shortcoming in the existing NFPA standard, and a
warning was sent to the users through the NFPA, NIOSH and the IAFF. Modifications
are being made in the next revision to the standard.
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