Critical Incident Technologies

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.