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The DHS’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) has contracted with three vendors to develop next-generation radiation detection equipment, referred to as Advanced Spectroscopic Portals (ASP). Sandia played a pivotal role in helping evaluate the new ASPs in field operations at the New York Container Terminal (NYCT). The Labs led a multi-laboratory team that operated and collected performance data from the ASPs. The ASP systems had previously been evaluated at the Nevada Test Site (NTS), but the NYCT effort added stream-of-commerce data to supplement the NTS tests. (8200, 8100, 5900, 8100, 6400, Kansas City Plant, 4300, 10300, 5000, 5600) HS&D
Shielding effectiveness measurements in excess of 90 decibels (dB) were made for the US State Department using Sandia’s recently approved system for attenuation measurements up to 110 dB. Uncertainty of the measured values was less than 0.3 dB at frequencies near 900 MHz. The measurements were made on candidate sleeve materials for the forthcoming State Department ID Card, which will enable streamlined US border crossings. When kept in its sleeve, the ID card will be immune to interrogation by unauthorized parties. (2500) HS&D
In partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Sandia is developing the secure architecture and standards for an alert and warning system that will provide a robust, multifaceted path to ensure effective public communications during a federal, state, or local emergency. Known as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), the program deployed a pilot on Aug. 1, 2007, in the midst of the hurricane season and is initially supporting states and local jurisdictions in the Gulf Coast region. (1700, 5600, 6300, 6400, 8100, 8500, 8900, 9500) HS&D
On Oct. 1, 2007, the first Remote Target Engagement System (RTES) — designed, developed, and installed by Sandia to enhance security at a US Air Force location — went operational. The system was certified for design safety by the Non-Nuclear Munitions Safety Board (Air Force) and tested to verify functional and safety implementation by AFOTEC (Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center) Detachment 2. Operation from a hardened control center removes Air Force operators from harm’s way. RTES has been continuously operated 24/7/365 since initial installation in April 2006. (6400) DS&A
In September a Lawrence Livermore National Lab/Sandia team conducted a Golden Guardian preparatory exercise in Anaheim, Calif., the first functional exercise of the DHS-sponsored TELL (Training, Exercise, and Lessons Learned) system. Based in the Anaheim Emergency Operations Center, TELL presented a simulated catastrophic incident to an incident management team operating in a remote mobile incident command post. Ground truth and exercise injects were provided by Sandia's WMDDAC (Weapons of Mass Destruction Decision Analysis Center) and Lawrence Livermore’s ACATS (Advanced Conflict and Tactical Simulation) software. (8100, 8900) HS&D
The High School Homeland Security Program enhances critical thinking skills among high school students using homeland security and emergency response as teaching elements. It has been or is being implemented in high schools in California, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. The program includes instruction in homeland security and emergency response, case studies, and a half-day exercise. A senior DoD official said the program should be in the curriculum of every high school in the country. (300) ITS, HS&D