FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
S&T Public Affairs, 202-254-2385

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) will facilitate a demonstration of integrated emergency response technologies during a simulated earthquake and HAZMAT scenario at Legion Field stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. S&T’s Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) – Birmingham Shaken Fury Operational Experimentation (OpEx) will involve a coordinated emergency response by the Jefferson County, City of Birmingham, and University of Alabama at Birmingham public safety agencies, and industry partners.

Over the past year, DHS S&T partnered with the City of Birmingham to identify their mission-critical technology needs, pair them with DHS-funded and industry technologies, and integrate those technologies to enhance their response capabilities. During the OpEx, DHS S&T and responders will evaluate how selected DHS-developed and commercial technologies integrate using open standards, and how those integrated capabilities enhance operational communications, increase operational coordination, improve responder safety, and augment situational awareness. This OpEx will help Birmingham-area public safety agencies prepare to host the 2021 World Games by giving them an opportunity to field test new technologies, improve regional coordination and emergency communications, and build relationships across the public safety enterprise.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

8:30 a.m. CDT – DHS S&T Next Generation First Responder Program will host a media availability and OpEx technology demonstration, including a technology showcase providing the opportunity to examine and discuss the various technologies.
9:00 a.m. – Remarks by Mayor Randall Woodfin
9:10 a.m. – Remarks by DHS Senior Official Performing the Duties of Under Secretary of Science and Technology William N. Bryan
9:30 a.m. – Technology Demonstration
10:15 a.m. – Panel Discussion and Press Conference
11:00 a.m. – Responder Technology Showcase

Legion Field Stadium
400 Graymont Ave W
Birmingham, AL 35204

Public Safety Partners

• Birmingham Fire & Rescue Services Department
• Birmingham Police Department
• Birmingham 9-1-1
• Birmingham Mayor’s Office
• Birmingham Parks & Recreation
• Birmingham Public Works
• Birmingham Information Management Services
• Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency
• University of Alabama at Birmingham Emergency Management
• University of Alabama at Birmingham Police Department
• Alabama Emergency Management Agency
• Alabama National Guard

Technology Partners

• AT&T Corporation (New York, NY)
• BodyWorn (Decatur, GA)
• Easy Aerial, Inc. (Edison, NJ)
• Field Forensics, Inc. (St. Petersburg, FL)
• FireHUD, Inc. (Norcross, GA)
• 5VS LLC (Five Vital Signs) (Arlington, VA)
• Image Insight, Inc. (East Hartford, CT)
• Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, Inc. (San Diego, CA)
• Metronome Software, LLC (Laguna Hills, CA)
• MobileIron, Inc. (Mountainview, CA)
• Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (Alexandria, VA)
• N5 Sensors, Inc. (Rockville, MD)
• NC4 Public Sector, LLC (Arlington, VA)
• PAR Government Systems Corporation (Rome, NY)
• Project OWL (Brooklyn, NY)
• Regal Decision Systems (Severna Park, MD)
• SensorUp, Inc. (Calgary, Canada)
• Silvus Technologies, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA)
• Spectronn (Holmdel, NJ)
• SpectraRep, LLC (Chantilly, VA)
• TRX Systems, Inc. (Greenbelt, MD)
• Tyto Athene, LLC (Herndon, VA)
• University of Alabama in Huntsville (Huntsville, AL)

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To attend the press availability and demonstration, credentialed media must RSVP to NGFR@hq.dhs.gov by Friday, August 16, 2019 to register and receive a media packet and additional logistical information for the experiment at Legion Field stadium.