The New York State (NYS) Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) is pleased to announce the New York State Unmanned Aircraft Systems/Drone Training Program has been nominated to compete in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.

NYS DHSES, a new competitor in the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Program, the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, are delighted to be nominated in a number of categories, which deliver enhanced training and development opportunities to benefit first responders and the communities in which they serve.

DHSES Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Training Program 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or “drone” technology has proven to be an effective tool for emergency response and other public safety purpose.

In many cases, UAS are much more cost effective than more traditional aircraft and there are a variety of circumstances where it is much safer to use UAS rather than putting individuals in harm’s way.

Recognizing this, the DHSES has developed a UAS Program to safely and effectively leverage UAS in support of the agency’s mission.

(Learn More. In a bid to improve response to traffic incidences and disaster response, the New York State Police added 18 drones to nine troop regions across the state, with four drones going to Troop D which covers the Syracuse area. Courtesy of syracuse .com and YouTube. Posted on Jan 26, 2018.)

One component of the DHSES UAS Program is series of UAS training courses created to help agencies develop their own UAS programs and train UAS Operators.

The UAS training programs range from basic awareness level training about UAS operations to advanced operator curriculum involving flying UAS in realistic, tactical scenarios.

DHSES also recognized the need to help potential pilots get certified under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 Certificate, and so the agency developed a Part 107 test prep course to reduce the time and effort needed to pass the exam.

(Learn More. Drones are amazing inventions — they’re changing the skies and the way we think about the future of flight. At the FAA, we share a common goal to facilitate the safe integration of commercial fleet and recreational drones into the National Airspace System (NAS). Courtesy of the Federal Aviation Administration and YouTube. Posted on Jun 18, 2019.)

In compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules governing the use of small (< 55 lbs) unmanned aircraft systems, DHSES has obtained a Certificate of Authorization (COA) from the FAA and all DHSES drone pilots must pass an FAA UAS pilot exam and participate in training.

DHSES pilots must also complete ongoing current training.

Below is a list of the UAS training courses offered:

• UAS Awareness Course

• UAS Part 107 Preparation Course

• UAS Operator Course

• UAS Advanced Operator Course

In accordance with the agency’s privacy policy, DHSES will annually provide a general summary of its UAS operations during the previous year, including a brief description of the types of UAS operations conducted provided that such information does not endanger public safety or interfere with public safety operations.

In 2018, DHSES flew 88 missions.

See below for a breakdown of the DHSES flight statistics.

As of May 1, 2019, DHSES UAS trainings have been provided to over 500 state and local personnel.

New York State has one of the most comprehensive drone training programs in the nation and is quickly becoming a national model for other to emulate.

The State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC)

The New York State Preparedness Training Center(SPTC) is the multidiscipline complex operated by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES).

It is located in Central New York at the former Oneida County Airport, a short 2 ½ miles from exit 32 of the NYS Thruway and within minutes of Griffiss International Airport.

The facility occupies approximately 1,100 fenced acres of the former Airport.

(See actual State Preparedness Training Center training at the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ State Preparedness Training Center in Oneida County. Courtesy of NYS DHSES and YouTube. Posted on Jul 16, 2018.)

The $9 million New York State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC) facility is available for use by the 1,800 fire departments and 580 police departments in New York state.

The SPTC affords state, local, and federal agencies a complex of training venues that can be used for the entire spectrum of training.

From classroom lectures and discussions to skill development lanes to reality and high performance scenario-based training, the SPTC offers opportunities for dynamic emergency first responder training.

(The New York SPTC, through a partnership with the National Center for Security & Preparedness at the University at Albany, also trains first responders on how to collaborate, respond to, and end an active shooter or aggressive deadly behavior incident. Using scenario-based training, instructors teach law enforcement how to respond to and quickly end a situation involving an active shooter. By integrating EMS professionals into the training, these first responders learn scene management skills, how to work closely with law enforcement in complex attacks, and the latest tactical emergency casualty care techniques. Utilizing world-class training resources, including the ‘CityScape’ simulations complex, students get the opportunity to train in real-world situations and realistic environments such as retail stores, businesses, city-style apartments, a shopping mall and a high school, that require teamwork, quick judgment and decision-making skills to successfully respond to and recover from such an attack. The State Preparedness Training Center offers a variety of active shooter or aggressive deadly behavior based training courses annually. Courtesy of NYS DHSES and YouTube.)

The New York State (NYS) Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES)

NYS DHSES provides information to be a valuable and useful resource, whether you are an emergency manager, first responder, or a member of the public.

Created in 2010, DHSES and its four offices – Counter Terrorism, Emergency Management, Fire  Prevention and Control, and Interoperable and Emergency Communications – provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies.

The women and men of DHSES are dedicated to working closely on a daily basis with all levels of government, the private sector, and volunteer organizations to improve the readiness, response and recovery capabilities of communities throughout the Empire State.

DHSES has taken great strides in enhancing the State’s readiness and response capabilities. From terrorist threats to natural weather disasters, the demands for public health and safety continue to increase as they simultaneously become more complex.

As we face these challenges, it is critical that we remain focused on strengthening our partnerships through increased communication and coordination.

The DHSES website provides daily awareness of emergency-related events and activities from throughout the State including State Fire alerts and bulletins, weather and travel, and State and national threat levels.

It also provides easy access to reporting terrorism tips as part of the State’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign and to the State’s all-hazards alert and notification system, NY-Alert (https://alert.ny.gov).

(NYers are reminded to stay alert to their surroundings, & report any suspicious activity. Terrorism Tip Line 1-866-SAFE-NYS (1-866-723-3697). New Yorkers can also download the See Something, Send Something mobile app to report suspicious behavior at http://ow.ly/JXsz301bh8O. Courtesy of NYS DHSES and YouTube.)

Additionally, for the first response community, the DHSES website offers  information on federal grants, emergency planning guidance, course offerings and schedules of training and exercise programs.

There also is an extensive publications section providing public safety information from each of the offices as well as informational videos and social media links.

Please browse the website and learn more about the DHSES mission.  Feel free to send us your comments.

With continued knowledge and awareness, DHSES ensures that our communities remain safe, secure and prepared.

NYS DHSES Competes in 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program

As a 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program Competitor, the New York State (NYS) Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) Unmanned Aircraft Systems/Drone Training Program, will be competing against the industry’s leading providers of Homeland Security Education Programs.

Good luck to NYS DHSES SWFT on becoming a Winner of the 2019 American Security Today’s Homeland Security Awards Program!

For More information on the New York State Preparedness Training Center, please visit the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services website at dhses.ny.gov/sptc.

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.

Over 130 distinguished guests representing National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:

• The Department of Homeland Security
• The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
• Argonne National Laboratory
• The Department of Homeland Security
• The Department of Justice
• The Security Exchange Commission Office of Personnel Management
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Viasat, Hanwha Techwin, Lenel, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Verint, Canon U.S.A., BriefCam, Pivot3, Milestone Systems, Allied Universal, Ameristar Perimeter Security and More!

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Desktop Alert.

Time is Running Out to Enter the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland SecurityAwards and Receive the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!

 https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/

And eligible Government Excellence Award Nominations are Complimentary in appreciation for service.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Access Control/ Identification	Personal/Protective Equipment	Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism
Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System	Interagency Interdiction Operation	Cloud Computing/Storage Solution
Facial/IRIS Recognition	Body Worn Video Product	Cyber Security
Video Surveillance/VMS	Mobile Technology	Anti-Malware
Audio Analytics	Disaster Preparedness	ID Management
Thermal/Infrared Camera	Mass Notification System	Fire & Safety
Metal/Weapon Detection	Rescue Operations	Critical Infrastructure
License Plate Recognition	Detection Products	And Many Others!

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

The following Government Agencies were recognized in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards:

• Argonne National Laboratory, Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST)

• Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency – DARPA, Subterranean (SubT) Challenge

(Learn About the DARPA Subterranean Challenge working with multidisciplinary teams from around the world to compete in the development of the autonomy, perception, networking, and mobility technologies necessary to map explore and search underground networks in unpredictable conditions. Courtesy of DARPAtv and YouTube.)

• Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Project Safe Childhood

• Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Project Safe Neighborhoods Program

• Department of Justice (DOJ) Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Office of Personnel Management, Federal Risk Mgmt Process Training (FedRMPTP)

• DHS Federal Protective Service, Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST)

• DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK)

(The Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) is a gps communications tool that runs on a mobile device. It improves situational awareness by allowing users to know where their mission partners are located, regardless of affiliation, improves communications through a variety of applications and was successfully used in 2017 Hurricane operations in Houston and Puerto Rico. Courtesy of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)

• DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environ (EDGE) Virtual Online Training for First Responders

(DHS S&T’s Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environment (EDGE) virtual training platform provides a safe, immersive environment where first responders, and now educators, can hone their skills and prepare for a multitude of incident responses. Built on the same video gaming platforms as popular titles like Fortnite, EDGE was intentionally designed to be easily accessed, easily used, and easily integrated into agencies’ existing training protocols. Courtesy of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)

• DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Flood Apex Program Flood Sensors

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),Violent Crimes against Children (VCAC) program

(Learn About the FBI VCAC Program, and hear from Special Agent Danielle Messineo, who works in the Crimes Against Children division, trying to prevent future victims by giving presentations to schoolchildren. Courtesy of USA Network and YouTube.)

• International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals (IACP), IACSP Training and Technology

• Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S), United States Multi-Service, Multi-Agency Task Force

• Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Detection & Emergency Response to envelopes containing the deadly poison ricin at a Pentagon mail screening facility

(Learn About the Joint Interagency Task Force South on Key West, Florida, a multi-agency, international alliance whose mission is to cover 42 million square miles of territory primarily in Central and South America to stem the flow of illegal drugs and to disrupt and dismantle sophisticated narco-trafficking networks. Much of that work is carried out on the high seas. Courtesy of Doug Brumbaugh and YouTube.)

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CBP Entry/Exit Program 

• US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit (HRVWCU)

(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operates the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit (HRVWCU) within the National Security Investigations Division (NSID). Preceded by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, HSI has more than 30 years of experience in successfully investigating human rights violators. The unit conducts investigations focused on human rights violations in an effort to prevent the United States from becoming a safe haven to those individuals who engage in the commission of war crimes, genocide, torture and other forms of serious human rights abuses from conflicts around the globe. When foreign war crimes suspects, persecutors and human rights abusers are identified within U.S. borders, the unit utilizes its powers and authorities to the fullest extent of the law to investigate, prosecute and, whenever possible, remove any such offenders from the United States. Courtesy of ICE and YouTube.)

Individuals Recognized for ‘Excellence in Homeland Security’ in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program are as follows:

• Edward Reinhold, Deputy Assistant Director, FBI (Ret)

• Joel McNelly, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

• Matt Quillen, Bristol Virginia Police Department

• Stanley I. White, Counterintelligence Advisor, the International Association for Counterrorism & Security Professionals (IACSP)

• Thomas Homan, Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (Ret)

• Thomas O’Connor, President of the FBI Agents Association

2018 Champions Edition

See the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Champions Edition – ‘Best Products of 2018 ‘ Year in Review’ for in-depth coverage of the outstanding products and services of firms receiving American Security Today’s 2018‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards.’

Enter Early to Maximize Media Coverage of your Products and Services at Kickoff, and Get the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!

And be sure to Register Early for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East 2019 to ensure your place at this limited- space event!

Why the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?

American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’

Why American Security Today?

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 70,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.

The old traditional security marketplace has been covered by a host of security publications that have changed little over many years.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that provides our readers with solutions to their challenges.

Our Editorial staff provides a full plate of topics for our AST monthly digital editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts.

The editorial calendar and AST’s high drawing website features 23 different Technology and Marketing Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities and Emergency Response among others.

These sectors are part of the new integration, where these major applications communicate with one another in a variety of solutions to protect our cities and critical infrastructure.

AST has Expanded readership into vital Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other Potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – enticing targets for extremist or lone wolf attacks due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

Learn More…

NYS DHSES Swift Water & Flooding Training Facility in 2019 ‘ASTORS’