The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a new series of prize competitions focused on strengthening nationwide resilience to climate change, and has extended the deadline for submissions for the DHS Cooling Solutions Challenge to February 24, 2022.
American innovators are encouraged to develop groundbreaking solutions for climate change-related hazards facing communities across our nation, and winners will receive cash prizes from a total pool of $195,000 for their innovative solutions.
The cooling challenge is being led by DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), which was just recognized with Multiple Platinum ‘ASTORS’ Award Winner for Excellence in Public Safety and Homeland Security in the AST 2021 Homeland Security Awards Program, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
This new challenge aims to incentivize American innovators to find new ways to protect people at risk of heat-related illness or death during extreme heat events or in connection with other disasters.
(In November 2021, DHS Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) Industry Partnerships hosted the Insights Outreach webinar: Innovative Solutions | Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change. Climate change and extreme weather conditions continue to impact the United States, and communities are facing the devastating effects of increasing heat and natural disasters. During this webinar, you will learn how DHS S&T and our Component partners are incorporating innovative climate adaptation solutions into national preparedness efforts and addressing key vulnerabilities to mitigate the effects of climate change and bolster our national resilience. Courtesy of DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube. Posted on Dec 8, 2021.)
Extreme heat is the Nation’s leading cause of weather-related deaths, and as extreme heat disproportionately harms underserved communities, developing new and better ways to protect people on the hottest days will advance equity in disaster preparedness and response efforts.
Through the Cooling Solutions Challenge, DHS will work to further increase equity in its disaster preparedness and response efforts to underserved communities which are disproportionately impacted by extreme heat.
“I am proud to announce the first-ever DHS prize competition series focused on combatting the climate crisis,” said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
“Through this competition, DHS will increase access to tools that help communities increase their resilience and address the existential threat of climate change.”
DHS administers prize competitions using authority provided under the America COMPETES Act.
Challenges are open to individuals who are over the age of 18 and are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents at the time of submission, as well as to U.S. entities that are incorporated in and whose primary place of business is in the United States.
Federal entities or federal employees acting within the scope of their federal employment are not eligible to participate. Eligibility is subject to verification by DHS.
This verification occurs before cash prizes are awarded.
Visit Challenge.gov for information about how to apply and to learn more.
(Learn More. Climate change is changing the way we think about and plan for securing the homeland – protecting our economy, health, infrastructure, and overall well-being of our citizens. Amidst a global pandemic in 2020, 22 climate disasters occurred, marking the sixth consecutive year that 10 or more billion-dollar weather and climate disasters have impacted our regional and national security. Threats to our housing, energy, agriculture, commerce, and emergency support functions make climate a top priority. S&T understands there is no one-size-fits-all approach to combating the climate crisis and is making real impacts to protect our communities and their frontline workers. Panelists: Randy “Church” Kee, Maj Gen, USAF (Ret.) Executive Director, Arctic Domain Awareness Center, University of Alaska; Commissioner, U.S. Arctic Research Commission, University of Alaska, Commissioner, U.S. Arctic Research Commission Dr. Scott Lindsey, Regional Director, National Weather Service, @noaa Kelsey Frazier, Graduate Student and Research Associate, Arctic Domain Awareness Center To learn more, visit our Whole-of-Government Virtual R&D Showcase at https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/virtual-rd-showcase. Courtesy of DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube. Posted on Jul 12, 2021.)
DHS S&T Recognized with Multiple 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards
American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Sixth Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.
DHS Science & Technology (First of Four)
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Excellence in Public Safety
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The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) awarded a grant to the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health (NCDMPH) to develop the school-age trauma training that became First Aid for Severe Trauma (FAST).
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FAST is the first national STOP THE BLEED® course designed specifically for high school students and made available through the American Red Cross, thanks to the S&T grant.
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While FAST is available for anyone, the course and digital materials are offered at no charge to high school students under the age of 19.
(The FAST education program is based on funding provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) to the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health (NCDMPH). The FAST course and digital materials, developed by the American Red Cross in collaboration with NCDMPH, will be offered at no charge to high school students under the age of 19, thanks to the S&T grant. Courtesy of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)
DHS Science & Technology (Second of Four)
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Excellence in Public Safety
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Wildland Fire Sensor Technology
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The Wildland fires present a significant threat to the United States, and the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is fighting fire with technology.
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Wildland Fire Sensor Technology could provide the public with the advanced notice necessary to reduce the loss of life and property while giving communities the information and time necessary to make life-saving evacuations.
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(Learn More, courtesy of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)
DHS Science & Technology (Third of Four)
- Excellence in Homeland Security
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In the event of a radiological or nuclear incident, emergency response agencies and HAZMAT teams could utilize this new technology to set up community reception centers to screen members of the public for potential exposure to radioactive contaminants.
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Two inventors from the DHS National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) have developed a personal radiation detector (PRD) that could be placed beneath an entry ramp to detect radioactivity on the shoes of people being pre-screened before entering main screening areas.
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This innovative and unique new device emits an alarm sound that is both louder than, and distinctive from other alarms, to ensure it can be easily heard and distinguished from other devices.
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Additionally, the remote alarm box does not require any batteries nor external power and can be stored indefinitely without maintenance so that it is immediately ready for use in an emergency.
DHS Science & Technology (Fourth of Four)
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Excellence in Homeland Security
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DHS S&T identifies research the agency will conduct to understand the opportunities, as well as the risks, that accompany the rapidly changing AI/ML technology landscape and its impacts to DHS missions, and incorporate the technological advancements in AI/ML to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the DHS operational components and the broader Homeland Security enterprise.
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S&T’s three strategic goals are to 1) drive next-generation AI/ML technologies for cross-cutting homeland security capabilities; 2) facilitate the use of proven AI/ML capabilities in homeland security missions; and 3) build an interdisciplinary AI/ML-trained workforce.
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The Strategic Plan aligns with the DHS Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which lays out goals to govern the Department’s approach to integrating AI into the DHS mission.
Also recognized…
Mr. John Merrill
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Excellence in Homeland Security
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Deputy Director, Technology Centers Division (Acting) at U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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(Learn More about how the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&)T is mobilizing innovation to secure our world. From sensors to cybersecurity to technology for first responders, we work with you to find tomorrow’s solutions, today. Courtesy of DHS Science and Technology Directorate.)
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards highlights 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.
AST Honors Thomas Richardson, FDNY Chief of Department; Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems; and Richard Blatus, FDNY Assistant Chief of Operations, at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon at ISC East.
The United States was forever changed 20 years ago on September 11th, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.
In the days that followed 9/11, the critical needs of protecting our country catapulted us into new and innovative ways to secure our homeland – which is how many of the agencies and enterprise organizations that are today ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champions, came into being.
Our keynote speaker featured a moving and informative address from TSA Administrator and Vice-Admiral of the United States Coast Guard (Ret), David Pekoske; to our attendees who traveled from across the United States and abroad, on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel.
Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton of the New York Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department was also live at the event, meeting with attendees and signing copies of his latest work ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ courtesy of the generosity of our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Premier Sponsors.
The 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by AMAROK, Fortior Solutions and SIMS Software, along with Returning Premier Sponsors ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Reed Exhibitions.
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
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AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local level as well as from private firms allied to the government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital 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.
AST has Expanded readership into integral 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 – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)
To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, be on the lookout for the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2021 ‘A Year in Review’.
The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of Annual ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.
It will serve as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2021 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION will have what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It will also include featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
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For a complete list of 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, begin HERE.
For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
Learn More…
Combat Human Trafficking – DHS Launches New Resources to Help
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