National Urban Security 


Technology Laboratory
 

Annual Report 

Fiscal Year 2016 



NATIONAL URBAN 

SECURITY TECHNOLOGY 

LABORATORY 

Annual Report 

Fiscal Year 2016 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

2 INTRODUCTION 

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

4 HISTORY 

8 PARTNERING AND COLLABORATING WITH THE FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNITY 

9 Customer Satisfaction Results
 

9 Increased Partnerships and National Reach
 

12 Who We Work With
 

13 New York Area Science and Technology Forums
 

16 TESTING AND EVALUATION 

16 Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Testing and Evaluation Support
 

17 Performance Testing and Evaluation at NUSTL
 

20 Radiological Emergency Management System Quality Assurance
 

21 System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders
 

24 Responder-Technologies Testing and Evaluation Support
 

26 Responder Training and Exercise Support
 

27 Urban Operational Experimentation
 

29 Neutron Benchmarking
 

30 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 

30 Radiological/Nuclear Response and Recovery Research & Development 

31 Increasing Local Capabilities to Manage Radiological Incidents 

33 Supporting Local Responders with Radiological Expertise 

34 Continuing Meaningful First Responder Focused Radiological/Nuclear R&D 

36 LABORATORY OPERATIONS 

36 Information Technology
 

36 Personal Property and Fleet Management
 

37 Security
 

37 Quality Management
 

38 Safety, Health and Environmental Management System
 

40 ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESSES 

44 Staff Member Fast Facts 

46 LOOK AHEAD 
2 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

INTRODUCTION 

In FY2016, the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) celebrated 70 years in service 

though science. With locations in downtown New York City and the Chicago metropolitan area, NUSTL 

serves as an urban test bed that brings together the interests and initiatives of the federal community 

with the first responder community. The laboratory’s mission activities in test and evaluation (T&E) and 

research and development (R&D) aim to help first responders prepare, protect and respond to homeland 

security threats. 

Technological innovation is necessary to address challenges for the first responder community as well 

as homeland security threats. To answer to these challenges, NUSTL performs tests, evaluations and 

assessments of existing and emerging technologies through a full spectrum of laboratory and field 

testing services. NUSTL’s scientists, engineers and program leads planned and executed T&E activities 

to inform acquisitions and operations, develop more effective technology deployments and integrate first 

responder operations. 

T&E is just one part of the laboratory’s mission that promotes the development and successful 

deployment of technologies and tools in the interest of national security. The laboratory also works 

to enhance first responder capabilities by partnering with stakeholders to develop viable solutions to 

radiological and nuclear threats. NUSTL’s Radiological/Nuclear Response and Recovery (RNRR) Team 

strategically invests in R&D and technology innovations that can characterize and manage a radiological 

incident, save lives and minimize the impacts on communities through incident stabilization and 

radiological clean-up. 

NUSTL’s program and project accomplishments—detailed in this annual report—would not be possible if it 

were not for the hard work and dedication of its highly specialized staff. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 3 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 

As a federal laboratory organized within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and 

Technology Directorate (S&T) First Responders Group (FRG), NUSTL is dedicated to advancing the research, 

development, test and evaluation of homeland security technologies and tools that prepare and protect 

our nation. This Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Annual Report contains a summary of NUSTL’s completed program 

and project milestones, collaboration and outreach, mission and services, laboratory operations, and 

organizational successes. 

The laboratory fulfilled its mission by ensuring effectiveness, performance and suitability of technologies for 

operational deployment. NUSTL’s notable achievements in T&E include: 

Functional testing of 1,079 units of radiation detection equipment; 

Operational field assessments, tests and evaluations of technologies such as the X-ray Scanning Rover, 

the Firefighter Accountability and Proximity System and Standoff Radiation Detectors; 

Provision of radiation sources and technical expertise to support 24 responder training and exercise 

events attended by more than 15 state and local agencies and 

40 new technical reports and knowledge products authored and published by NUSTL to facilitate first 

responder technology acquisition and deployment decisions. 

NUSTL also developed actionable tools and guidance to support local and state emergency managers, 

incident commanders and decision-makers during a radiological or nuclear emergency through its R&D. 

This report contains information on NUSTL’s development of the Radiological Operations Support Specialist, 

a new National Incident Management System-type position, and the Science-based Response Planning 

Guidance for the First 100 Minutes of the Response to a Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) Detonation, 

which offers recommendations on how local response agencies can be successful during the critical 

emergency phase of a response to confirm a radiological release, issue protective actions to the public, 

conduct lifesaving operations, and begin to measure and map areas of contamination. 

These highlights among many other accomplishments from FY2016 are showcased in this annual report. 
4 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

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HISTORY
 

FROM THE MANHATTAN PROJECT TO HOMELAND SECURITY 

NUSTL originated in 1942 during the Manhattan Project of World War II to support atomic energy activities 

for the nation’s defense. Today, NUSTL serves as a trusted, federal resource to the homeland security 

community and state and local first responder agencies for the accelerated delivery and successful end-user 

deployment of technologies and systems. 

A 70 YEAR HISTORY OF SERVICE THROUGH SCIENCE 

NUSTL has more than seven decades of rich history supporting national security needs since its 

establishment in 1947. These are some of the historic milestones that have shaped the laboratory today: 

1947: The laboratory was formed as the Medical Division under the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) 

and later renamed to the Health and Safety Division; focusing on industrial hygiene, radiation protection 

and safety. 

1953: The laboratory became the Health and Safety Laboratory and shifted its focus to measurements 

and assessments of fallout from nuclear weapons tests. 

1961: The laboratory measured radon in mines to assess the health risks of miners. 

1971: The laboratory performed extensive radiation transport and dosimetry studies in and around 

nuclear facilities. 

1974: The AEC was abolished, and the laboratory became part of the Energy Research and Development 

Administration, which was absorbed by the newly created U.S. Department of Energy a few years later. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 5 

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1977: The laboratory became the Environmental Measurements Laboratory (EML) and supported 

environmental monitoring and sampling, fallout measurements, and decommissioning, decontamination 

and remediation efforts. 

1989: After the Three-Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents, the laboratory took immediate measurements 

to provide the ability to accurately and comprehensively reconstruct the environmental contamination 

that resulted from those incidents. 

2003: EML was transferred to DHS under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and began supporting 

homeland security activities that prevent, protect against and respond to radiological and nuclear events 

through research, development, testing and evaluation. 

2009: The laboratory’s name changed to NUSTL, and the mission was realigned to provide a test 

and evaluation capability for technologies and systems addressing a broad range of homeland 

security threats. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

We are NUSTL

NUSTL: A 70+ Year History 

1947 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980

6 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

 of Service To The Nation
 

0s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2017

7
 
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PARTNERING AND COLLABORATING
 

WITH THE FIRST RESPONDER 

COMMUNITY 

A word cloud comprised of more than 70 unique accolades used by customers to describe NUSTL staff members and capabilities. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 9 

2016 PARTNERSHIPS

105

89

18

44

120 

100 

80 

60

40

20

0 

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RESULTS 

NUSTL fostered partnerships with first responder customers that enhanced the laboratory’s mission 

performance and resulted in greater customer satisfaction. NUSTL gathered written feedback and testimony 

from partners and customers that yielded an overwhelming number of positive accolades used to describe 

NUSTL’s products, services and staff interactions. The outstanding record of customer reviews received from 

first responders and federal, state and local entities of the Homeland Security Enterprise represents NUSTL’s 

superior level of customer satisfaction and quality performance. 

INCREASED PARTNERSHIPS 

AND NATIONAL REACH 

NUSTL has engaged with 256 total organizations 

including government agencies, other national 

laboratories, public sector companies and 

universities. By combining the capabilities of our 

people and facility with those of our partners, 

NUSTL is able to provide a faster and more accurate 

response to customer needs, leverage more 

resources to fulfill its mission objectives and more 

effectively accomplish R&D and T&E activities at the 

laboratory. 

NUSTL’s broad range of partnerships and 

collaborators are comprised of first responder 

key customers, project performers, stakeholders 

and government agency representatives from 

federal, state and local levels, who contribute to the 

laboratory’s products and services either through 

direct program or project participation, cooperative 

research or attendance at laboratory events such as 

meetings and technology assessments. NUSTL’s 256 partners are grouped by organizational-type in 

this bar graph. 

70%

Partnership 

Growth
10 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

PARTNERING AND COLLABORATING WITH THE FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNITY

WORKING COLLABORATIVELY FOR GREATER RESULTS 

Throughout FY2016, the laboratory worked with 105 state and local, 89 federal, 18 academic and 44 

private industry organizations. These numbers reflect a 66-percent increase in NUSTL’s partnerships and 

collaborators from the previous calendar year. This increase fostered new ideas among staff members, led 

to the development of new partnership agreements and brought a breadth of experience to NUSTL’s tests, 

evaluations, assessments and other R&D activities. 

Developing a vast network of partnerships and alliances has also expanded NUSTL’s national reach. NUSTL 

gained mutually beneficial relationships with organizations in 68 new cities and nine new states. The 

collaboration map, pictured below, shows the 116 cities located across 36 states where NUSTL currently has 

partnering organizations. 

Collaborations in our strategic work brought 529 unique visitors from 16 domestic states and five countries 

to NUSTL for meetings, workshops, presentations, trainings and other laboratory-based events. 

Our collaboration data map illustrates the span of work NUSTL has accomplished with academia, government and private sector 

partners around the U.S. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 11 

NUSTL Deputy Director Alice Hong and staff members are photographed with the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs Joint Secretary and 

Police Commissioners from major Indian cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai at NUSTL. 

GLOBAL SECURITY 

NUSTL contributes to the value DHS S&T places within its international partners and agreements for research 

collaborations among countries. 

Canada: NUSTL tests GammaPix software technology to support the NYPD in their radiation detection efforts. 

GammaPix is a technology developed by Image Insight Incorporated, which allows video cameras to operate 

as radiation detectors. GammaPix employees from Canada worked with NUSTL scientists for software testing 

and troubleshooting. 

Germany: NUSTL staff members met with Dr. Thorsten Wetzling from the Brandenburg Institute for Society 

and Security in Germany to discuss disaster resilience–specifically, integrated tools for response planning 

and scenario building and broadband communications systems for disaster-response. 

Singapore: NUSTL hosted a delegation of Singaporean government representatives as part of a bilateral 

agreement between DHS S&T and Singapore. The delegation visited New York City to meet with various first 

responders and discuss mutual areas of interest, including screening technologies, biometrics and predictive 

data analytics. 

United Kingdom: Representatives from CNIguard, a manufacturer and distributor specializing in ruggedized 

sensor systems and security related products, visited NUSTL to provide staff with a technology briefing on 

their products. 

India: NUSTL hosted members of the Indian Police Commissioners’ Delegation for capability briefings 

that aligned our shared missions and responsibilities in the homeland security community. The delegation 

of government representatives visited from cities in India including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru 

and Chennai. 
12 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

PARTNERING AND COLLABORATING WITH THE FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNITY

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WHO WE WORK WITH 

NUSTL primarily works with the national first response community and components of the Homeland 

Security Enterprise. Seen below are many of the logos, seals and patches belonging to NUSTL’s partners and 

collaborating organizations. These images include federal, state and local government agencies, as well as 

first responder organizations spanning across fire service, law enforcement, medical/health and emergency 

management discipline areas. 

The below list outlines some of the private sector companies and academic institutions that NUSTL worked 

with throughout this fiscal year. 

PRIVATE SECTOR 

Abbey Services Incorporated 

American Academy of Health Physics 

Consolidated Edison Incorporated 

Health Physics Society 

Image Insight, Incorporated 

MSA Safety Incorporated 

National Property Management Association 

Thermo Fisher 

ACADEMIA 

Bergen County Academies 

Georgia Tech Research Institute 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

New York University 

Stevens Institute of Technology, 

Maritime Security Center 

Stony Brook University 

University of Colorado 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 13 

NEW YORK AREA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FORUMS 

NUSTL manages and hosts New York Area Science and Technology Forums (NYAST) to promote the 

advancement and exchange of information in today’s science and technology applications, with a special 

focus on first responders. Through the NYAST program, the laboratory conducted a series of three forums on 

emerging technologies from DHS S&T’s Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) Apex program, which works 

to develop cutting-edge solutions that can improve first responders’ protection, safety, response time and 

decision-making. The series was followed by a later forum on the topic of countering violent extremism. 

NUSTL’s NYAST membership grew to surpass 500 members comprised of first responders, emergency 

response professionals, federal, state and local homeland security officials, as well as academia and 

private sector groups. The four quarterly forums conducted this fiscal year attracted attendance from 104 

NYAST members representing 45 unique organizations including Consolidated Edison, Customs and Border 

Protection, FDNY, NYPD, Stevens Institute of Technology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

NUSTL REACHES 512 TOTAL NYAST MEMBERS 

Federal 

State 

Local 

First Responder 

Agencies 

Private Sector 

Academia 

141 

142 

124 

48 

39 

18 
NYAST 38: JUNE 21, 2016 

Connected—Having a Lifeline 

When It’s Needed Most 

NYAST 37: MAR 9, 2016 

Protected—Defending Against 

Life-Threatening Hazards 

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PARTNERING AND COLLABORATING WITH THE FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNITY

NYAST 36: OCT 23, 2015 

Fully Aware—Making Informed 

Decisions that Save Lives 

NYAST 39: MAR 9, 2016 

Countering Violent Extremism 

Audience members were introduced to situational 

awareness and the technologies that can assist first 

responders in making the most informed decisions. 

Advances in awareness technologies included indoor 

tracking, heads-up displays and the Assistant for 

Understanding Data Through Reasoning Extraction and 

Synthesis (AUDREY), a human-like reasoning program 

for automated big data analytics. 

Prototypes of protected technologies, including the 

Burn Saver Thermal Sensor, Improved Structure 

Firefighting Glove, Physiological Monitoring Sensors and 

Wireless Physiological and Environmental Monitoring 

(WiPEM), were shared by the NGFR and ResponderTechnologies programs to show how they 

can improve first responders’ safety and protect 

them from the hazards they face every day. 

Representatives from Balfour Technologies presented 

the Machine-to-Machine (M2M), an Internet-of-Things 

architecture focusing on network connectivity to improve 

the ability of wired and wireless technologies. This was 

followed by discussions on the communications systems 

crucial for responders during emergencies. The National 

Aeron autics and Space Administration demonstrated 

the AUDREY’s integration with the Android Tactical 

Awareness Kit to show how the technologies create 

a fully interoperable system. 

The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism 

and Responses to Terrorism led an interactive 

demonstration of the Terrorism and Extremist Violence 

in the United States (TEVUS) Portal with end users 

from the audience. TEVUS integrates characteristics 

of terrorism and extremist crime, including 

perpetrator and geospatial information. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 15 

Relationships (PIONEER) program, NUSTL hosted groups 

Operational Needs through Embedding for Effective 

Partnering for Innovation and 

NUSTLs Sprint participants from left to right: Matt Monetti, 
 ’

Abby Hooper, Shmuel Link and Andy Chen during a 


PIONEER trip to each of the five DHS Laboratories and 


S&T Headquarters.
 

Teaming with First Responder 

Resource Group Members 

The First Responder Resource Group (FRRG) is an all-volunteer working group that helps DHS S&T’s First 

Responders Group focus on the top-priority needs of responders across the nation. FRRG Member Captain 

Dan Dooley of the NYPD’s Manhattan South Narcotics, VICE and Gang Squads is responsible for criminal 

investigations into narcotics, prostitution, gambling, human trafficking and gang crime south of Central Park. 

The NUSTL team invited Captain Dooley to the lab for collaboration meetings. He said he was amazed by the 

lab’s capabilities and the projects NUSTL has in the pipeline. To him, first responders are lucky to have labs 

such as NUSTL staffed with dedicated professionals. Visit the FRG Responder Spotlight: Dan Dooley to 

learn more. 

Through the DHS S&T’s 

of representatives from the DHS S&T Chemical Security 

Analysis Center, Transportation Security Laboratory and S&T 

Headquarters at Vermont Avenue for several Sprint visits 

throughout the year. Staff members provided laboratory 

tours and briefed the visitors on NUSTL’s programs and 

projects to help broaden awareness of the capabilities and 

operations across the Science and Technology Directorate. 
16 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

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TESTING AND EVALUATION
 

COUNTER-UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS TESTING AND EVALUATION SUPPORT 

NUSTL formed a Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) Testing and Evaluation Team to support the DHS 

S&T Program Executive Office (PEO) for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The team participated in numerous 

test events to support data collection efforts and observe the evaluation criteria, logistics, operations and 

systems for future inclusion in projects and C-UAS test activities at NUSTL. 

Test and evaluation events included: 

Boston Police Department’s Full Scale Complex Operating Environment Training Exercise 

Rapid Equipping Force Desert Chance III Community of Interest Event 

Demonstration of Skywall 100 

Science and Technology Systems Adaptive Red Team Systems C-UAS Field Experiment 2-16 

Community of Interest Days 

Black Dart Exercise on C-UAS 

MITRE Challenge for C-UAS 

In addition, NUSTL’s C-UAS T&E Team participated in various site visits with interagency partners. 

Using pre-existing site selection requirements, the team surveyed the following UAS/C-UAS test sites to 

evaluate their potential to serve as a test range: 

Cameron County Airport in Port Isabel, Texas 

Charles R. Johnson Airport in Port Mansfield, Texas 

Chase Field Facilities in Beeville, Texas 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 17 

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Chase Field Airport in Beeville, Texas 

Disaster City, a facility near College Station, Texas 

Riverside, a facility near College Station, Texas 

U.S. Department of Defense, Eglin Airforce Base in Eglin, Florida 

U.S. Army’s Armament Research Development and Engineering Center, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 

Staff attendance at these events expanded NUSTL’s role as the lead C-UAS Test Agent to the DHS PEO UAS. 

NUSTL will lead Technical Assessment for Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems Technologies in Cities (TACTIC) 

2017, which is a two-part technical assessment of C-UAS technologies. Part one, in summer 2017, will allow 

C-UAS technology developers to test their equipment and make modifications to account for conditions at the

assessment site. The second part, being planned for late fall 2017, will be a scored assessment to evaluate

the C-UAS technology and its ability to detect, track and identify different small-UAS under varying conditions

and use-cases.

NUSTL’s TACTIC planning and C-UAS T&E project-work is conducted in close coordination with the DHS PEO 

UAS and in collaboration with DHS T&E performers including the Stevens Institute of Technology, Homeland 

Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute operated by the MITRE Corporation, the Aerospace 

Corporation and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory. 

PERFORMANCE TESTING AND EVALUATION AT NUSTL 

The Performance Test and Evaluation at NUSTL (PTEN) program supports the national need to detect and 

protect against radiological and nuclear threats by conducting functional tests of law enforcement radiation 

detection equipment before they are used by responders in the field. PTEN ensures that equipment supplied 

to first responders works as designed and that all supporting materials are delivered. As a result of PTEN, 

first responders have increased confidence in their equipment because they know each unit has been 

independently tested. 
18 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

TESTING AND EVALUATION

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PTEN technical staff members Andy Chen and John Kada conduct conformance checks on RadEye PRD units. 

PTEN was developed by NUSTL and is made possible in part by a Memorandum of Understanding with the 

NYPD, which states all radiation detection equipment purchased through the Domestic Nuclear Detection 

Office (DNDO) Securing the Cities (STC) program be tested by NUSTL. STC is a cooperative federal, state and 

local program, which seeks to design and implement architecture for coordinated and integrated detection 

and interdiction of illicit radiological materials that may be used as weapons. 

PTEN was expanded to include testing equipment beyond STC, including other first responder agencies 

and equipment deployed within the New York City metropolitan area purchased under non-STC funding. In 

addition to testing and evaluation, PTEN provides: 

Technical guidance and support to responders for radiological detection devices 

Warehousing and logistical expertise to facilitate deployment of equipment 

Over 17,500 pieces of first responder equipment have been tested since the program’s inception in 2009. 

In FY2016, NUSTL received, tested and deployed 1,079 pieces of equipment for eight different first 

responder agencies. 

The equipment included: 

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12 Backpack Detectors 1,034 PRDs and 

5 Personal Digital Assistants 28 Radioisotope Identifiers (RIIDs) 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 19 

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Images of the radiation detection equipment tested at NUSTL from left to right: Backpack Detector, GF 10-EX PRDs, RadEye PRDs 

and RIIDs. 

Through the STC program, NUSTL tests equipment for many of the tri-state area first responder organizations 

including the following: 

Department of Environmental Protection NYPD
 

Police Department
 Port Authority of NY and NJ Police Department 

FDNY 

Rockland County Police Department 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority 

Suffolk County Police Department Police Department 

Nassau County Police Department 

New York State Division of Homeland Security 

and Emergency Services 

NUSTL has received favorable comments from responder organizations about the PTEN program: 

“My overall experience was positive, and I would recommend NUSTL’s Performance Test and Evaluation 

program to fellow first responders.”— NYPD 

“As the NYPD’s primary testing facility for CBRNE equipment, NUSTL is head and shoulders one of the 

most professional organization’s I have dealt with.” — NYPD 

“Having NUSTL conduct initial testing has been a tremendous help. Generally speaking I am confident 

to issue out equipment directly that has been checked by NUSTL.” — New York State Department of 

Environmental Conservation Police 

“NUSTL is a wonderful partner to work with in the very important mission of quality training to our first 

responder community...all operations went smoothly and any problems were dealt with promptly.” 

— Suffolk County Police Department 
20 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

TESTING AND EVALUATION

NUSTL’s work for FDNY was well received. The FDNY’s Battalion Chief for Hazmat Operations said of NUSTL’s work, 

“NUSTL has done an outstanding job for the FDNY. The FDNY and I thank you.” 

In FY2016, NUSTL completed a project aimed at testing previously used and excessed equipment for DNDO. 

Over several years, PTEN tested 1,354 PRDs and 155 RIIDs that were previously deployed by the USCG. The 

goal of the testing was to provide a subset of units that could be deployed to state and local first responders 

to allow them to plan future radiation detection/protection programs. Of the units tested, roughly 30 

percent of the PRDs and 40 percent of the RIIDs were redeployed. The remaining units were returned to the 

respective vendors for decommission due to the age of the equipment.
 

Additionally, PTEN initiated a new project working directly with FDNY to support their use of electronic 

dosimetry equipment as a part of their personnel protection program. This support is a follow-on to a 2014 

effort by NUSTL to design and implement a test of equipment that FDNY was considering for purchase. 

Through direct interaction with the FDNY’s Hazmat Battalion, a set of checks was developed for these 

electronic dosimeters at the one- and two-year marks of service. During this fiscal year, PTEN tested 811 

electronic dosimeters for FDNY. 

RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 

SYSTEM QUALITY ASSURANCE 

The Radiological Emergency Management System (REMS), 

a network of gamma radiation sensors, provides real-time,
 

city-wide data for response and recovery from a radiological
 

or nuclear event. REMS was designed at NUSTL and fieldtested over the course of five years. Through a cooperative
	

research and development agreement, the REMS concept and 

design was commercialized, enabling NYPD and other first 

responder agencies, to purchase the system in the commercial
 

marketplace. NYPD implemented the commercialized system,
 

and REMS is now fully operational in outdoor locations
 

throughout the New York City metropolitan area.
 

NUSTL continued to provide its REMS quality assurance support to the NYPD. Engineer Brian Albert observed
 

the temporary rooftop installation of the RadHalo by the NYPD. The RadHalo is an improved version of the
 

REMS, which is installed at dozens of locations throughout New York City. The RadHalo resolves issues
 

uncovered by NUSTL’s quality assurance tests, technical support and calibration of REMS. 

Albert demonstrated REMS during the DHS S&T First Responder Technology Hill Day. This event provided
 

an opportunity for DHS S&T FRG to showcase its cutting-edge technology solutions to members of Congress
 

through a series of hands on demonstrations. Hill Day showcased technologies currently being developed and
 

successfully transitioned to first responders. 

NUSTL Engineer Brian Albert (left) presents the 

REMS to New York Representative Daniel M. Donovan 

(middle) and the former Under Secretary for Science 

and Technology Dr. Reginald Brothers (right). 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 21 

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Albert was accompanied by NUSTL’s first responder partners, Radiation Safety Officer Andy Karam, NYPD, 

and Joseph Brandine, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, who supported discussions on NUSTL’s 

deployment of REMS throughout New York City including Grand Central Terminal. Hill Day was sponsored by 

New York Representative Dan Donovan, Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee- Subcommittee on 

Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications and was conducted at the Rayburn House Office 

Building in Washington, D.C. 

SYSTEM ASSESSMENT AND VALIDATION FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS 

NUSTL’s System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) program conducts impartial, 

practitioner-relevant, operationally oriented assessments and validations of emergency response equipment 

and systems. SAVER develops knowledge products that enable decision-makers and responders to better 

select, procure, use and maintain emergency response equipment. These knowledge products are shared 

nationally with the responder community through the SAVER section of the DHS S&T website, 

www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/SAVER, and provide a life- and cost-saving asset to DHS, as well as to 

federal, state and local responders. 

In FY2016, NUSTL published 29 SAVER reports, including two application notes, six technotes, nine market 

survey reports, eight highlights and four assessment reports. Additionally, three SAVER-on-Demand projects 

were initiated, and one was completed. SAVER-on-Demand projects originate from direct requests made by 

emergency response organizations for the evaluation of specific technologies or equipment. The published 

reports are listed below and posted to the S&T website. 

4G Mobile Broadband Routers Highlight 

4G Mobile Broadband Routers TechNote 

Ballistic-Resistant Body Armor for Women TechNote 

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Air-Purifying Respirators Highlight 

Digital Forensics Tools TechNote 

Enhanced Law Enforcement Uniforms Market Survey Report 

Explosive Trace Detectors TechNote 

GIS Disaster Event Models with Population Data in Response TechNote 

Handheld Multi-Gas Detectors Application Note 

Handheld Multi-Gas Detectors Highlight 

Handheld Multi-Gas Meters Assessment Report 
22 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

TESTING AND EVALUATION

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Handheld Multi-Gas Meters Highlight 

Handheld Multi-Gas Meters Market 

Survey Report 

Handheld Radiation Survey Meters Market 

Survey Report 

Handheld Thermal Imagers Application Note 

Hearing Protection with Integrated Radio 

Communications Assessment Report 

Hearing Protection with Integrated Radio 

Communications Highlight 

Hearing Protection with Integrated Radio 

Communications Market Survey Report 

Individual Officer Trauma Kits Highlight 

Individual Officer Trauma Kits Market 

Survey Report 

Passive Infrared Systems for Remote Chemical 

Detection Assessment Report 

Passive Infrared Systems for Remote Chemical 

Detection Market Survey Report 

Portable Infrared Spectroscopy Chemical 

Detectors Assessment Report 

Portable Infrared Spectroscopy Chemical 

Detectors Highlight 

Radiation Dosimeters for Response and 

Recovery Market Survey Report 

Satellite Mobile Phones Market Survey Report 

Text Mining and Analysis Market Survey Report 

Thermal Imagers Highlight 

Throwable Robots TechNote 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 23 

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NUSTL conducted four SAVER assessments, which 

involved 28 emergency responder participants from 

19 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, 

Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, New 

Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South 

Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. 

These assessments provided comparative analyses of 

the equipment tested by the first responders, including 

individual evaluation category and criteria scores as 

well as overall scores. The assessments focused on the 

following technology areas: 

Fourier Transform Infrared Chemical Detectors 

Handheld Multi-Gas Meters 

Hearing Protection with Integrated Radio 

Communications 

Standoff Infrared Gas Detectors 

Focus groups comprised of first responders are 

conducted prior to SAVER assessments and are used 

to establish evaluation criteria for the equipment, 

develop test scenarios and select the products to be 

assessed. NUSTL conducted six focus groups, which 

included 48 emergency responder participants from 

13 states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, 

New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, 

South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and 

Wisconsin. These focus groups were concentrated on 

the following technology areas: 

Handheld Multi-Gas Detectors 

Handheld Radionuclide Identification Devices 

Passive Infrared Systems for Remote 

Chemical Detection 

Hearing Protection with Integrated 

Radio Communications 

Portable Radiation Portal Monitors 

CBRN Air-Purifying Respirators 

Director Adam Hutter speaks to Port Authority Police Officer 

James Griglio at the SAVER RID Focus Group. 

Evaluators assessed the clarity of radio communications 

while a 9-mm pistol was fired during the Hearing Protection 

with Integrated Radio Communications SAVER Assessment. 
24 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

TESTING AND EVALUATION

RESPONDER-TECHNOLOGIES TESTING AND EVALUATION SUPPORT
 

NUSTL supports FRG’s First Responder Technologies (R-Tech) division by planning and managing the testing 

of first responder technologies in operational and laboratory settings. NUSTL assesses the capabilities and 

operational suitability of R-Tech-funded solutions to assist in the quick transition of these technologies to the 

commercial market. 

NUSTL conducted three operational field assessments for R-Tech including the Firefighter Accountability and 

Proximity system, X-Ray Scanning Rover and Lost Person Locator software. NUSTL also facilitated a focus 

group on a base garment concept uniform. 

The Firefighter Accountability and Proximity (FFAP) Operational Field Assessment (OFA) was led by Test 

Engineer Bhargav Patel and conducted in Butler, Pennsylvania. Designed by TRX Systems, Incorporated, 

the FFAP technology helps to locate downed firefighters and improve situational awareness among team 

members during structural firefighting operations. Several test scenarios were conducted to familiarize 

evaluators with the FFAP device and help them determine how to incorporate the device during structural 

fires and lost person recovery scenarios. Nine members of the Herman County Volunteer Fire Company and 

one member of the Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department participated in the test scenarios and provided 

their feedback during the OFA. Employees from MSA Safety Incorporated and the technology developer, TRX 

Systems Incorporated, also attended the event. The feedback provided by the evaluators during the OFA will 

be used to further assess the prototype’s ability to quickly understand the status and location of firefighters 

on the scene of an incident. 

NUSTL Test Engineer Bhargav Patel (far right) conducting an 

outdoor test scenario alongside participating firefighters from 

Herman County and Rocky Grove Volunteer fire departments. 

The FFAP is placed on display during the OFA. 

The X-Ray Scanning Rover (XSR) OFA was led 

by Physicist Gladys Klemic and Engineer Cecilia 

Murtagh. The XSR is a robotic tool used for the 

rapid scanning of large numbers of unattended 

parcels. The technology has been developed for use 

during incidents such as a terrorist attack, active 

shooter event or public evacuation, where bomb 

squads are called to investigate suspicious items for 

possible explosives. Initially, the XSR was developed 

through R-Tech in a custom-built robotic platform 

to demonstrate its capability. After a successful 

demonstration, S&T awarded a contract to conduct 

a feasibility study to determine the final design 

and build an XSR prototype for transition into the 

commercial market. 

The XSR OFA took place at the United States Pentagon 

Emergency Response Center in Arlington, Virginia, 

where evaluators assessed and provided feedback on 

the suitability and operations of the XSR. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 25 

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During the OFA, Klemic and Murtagh led various 

experiments, simulating both outdoor and indoor 

operational scenarios, to assess the XSR’s usability 

by law enforcement during field operations. 

First responders and representatives from Customs 

and Border Protection, Michigan State Police, 

NYPD’s Bomb Squad, Pentagon Force Protection 

Agency, Transportation Security Administration and 

a bomb squad for Montgomery County, Maryland, 

participated in the event. 

A Lost Person Locator OFA was led by Test Engineer 

Bhargav Patel and Program Manager Brian Warner. 

The Lost Person Locator is a suite of search and 

rescue initial response tools. The OFA focused on 

the FINDER software for the Lost Person Locator. 

Participants operated the software in parallel 

to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office annual 

search and rescue exercise in Bend, Oregon. 

NUSTL trained some of the participating search 

and rescue volunteers and first responders in 

preparation for the mock scenarios that were 

incorporated at the annual exercise. The OFA 

assisted in determining whether the technology 

will gain operational acceptance within the first 

responder community. 

Lastly, Test Engineer Bhargav Patel facilitated an 

R-Tech focus group at the Montgomery County Fire 

Department in Silver Spring, Maryland to assess 

a base garment concept uniform developed by 

Luna Innovations Incorporated, aimed to help 

meet the needs of multi-agency first responders. 

Six Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service 

firefighters tested two styles of shirts and two 

styles of pants to narrow down concepts for further 

development. Representatives from North Carolina 

State University and the United Kingdom Home 

Office also attended. 

During the XSR OFA, the evaluators scanned packages of 

various sizes, materials and contents placed in different 

configurations and on level and inclined ground with asphalt 

and grass surfaces. 

Participating first responders conduct a search and rescue 

scenario to evaluate the Lost Person Locator and FINDER 

software at NUSTL s SAVER Assessment. 

Evaluators assess a range of criteria including usability and 

comfort while wearing the base garment uniform. 
26 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

TESTING AND EVALUATION

RESPONDER TRAINING AND EXERCISE SUPPORT
 

NUSTL established its Responder Training and Exercise (RTE) program in 2009 to support the DNDO’s STC. 

STC aims to prevent radiological or nuclear attacks on high-risk urban areas by helping local and state 

responder agencies to detect and interdict illicit radioactive and nuclear material. In support of STC, NUSTL’s 

RTE program assists first responder agencies in the New York City metropolitan area with their radiation 

detection training sessions and exercises by providing licensed radiation sources, training materials and 

technical support. 

NUSTL Engineer Brian Albert provides source handling support during Nassau County Police Department’s personal radiation 

detector training class. 

NUSTL’s RTE Team, led by Radiation Safety Officer Carl Schopfer and staff members Engineer Brian Albert, 

Operations Analyst Andy Chen, Engineer Norman Chiu, Program Manager Ethel Davis, Chemist Karin Decker, 

Support Contractor Kris Dooley, Physicist Paul Goldhagen, Test Engineer Shmuel Link, Test Manager Matt 

Monetti, Property Manager Robert Stocco, Electronics Engineer William Van Steveninck and Program 

Manager Brian Warner supported 24 training events for more than 450 first responders at 15 state and 

local agencies. The RTE Team also provided several facility tours throughout the year to share their work and 

technical expertise. 

This included four Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) Personal Radiation Detector Training courses 

at the SCPD Training Academy in Brentwood, New York, which focused on the use of person-worn radiation 

detector devices. Participants came from SCPD as well as the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, Stony Brook 

University Police Department, East Hampton Town Police Department, Southampton Police Department and 

Hempstead Police Department. 

NUSTL also provided radiation sources and technical support to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 

Stabilization Program Exercise at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Jamaica, New York. During the 

exercise, experts from the FBI New York Stabilization Unit trained special operations teams from the Port 

Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department and the FBI on their Concept of Operations in 

responding to an Improvised Nuclear Device. 

NUSTL supported the NYPD Harbor Unit during multi-agency chokepoint exercises, which helps keep the 

New York Harbor-area maritime responder partners up-to-date in choke point tactics and radiation detection 

operations on harbor waters. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 27 

NUSTL provided radioactive sources, equipment and 

technical staff for these exercises, which took place at 

the Verrazano and Throgs Neck Bridges, with vessels 

participating from the NYPD Harbor Unit, USCG, 

Nassau County Police Department, NYPD Counterterrorism Unit, New Jersey State Police, DHS and the 

New York Department of Environmental Conservation. 

For its support in the chokepoint exercises, NUSTL 

received a letter of appreciation from NYPD Harbor 

Unit Executive Officer, Captain Anthony Russo, on 

behalf of the NYPD Harbor Unit and members of the 

Securing the Cities Maritime Subcommittee. The 

letter thanked the NUSTL team and Radiation Source 

Officer Carl Schopfer for providing source materials 

and expertise during their maritime chokepoint 

exercises, which are critical to the security of New York 

City. NUSTL’s provision of radioactive sources allowed 

members of each agency to test the capabilities of 

their equipment and personnel in realistic scenarios. 

Since 2009, NUSTL has supported training and 

exercises for more than 1,800 state and local first 

responders. To ensure the best services are provided 

to first responder partners, the RTE team regularly 

trains on all applicable standards and regulations. 

NUSTL’s source support includes maintaining a set of 

radioactive sources as well as a specialized work force 

that can be deployed to support first responder training

 and exercise events. NUSTL provides radioactive sources 

and equipment as seen above, to provide first responders a 

better understanding of the physical principles involved in 

radiation detection. 

NYPD Harbor Unit vessel is pictured during a choke point 

exercise conducted on harbor waters. 

“On behalf of the New York City Police Department, the Harbor Unit, and members of the Securing the Cities Maritime 

Subcommittee, I would like to thank you for your support by providing us with the availability of source materials 

and the expertise of Carl Schopfer and his team. The maritime chokepoints that your teams were present for are 

critical to the security of New York City. Making actual radioactive sources available for realistic scenarios allow 

members of each agency present to test the capabilities of their equipment and personnel. Carl and his assistants 

were highly attentive to our needs and requirements. They were willing to help in any way possible. In addition to 

safeguarding the source materials, they were eager to answer any related questions and made helpful suggestions 

when and where appropriate. Their knowledge, input and enthusiasm were most helpful. We appreciate your 

substantial commitment to advancing our mission of keeping New York City safe and secure. We hope that you can 

continue this ongoing commitment.” 

— Executive Officer NYPD Harbor Unit 
28 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

TESTING AND EVALUATION

URBAN OPERATIONAL EXPERIMENTATION 

NUSTL published eight Urban Operational Experimentation (OpEx) Reports, assessing the technologies that 

were tested during the DHS S&T Urban OpEx event. This three-day event took place throughout the New York 

City metropolitan area and brought together first responders and product developers to experiment with 

emerging technologies in urban operational conditions. 

Urban OpEx was supported by the New York City Emergency Management, Port Authority of New York and 

New Jersey, FDNY, as well as the FRRG. First responder feedback was collected during the experimentation 

scenarios and utilized to develop and publish the following Experimentation Reports: 

Knight Robot: An unmanned ground vehicle developed for explosives detection and removal applications. 

This device is equipped with surveillance and manipulator arms that can be operated remotely at a distance 

of up to 600 meters from its operator. During Urban OpEx, the KnightRobot was configured with the 

HAZPROBE, a tool to drill into and view the interior of confined spaces. 

X-Ray Scanning Rover: A custom robot with a fold-out arm that can X-ray packages of any length in a single 

scan while the operator remotely controls the unit. The design is geared toward rapid inspection of multiple 

bags left behind due to an evacuation or emergency. 

BioFlash-E: A biological identifier that collects and analyzes atmospheric aerosol samples for a suite 

of biological pathogens. BioFlash-E can be used for biological monitoring at fixed locations and can be 

configured to be transported, set up and operated by a single person. 

RepKnight: An open-source data platform that performs real-time monitoring and analysis of social media for 

keywords, trends and sentiment using a web-based browser. 

Internet of Things Networks for First Responders: A low-power, handheld, prototype transmitter-receiver 

technology. This technology is capable of sending and receiving signals through challenging environments, 

such as reinforced concrete buildings, using a unique multipath technique. 

Tridion-9: A portable gas chromatography/mass spectrometry system that can analyze volatiles and 

semi-volatiles for chemical warfare agents and other substances to determine what is present at an 

emergency incident. 

FIDO B2: A networked, bio-active clarifier bio-aerosol detector that alarms when an airborne bio-threat is 

detected. The technology is intended to bridge a technology gap in situational awareness by enhancing the 

ability to detect, monitor and analyze passive and active threats and hazards at incident scenes in real time. 

Situational Heads Up Display: A micro liquid crystal display that presents data without requiring end users 

to look outside of their view point. The technology is intended to increase situational awareness through an 

integrated global positioning system that provides position and direction information. 

An OpEx video reel is published on the DHS S&T Microsite to showcase the Urban OpEx technologies. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 29 

NEUTRON BENCHMARKING 

To aid scientists and engineers designing and deploying systems to detect nuclear threats, NUSTL Physicist Paul 

Goldhagen collaborated with scientists at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of Delaware 

to understand variations in the neutron background. The collaboration has developed detailed calculations 

of background neutrons on a global matrix of locations. NUSTL has measured the intensity and energy 

distribution of cosmogenic neutrons on airplanes, ships and land, and continues to analyze the measurements 

to benchmark, correct and verify the calculations. While doing so, Goldhagen discovered previously unreported 

effects of temperature on the detection sensitivity of polyethylene-moderated neutron detectors, the most 

common type of large neutron detector used for homeland security applications. 

NUSTL hosted “Principles of Neutron Detection for Interdiction of Nuclear Threats,” a presentation on neutron 

detection for first responders. The presentation was conducted by Dr. Paul Goldhagen in cooperation with the 

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Goldhagen provided a live demonstration of neutron 

detection principles and challenges to more than 40 audience members from the first responder community, 

government agencies, private sector and academia partners, representing approximately 20 organizations. The 

presentation explained what neutrons are, why they are important to homeland security, where they come from, 

how they are detected, what “moderation” is and why it is important and how neutrons differ from gamma rays. 
30 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 

RADIOLOGICAL/NUCLEAR RESPONSE AND RECOVERY RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 

NUSTL’s Radiological/Nuclear Response and Recovery (RNRR) Research & Development (R&D) 

program continued to support state and local responders to prepare for radiological and nuclear 

emergencies. To accomplish this, NUSTL executed and commissioned a variety of projects with the 

federal interagency, national laboratories and other partners. The RNRR R&D program aims to meet 

the following goals: 

Increase capability at all levels of government to manage and characterize complex and 

catastrophic radiological and nuclear incidents 

Improve responder ability to save lives during the initial response operations of a 

radiological incident 

Minimize impact to community and economy through improved methods of incident stabilization, 

radiological clean up and recovery. 

The RNRR R&D program advanced two flagship projects that contributed to the achievement of 

those goals: 

Increase Local Capability to Manage Radiological Incidents—Piloting Science-Based Radiological 

Dispersal Device (RDD) Guidance 

Supporting Local Responders with Radiological Expertise 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 31 

INCREASING LOCAL CAPABILITIES TO 

MANAGE RADIOLOGICAL INCIDENTS 

The RNRR Team led a pilot program to gather feedback on 

a NUSTL-and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-developed 

planning tool, called the Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) 

Response Guidance; Planning for the First 100 Minutes. The 

pilot program included the following jurisdictions: New York, 

New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Fort Collins, Colorado 

and the state of New Mexico and was conducted to better 

understand how science and research can assist U.S. cities 

developing response protocols to an RDD detonation in 

their jurisdictions. 

The local response planning agencies that participated in the 

pilot process learned from the scientific expertise of the DOE 

and used the operationally-focused guidance to expand on 

existing, or develop new, concepts of operations, roles and 

responsibilities and resource needs. 

The information and feedback provided by pilot participants were used by NUSTL to clarify concepts and 

requirements and validate or adjust the operational recommendations included in the guidance. 

As part of the pilot process participants were also introduced, and in some instances, trained on the 

RadResponder tool, fostering a key partnership between DHS S&T and the Federal Emergency Management 

Agency (FEMA) on radiological data collection. RadResponder is a web application developed jointly by FEMA, 

DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that helps emergency managers and incident 

commanders visualize radiological contamination in real time by providing a platform for collecting and 

mapping on-the-ground radiological measurements from responders in the field. In conjunction with the pilot 

process, NUSTL and DOE worked with the RadResponder team to integrate key elements of the guidance, 

including protective action zones and radiological survey strategies, into the user interface to support local 

responders in operationalizing the scientific recommendations. 
32 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

A 10-Point Monitoring Plan layer can be added into 

RadResponder to allow first responders to visualize the 

suggested points for monitoring on a map. 

A RadResponder screen showing the 10-point monitoring 

survey points overlaying a map image of a radiological 

incident. This feature is one example of the guidance tools 

jointly developed by NUSTL and selected for integration in 

FEMA’s RadResponder system. 

RadResponder is a free resource for the first responder community on radiological/nuclear preparedness 

and looking ahead to future years, a likely home to many of the tools and resources developed by the RNRR 

R&D program. 

PILOTING ACTION-ORIENTED TOOLS AND GUIDANCE 

The Fort Collins pilot was a great example of NUSTL’s success working with first responders. Using the 

guidance, jointly developed with the DOE’s Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and Sandia National 

Laboratories, the pilot process consisted of three full-day sessions spread across approximately three months 

to introduce the research and science that form the basis of the guidance and to delve into complex planning 

matters that an RDD would pose to a locality. Collaboratively, the RNRR team, along with representatives 

from the state of Colorado, city of Fort Collins and DOE planned and refined response protocols tailored for 

the city of Fort Collins. 

Approximately 50 first responders, state agency representatives and federal partners participated in each of 

the sessions to discuss key response elements such as initial recognition, notifications and measuring and 

mapping radiological data. Fort Collins also established a working group focused on public messaging and 

communications to ensure a clear and cohesive message on protective actions can be delivered across the 

response agencies quickly. 

During the last session of the pilot, the Fort Collins Office of Emergency Management presented a draft of 

the local response protocol and led a facilitated discussion with pilot participants to understand next steps 

and opportunities for improvement and advancement in this planning area. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 33 

A photo of the participants during the Conference for Radiation Control Program Director’s Annual Meeting. NUSTL’s Orly Amir is 

pictured fourth from the left in the back row. 

SUPPORTING LOCAL RESPONDERS WITH RADIOLOGICAL EXPERTISE 

NUSTL funded and managed the development of a FEMA-led course to train the first Radiological Operations 

Support Specialist (ROSS) candidates. A ROSS, once transitioned to FEMA’s National Incident Management 

System suite of typed positions, will provide trained and certified radiation expertise to support emergency 

managers, incident commanders and local decision-makers during a radiological or nuclear emergency. 

The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) physically hosted the first course in 

Linthicum, Maryland. There were 16 students in attendance from various state and local agencies, 

academia and private sector companies, including the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental 

Protection, Arizona Radiation Regulatory Authority, Iowa Department of Public Health and the University 

of Michigan. 

The need for a ROSS during a radiological or nuclear incident is clear. Emergency managers, incident 

commanders and other local and state response personnel require an understanding of the nuances of 

radiological health and safety to protect the public and responders during the emergency response and 

contamination containment and decontamination strategies in the later phases of the response. These 

on-scene radiation specialists can provide this specific expertise to local responders, augmenting and 

supporting the radiological expertise that may already exist. 

During the pilot course, students participated in lectures and interactive learning activities to hone their 

ability to communicate technical information effectively, interpret modeling and briefing products and 

understand key references and documents. Instructors led drills and exercises to reinforce how the ROSS 

will employ these tools during an emergency response. The ROSS Steering Committee, which includes 

representatives from NUSTL, FEMA, DOE and CRCPD, as well as subject matter experts with backgrounds in 

radiological response, federal integration, and training, evaluated the pilot course to support the integration 

into the FEMA course catalog in future years. 
34 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

CONTINUING MEANINGFUL FIRST 

RESPONDER FOCUSED RADIOLOGICAL/ 

NUCLEAR R&D 

The RNRR Team initiated four new projects focused on 

fulfilling operational capabilities for first responders in 

radiological/nuclear response. The program continued 

working on previous fiscal year work, and also wrapped 

up several projects during FY2016. 

NEW R&D MISSION-WORK: 

Research on how radar systems can track plume clouds for 

incident characterization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 

along with FEMA and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, 

are collaborating to understand how existing radar systems 

can be used to characterize radiological incidents, influence 

modeling and support decision-making. 

Leveraging Municipal Equipment to Manage Radiological 

Contamination: The EPA’s National Homeland Security 

Research Center, in collaboration with Argonne National 

Laboratory, is researching how public works equipment, such 

as street sweepers, garbage trucks and snow plows that 

local cities own and operate, can be used for contamination 

containment and gross decontamination. Additionally, this 

work will expand the EPA’s Waste Estimate Support Tool 

(WEST) to better meet the needs of the first responder 

community in estimating waste from a radiological response 

for planning purposes. 

Development of ROSS Tools and Products: The DOE National Nuclear Security Administration is leveraging 

its network of national laboratories and subject matter experts to fill ROSS capability needs and gaps. This 

will include expanding a ROSS toolkit, improving the ROSS five-day training course, and additional job aids 

and incident support materials. 

Assessment of International Radiological/Nuclear Tools for Use by First Responders: BNL is investigating 

the tools and products developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency to determine how they could be 

used by first responders in the United States. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 35 

COMPLETED R&D PROJECTS: 

NUSTL completed several projects in FY2016. The 

outcomes of these efforts have been transitioned 

to first responder customers and federal 

components as described below. Follow-on work 

continues at NUSTL and will result in new FY2017 

R&D investments. 

Gross Decontamination and Waste Management 

Technology: NUSTL partnered with the EPA to 

develop a first responder field tool providing 

guidance on techniques, procedures and the 

use of common/available equipment to reduce 

and control contamination following a radiological 

incident; minimizing exposure hazards to 

responders and citizens. 

Research on Improving IND Decision Making 

through Virtual Training Skill Transfer: NUSTL 

supported the Massachusetts Institute of 

Technology Lincoln Laboratory in cataloging 

emergency decision making requirements during 

an Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) incident, 

and understanding what skills can be directly 

transferred from virtual training/video games into 

real world performance. 

Local Radiation Planning Job Aid and Support 

to First Responders: NUSTL partnered with the 

National Nuclear Security Administration to author 

a print and online handbook for state and local 

ROSS candidates detailing key guidance and field 

operational job tools, including specific forms to 

assist the ROSS in ensuring radiological protection 

and safety is integrated into the incident command 

system planning process. This project also included 

meeting the technical requirements of moving 

the Turbo Federal Radiological Monitoring and 

Assessment Center (FRMAC) tool into the cloud. 

DHS S&T NUSTL and EPA worked on contamination containment, 

waste staging and municipal equipment studies and 

experiments to mitigate radiation hazards and ensure 

communities have technologies for disaster response. 

State and Local Support to Radiological/Nuclear Emergency Planning and Response Procedures: NUSTL 

worked with LLNL to improve the fidelity of modeling algorithms currently used for prediction of dispersion in 

various environments and developing technical requirements and recommendations for a rapid consequence 

assessment and decision support tool. 
36 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

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LABORATORY OPERATIONS 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 

NUSTL upgraded various aspects of Information Technology (IT) equipment to ensure its collaboration facility 

remains state-of-the-art. Within the Grand Central Conference Room, NUSTL’s largest, a new digital audio/ 

video system was installed to improve the overall sound by reducing the acoustic interferences that existed 

with the analog system. This new system provides higher resolution and can be integrated with future 

technology upgrades. A 65-inch display screen was also installed into the Highline Conference Room, which 

enhances presentation display capabilities. To continue improving technology infrastructure, NUSTL replaced 

network switches, printers and Homeland Security data network equipment to increase connectivity speed, 

maintain government standards and safeguard information. 

PERSONAL PROPERTY AND FLEET MANAGEMENT 

NUSTL continued its efforts in property management and environmental sustainability by donating, selling 

and recycling excess property, valued at more than $20,000. NUSTL continued its efforts of maintaining our 

vehicle fleet, as well as facilitating property related audits and meetings as highlighted below. 

DONATED AND SOLD PROPERTY 

Radiation detectors (7) were transferred to the Office of Naval Research in Washington, D.C. 

Sinclair Technologies 138-225 MHz Antenna was transferred to the Federal Emergency Management 

Agency in Maynard, Maryland. 

Motorola Walkie Talkie Base Station was transferred to DHS Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 

Daytona Beach, Florida. 

Liquid nitrogen dewar was sold to iCream Café in Frisco, Texas. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 37 

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RECYCLED PROPERTY 

770 pounds of excess electronic waste during NUSTL’s Earth Day initiatives. 

A total of 1,000 pounds of metal, electronic waste and paper from NUSTL’s warehouse. 

AUDITS 

NUSTL’s Property Manager conducted and facilitated annual personal property audits of technology 

equipment at the laboratory that resulted in 100 percent compliance in accordance with DHS S&T Asset and 

Logistics Management Branch requirements. 

FLEET MANAGEMENT 

NUSTL replaced its 2009 Dodge Caravan with a 2016 Dodge Caravan to comply with the General Services 

Administration Fleet Management Service Center procedure for leased vehicles. 

SECURITY 

NUSTL Administration Division Director Alfred Crescenzi, who also serves as the laboratory’s security 

manager, presented a proposal to the Facility Security Committee (FSC) for the installation of a security booth 

outside of NUSTL’s loading dock bay doors to house an armed security officer. The FSC members agreed 

to fund the cost of the booth and security guard surveillance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NUSTL 

purchased and installed HID Global’s Personal Identity Verification (PIV)-card readers. A key feature of the 

dual interface readers is to provide a backup when a card’s contactless antenna is not functional. 

QUALITY MANAGEMENT 

NUSTL’s Quality Management System (QMS) was developed to ensure NUSTL’s products and services are of 

the highest quality and are delivered to its customers in a timely manner. The QMS includes laboratory-wide 

policies, standard operating procedures, work instructions and other documentation, which NUSTL developed 

to effectively manage its business processes and to consistently deliver high quality products and services to its 

first responder customers. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

LABORATORY OPERATIONS

38 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

LABORATORY OPERATIONS

The QMS holds all NUSTL personnel responsible and accountable for performing their assigned tasks safely 

and in accordance with documented processes and procedures. Staff members are responsible for continually 

assessing and recommending improvements to work processes, with the goal of achieving a rising standard 

of quality in all programs. In developing a QMS, NUSTL leadership is committed to ensuring adequate 

resources are in place to achieve program goals and performance objectives; establishing and implementing 

management control systems to achieve quality in its products in a planned and systematic manner; 

and instilling the achievement of project goals is only made possible through each employee’s personal 

commitment to quality. 

In FY2016, NUSTL received a near flawless audit score from a QMS pre-audit conducted by Mabbett & 

Associates, Inc., and Loch Harbour Group, Inc. The pre-audit analyzed NUSTL’s QMS against the International 

Standards Organization (ISO) 9001:2015 QMS Standard. NUSTL met 176 out of the 182 total requirements, 

resulting in a conformance score of 96.7 percent. The audit findings also included four non-conformities that 

NUSTL has already begun addressing. The auditors advised NUSTL to move forward and seek formal ISO 

9001:2015 QMS certification. NUSTL has begun this process and is planning to have the certification audit 

conducted in FY2017. 

SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 

NUSTL’s Safety, Health and Environmental Management System (SHEMS) was developed to aid in the 

management of environmental and safety related activities in accordance with federal, state and local 

regulations. Administration Division Director Alfred Crescenzi, who serves as the SHEMS Coordinator, 

developed, implemented and mandated the S&T’s SHEMS at NUSTL. Crescenzi presented outcomes, 

status and progress made by the SHEMS at the annual SHEMS Management Review (SMR). At the 

conclusion of the presentation, the NUSTL director stated that NUSTL’s SHEMS continues to be 

suitable, adequate and effective for its intended purposes. 

In preparation of the annual SHEMS Second-Party Audit, Support Contractor Kris Dooley, Program 

Analyst Theresa Campo-Bradford and Chemist John Kada conducted an internal audit of the SHEMS 

program. The purpose of the audit was to determine the facility’s knowledge and awareness of SHEMS 

and its compliance with applicable federal, state and local Environmental, Safety and Health (ESH) 

laws and regulations; evaluate conformance to applicable internal policies and procedures including 

appropriate DHS directives and assess the design and effectiveness of specific management systems 

that have been created to help NUSTL’s regulatory obligations. The internal audit team concluded 

that there were no instances of non-conformance and identified two opportunities for improvement 

that could enhance the SHEMS program. This included updating agendas and minutes from the Cross 

Functional Team to include action items and to conduct SMRs within three months of the completion of 

the SHEMS Second-Party Audit. 

Following the internal audit, Crescenzi conducted a SHEMS Awareness training session to prepare 

staff members for the SHEMS Second-Party Audit. Crescenzi also held an additional training session 

for Operational Management Program (OMP) leads. OMPs are a management tool used to document 

tasks, responsibilities and operational details implemented to achieve objectives and targets to 

mitigate or remove significant environmental aspects and worker health and safety risks. During the 

training session, Crescenzi reviewed specific responsibilities related to the significant aspects and 

hazards identified in their respective OMPs. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT FY16 ANNUAL REPORT FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 39 

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The annual second-party SHEMS Audit and Radiation Safety Assessment was conducted by Mabbett 

& Associates, Incorporated. During the audit, NUSTL staff members were interviewed for awareness 

and compliance with the SHEMS program, ESH policies and practices, as well as OMP content and 

applicability to NUSTL operations. Additionally, the auditors assessed NUSTL’s Radiation Safety 

program and compliance with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Materials License. 

SAFETY PERFORMANCE METRICS 

No OSHA recordable injuries/illnesses No recordable injuries and illness or environmental 

releases associated with the decontamination and 

decommission of NUSTL’s previously used 5th floor space No lost time injuries 

No hazardous releases to the environment 

NUSTL STAFF MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS SHEMS-RELATED TRAINING ACTIVITIES INCLUDING: 

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, First Aid and Automated External Defibrillator training conducted by the 

American Red Cross 

Medical Counter Measures Point of Dispensing (MCM POD) activation exercise during a planned Anthrax 

MCM POD. The intent of the exercise was to increase the knowledge base, efficiency and effectiveness 

of NUSTL’s MCM POD Team in emergency situations. Additionally, NUSTL hosted the first MCM Working 

Group for the Office of National Laboratories, which included a tabletop Anthrax exercise. 

DHS Mission Sustainability Energy Training at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in 

Golden, Colorado. The DHS-sponsored course taught how to implement energy changes. Discussions 

topics included incorporating sustainability into lease and build agreements, statement of works for 

energy projects, renewable project development and finance, greenhouse gas reduction and reporting 

from fleet vehicles such as hybrids and electric vehicles. All discussions were applicable to meet the 

Executive Order 13693, Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade. 

NUSTL staff from left to right: Abby Hooper, Matt 

Monetti, Steve Vargas, Rochelle Cave, Andy Chen, 

Christian Madera and Orly Amir learn chest 

compressions during the CPR training. 

Training participants for the MCM POD at NUSTL.	 Alfred Crescenzi and DHS colleagues visit a solar 

panel rooftop during the Mission Sustainability 

Energy Training at the NREL. 
40 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESSES 

Each year, the DHS S&T Under Secretary honors individuals and teams from across S&T components whose 

hard work and exemplary accomplishments have personified the very best of the Department. At the 2016 

DHS S&T Under Secretary’s Award Ceremony, Program Manager Ethel Davis received a Program Management 

Award for her outstanding accomplishments and management of the Performance Test and Evaluation 

program at NUSTL. Additionally, Test Manager Matt Monetti and Test Engineer Bhargav Patel received 

Outstanding Collaboration Awards for their respective roles in the DHS S&T Next Generation First Responder 

program and the DHS S&T Employee Council Team. 

NUSTL’s Urban Operational Experimentation team was also presented with a Building Partnerships Award 

for hosting a unique and collaborative experience with new technology for first responders. The NUSTL team 

included Program Analyst Theresa Campo-Bradford, Support Contractor Geoff Buteau, Division Director Alfred 

Crescenzi, Program Manager Ethel Davis, Chemist Karin Decker, Support Contractor Kris Dooley, Purchasing 

Agent Frances Di Pasqua, Physicist Paul Goldhagen, Support Contractor Abby Hooper, Chemist John Kada, 

Physicist Gladys Klemic, Support Contractor Christian Madera, Information Technology Manager Jenny May, 

Test Manager Matt Monetti, Engineer Cecilia Murtagh, Test Engineer Bhargav Patel, Division Director Larry 

Ruth and Support Contractor Steve Vargas. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 41 

From left to right: Ethel Davis, Matt Monetti, Alfred Crescenzi, former DHS S&T Deputy Under Secretary Dr. Robert Griffin, former DHS 

S&T Under Secretary Dr. Reginald Brothers, Steve Vargas, Geoff Buteau and Abby Hooper. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

LABORATORY OPERATIONS

42 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESSES

AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

In Celebration of Women’s History Month, 

the DHS Office of Corporate Communications 

conducted a “We Are STEM” campaign 

with selected women from the Science and 

Technology Directorate that inspire innovation 

through science, technology, engineering and 

math fields. NUSTL Performance Test and 

Evaluation Program Manager Ethel Davis, 

Chemist Karin Decker, Physicist Gladys Klemic 

and Engineer Cecilia Murtagh were recognized 

in the campaign for their years of experience and 

influence in their STEM fields. 

Physical Scientist Sam Lee received a Division 

Goal Buster award from the New York City 

Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) at their 

annual awards ceremony. As the CFC Loaned 

Executive for Division 3, which includes DHS and 

U.S. Department of Defense agencies located 

in New York City, Lee surpassed the fundraising 

goal of $388,150 set by the Local Federal 

Coordinating Committee by raising $453,961. 

Program Analyst Orly Amir was selected for DHS 

S&T’s March Employee Spotlight. The spotlight 

feature detailed her significant role in radiological/ 

nuclear response planning and outlined her 

personal interests. About working at NUSTL, Amir 

stated, “What I like most about working here at NUSTL is that we have all these smart scientists and engineers 

working to provide technical information, guidance and expertise to first responders. These responders are working 

day in and day out to keep our communities safe, healthy and vibrant. If we (as a lab, or as a broader agency) can 

provide them with information and tools that are usable and accessible in planning or that operationally make it 

easier to do their jobs -- that is what keeps me going and where I find value.” 

Support Contractor Christian Madera traveled to 

Ecuador to aid victims in recovery efforts following 

a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that resulted in 

more than 500 casualties and left thousands 

injured. Madera volunteered alongside members 

of the local police in Manta, Ecuador, to help 

disseminate food, mattresses and clothing to 

approximately 400 earthquake survivors. Madera 

also traveled to Guayaquil, Ecuador, where he 

volunteered at that distributed approximately five 

tons of supplies, water, clothing, food and other 

non-perishable items. 

NUSTL’s women of the STEM workforce hold their campaign signs 

with personal quotes to share their experiences within their 

respective fields. Not pictured: Physicist Gladys Klemic. 

Sam Lee holds his 

award for his fundraising 

achievement. 

Orly Amir was selected for S&T’s 

employee spotlight of the month. 

Christian Madera is pictured in the middle of two fellow volunteers 

providing relief to victims in Ecuador. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT FY16 ANNUAL REPORT FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 43 

NUSTL Test Engineer Shmuel Link was detailed to USCG’s test events, while USCG RDC Lieutenant Keely 

Higbie and Lieutenant Joseph DiRenzo supported NUSTL’s project work related to C-UAS 

test and evaluation. 

Physicist Paul Goldhagen and Support Contractor Kris Dooley were honored at DHS S&T’s 

First Plain Language Awards Ceremony. Both were announced as category winners of the 

plain language contest and recognized for developing clearly written products. Dooley 

received an award for writing NUSTL’s Internal Audits Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 

that defines the responsibilities and requirements for planning and conducting internal 

audits, reporting results and maintaining audit records. Goldhagen received an award 

for the Neutron-Detecting Personal Radiation Detectors (PRDs) and Spectroscopic PRDs 

Market Survey Report. 

Physicist Gladys Klemic was elected for a six-year term to the National 

Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP). NCRP’s 

mission supports radiation protection by providing independent 

scientific analysis and recommendations representing the consensus 

of leading scientists. Klemic was elected as a council member based 

on her exemplary contributions and scientific expertise. 

NUSTL and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Research and 

Development Center (RDC) dedicated personnel for short term 

details through the DHS S&T Partnering for Innovation & Operational 

Needs through Embedding for Effective Relationships (PIONEER) 

program. These arrangements enabled NUSTL and the USCG to 

rotate technical expertise across mutual test and evaluation projects to leverage staff and facility resources. 

NUSTL hosted three summer interns sponsored through the 

DHS S&T Office of University Programs for students majoring in 

homeland security related science, technology, engineering and 

math (STEM) disciplines. 

Scott Fishkin was mentored by Program Analyst Orly Amir during his 

project to assess the existing public information from websites and 

publications on protective actions for radiological/nuclear device 

detonations and events at nuclear power plants. 

Regina Zbarskaya was mentored by Program Manager Ethel Davis 

during her PTEN software application project. Zbarskaya successfully 

designed and built a database-driven user application to ensure 

test data integrity, and to streamline testing of electronic dosimeters 

deployed and used by the New York City Fire Department. 

Grant Schumock was jointly mentored by Physicist Gladys Klemic, Health Physicist Carl Schopfer and Test 

Engineer Shmuel Link during his project on optimizing radiation contamination screening at community 

reception centers (CRC). Schumock developed custom data acquisition software for a pedestrian radiation 

portal detector, tested CRC optimization codes to minimize resource allocation and maximize throughput, 

designed hardware for angular positioning and conducted laboratory testing that verified that the experimental 

infrastructure is working to ensure success in completing the project. 

Gladys Klemic was elected as a council 

member to the NCRP, providing independent 

scientific analysis and recommendations 

representing the consensus of leading scientists. 

From left to right: Student mentor Ethel 

Davis, STEM intern Regina Zbarskaya, NUSTL 

Director Adam Hutter, STEM intern Grant 

Schumock, and student mentors Shmuel Link 

and Gladys Klemic. Additional STEM intern 

not pictured include Scott Fishkin. 
Accounting 

Business 

Computer Information Systems 

Economics 

Engineering 

English 

Finance 

Government 

Homeland Security Management 

International Affairs 

Maritime Systems 

Journalism/Public Affairs 

Law 

Mathematics 

Military 

Political Science 

Public Policy 

Science 

Technology Management 

Urban Planning 

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 

NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

LABORATORY OPERATIONS

44 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESSES

STAFF MEMBER FAST FACTS
 

HIGHEST LEVEL OF ACADEMIC DEGREE ACHIEVED
 

Total Degrees of 

Higher Education 

Military 

PhDs 

JD 

Masters 

Bachelors 

0 5 10 15 20 25 

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUNDS
 

30 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT FY16 ANNUAL REPORT FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 45 

 ’

Geochemistry 

1 

SCIENCE FOCUS AREAS ENGINEERING FOCUS AREAS
 

Environmental 

Health Science 

3 

Chemistry 

2 

Marine 

Environmental 

1 

Meteorology 

1 

Animal 

Science 

1 

Biochemistry 

1 

Physics 

2 

NUSTL staff members are photographed with the NYPD s tour 

guide at the main entrance of the training academy. 

Chemical 

2 

Electrical 

4

Computer 

1 

Mechanical 

3 

NUSTL visited the New York City Police Department (NYPD) 

Training Academy for a tour of their new, 730,000-squarefoot state-of-the-art training facility located in College 

Point, New York. Staff members observed various training 

exercises throughout the tour and gained a greater 

understanding and appreciation for NYPD’s training 

programs, and the tools and resources that foster their 

mission. The tour reinforced the dedication of the NYPD 

workforce, which serves as an inspiration to NUSTL’s 

mission and support of the men and women who put their 

lives on the line to keep our community safe. 
46 NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 

LOOK AHEAD 

Looking ahead, NUSTL expects FY2017 to be another successful and impactful year as requests for NUSTL’s 

testing and evaluation expertise, services and products continue to increase. DHS components, S&T 

offices and the national first responder community have a high demand for NUSTL’s honest and objective 

assessments of emerging and commercially available technologies that can help guide their investment and 

acquisition decisions. 

Test events already planned for FY2017 include NUSTL’s second annual Urban Operational Experimentation, 

the S&T 2017 Technical Assessment for Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems Technologies in Cities, the 

Electronic Jamming Exercise Demonstration at Idaho National Laboratory and the Next Generation First 

Responder Apex program’s Spiral 2 demonstration event. 

In addition to these and other test events, NUSTL’s RNRR R&D Team will continue their work on existing and 

new projects to support state and local responders prepare for radiological and nuclear emergencies. They will 

also finalize and publish the RDD Detonation Response Planning Guidance. 
NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY: FY16 ANNUAL REPORT 47 

NUSTL staff members wear blue for National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. 


To learn more about NUSTL, visit: https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/national-urban-security-technology-laboratory, 

or contact us at NUSTL@hq.dhs.gov.