The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has issued a new report titled “Guidance for Using Standards When Selecting and Purchasing Responder Equipment.”
This document is designed to assist emergency response agencies in making informed decisions when selecting and purchasing protective and operational equipment.
As reported by the DHS, the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) in New York City manages the System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) program, which plays a crucial role in providing information about commercially available equipment to response organizations.
The SAVER program addresses key questions for responders, such as the availability and performance of equipment.
The new guidance emphasizes the importance of standards in the selection process for responder equipment.
The report explains what standards are, their significance, and how to verify that equipment meets these standards.
It aims to help end users, procurement officials, and agency leadership understand the role of standards in procurement efforts.
The DHS report highlights: “Standards are relevant when purchasing protective or operational equipment that a responder will use in the field.”
It notes that not all products on the market meet recommended standards, making it essential for decision-makers to know how to leverage applicable standards to select appropriate equipment.
The guidance is intended for a broad audience, including federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial purchasers.
It is particularly relevant for law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and emergency medical service (EMS) agencies.
The report is not intended to teach the procurement process but to inform readers about the importance of using standards in procurement.
The report stresses: “It is important to understand when and how to use standards.”
This is crucial for responders who must identify key capabilities and technical specifications for equipment and for purchasers responsible for carrying out the procurement process.
The report includes practical advice on using standards in procurement efforts.
It provides information on the types of emergency response equipment for which standards are recommended and explains that standards help ensure the safety and effectiveness of the equipment used by responders.
The SAVER program, managed by NUSTL, conducts objective, practitioner-relevant assessments and validations of commercially available emergency response equipment.
This helps create a safer work environment for responders and the communities they serve.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate has released a report to assist emergency response agencies in using standards when selecting and purchasing responder equipment.
Managed by the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL), the report emphasizes the importance of standards in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of equipment used by responders.
The guidance is relevant for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial purchasers, including law enforcement, fire departments, and EMS agencies.
The SAVER program provides assessments of commercially available equipment to help responders make informed procurement decisions.
