SOO - C - Riot Protection Helmet - 06022021.pdf

Riot Protection Helmet

June 2021 Science and Technology Directorate Department of Homeland Security

DISTRIBUTION NOTICE: Further dissemination only as directed by DHS Office of Policy DESTRUCTION NOTICE: Destroy by any method that will prevent disclosure of contents or reconstruction of the document.

1.0 Problem Statement

Law enforcement officers and first responders require a helmet that provides protection against concussive and ballistic threats, which are both important for responding to incidents of civil unrest.

First responders need a multi-purpose and customizable helmet that is comfortable, lightweight, and able to be worn for long periods of time during civil unrest and riot situations.

2.0 Purpose and Scope

Currently, the helmets worn by law enforcement officers and first responders during riot situations lack protection against both concussive and some level of ballistic threats. Both of these are important for keeping first responders safe during riots, as evidenced by the evolving threats responders across the country faced during the civil unrest that occurred throughout 2020. The solution will provide law enforcement officers and first responders with a multi-purpose and customizable helmet that is lightweight, comfortable, and able to be worn for long periods of time during civil unrest or riot situations. The solution must meet all applicable standards for riot protection helmets, including the PSDB Protective Headwear Standard for UK Police (2004) pending those being developed by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). This solution will mitigate the risks associated with responding to potentially violent situations, to include working in the vicinity of crowds armed with projectiles, lasers, makeshift weapons, and, potentially firearms.

3.0 Background Environment

Currently, law enforcement officers and first responders must possess multiple helmets to meet different needs: one for riot protection and one for ballistic protection. This is costly, since it requires the procurement of two helmets. It is also a logistical burden, as it presents twice the amount of headgear to transport, store, clean, and maintain.

The onset of violent situations is unpredictable and the threats facing first responders can evolve quickly. Personnel responding to civil unrest or riots don’t have the time or flexibility to replace the helmet they’re wearing with another that provides additional protection or addresses a different type of threat. First responders should not have to choose between protecting themselves from concussive threats (like projectiles) or having some level of ballistic head protection in the event the situation escalates and firearms are used.

Because law enforecement officers and first responders are likely to wear their helmets for extended periods of time – upwards of ten to fourteen hours – during civil unrest or a riot situation, the comfort of the helmet is an important attribute. Officers require a helmet that is lightweight, comfortable, and fits securely. Additionally, first responders have expressed concern about the aesthetic of helmets (and other protective gear) having the potential to look overly militaristic.

However, any changes to the aesthetic of the helmet must not take away from it’s protective capability.

3.1 Mission Scenarios

Law enforcement officers and first responders wear protective helmets when performing various duties, to include situations involving active shooter response, tactical entry, crisis negotiation, motor patrol, or when responding to civil unrest and riots. As seen across the nation throughout the Spring and Summer of 2020, some peaceful protests quickly escalated and erupted into violence.

Nationwide, first responders and law enforcement officers on foot, bicycle, and motorcycle had to confront rioters armed with wide-ranging projectiles, makeshift weapons, and even firearms.

Discussing a series of protests that occurred in Washington, DC over a few days in June, Attorney General Barr indicated that over 100 officers had been injured, with more than twenty being hospitalized for concussions or serious head injuries.i Similar injuries to law enforcement officers and first responders occurred nationwide as a result of the civil unrest. An appropriate multi-functional helmet will enable first responders to better perform their required missions, without having to choose between different types of protective headgear, providing the best safety and functionality.

3.2 Current Technology Shortfalls and Threats

The current shortfalls with regard first responder helmets is that they are designed for a single purpose, which is either for riot protection or for protecting against ballistic threats. As such, current helmets lack protection against both concussive threats caused by projectiles (e.g., bricks) and ballistic threats. First responders lack a multi-purpose helmet that provides some level of ballistic protection in addition to concussive protection, while also being lightweight and comfortable.

4.0 Potential Solution Attributes

The potential solution would be a helmet that is multi-purpose, scalable, and customizable and will address the needs of first responders dealing with civil unrest or riot situations. Additional information about potential solution attributes are described in more detail below.

4.1 Concept of Operations (ConOps)

The solution that first responders seek is a multi-purpose helmet that offers both concussive and some level of ballistic protection. The helmet must be scalable and customizable to address varying needs and budgets of first responders. The helmet must be user-friendly and must be comfortable to wear for ten to fourteen hours at a time.

4.2 Additional Capabilities

Successful development of this requirement for an improved riot protection helmet will enhance first responder safety by providing the necessary concussive protection as well as helping to prevent head injuries.

5.0 Solution Capabilities and Requirements

The following sections detail the must-have requirements ascertained by the FRRG members, as well as a list of desireable characteristics or capabilities for riot protection helmets.

5.1 Must Have Requirements

First and foremost, the solution must meet all applicable standards for both concussive and ballistic helmets, which include current UK Standards such as: Home Office HOSDB Blunt Trauma

Protector Standard for UK Police (2007); PSDB Protective Headwear Standard for UK Police (2004); and HOSDB Flame Retardant Overalls Standard for UK Police (2008).

The must-have requirements for a riot protection helmet include:

• Provides concussive protection against hand thrown projectiles, including: bricks, rocks, bats, bottles, and construction materials

• Offers some level of ballistic protection

• Is able to be customized; for example, could include a picatinny mount where items such as cameras, lights, or a fire retardant shield could be added

• Is lightweight so it will not be fatiguing to wear

• Does not impact the responder’s ability to walk

• Is adjustable and the method for adjusting for fit is user-friendly

• Provides ear protection, either as part of the helmet or something that can be added

• Integrates communications capabilities

• Includes a face shield that is detachable, scratch resistant, and easy to replace without replacing the whole helmet

• Protects from lasers and/or has laser deflection capability, especially for the more aggressive types of lasers (e.g., blue and green)

• Has a chin strap that doesn’t impact performance, is easily adjustable, and can be easily snapped off or removed as required

• Has a chin strap extension that can be used to adjust the helmet when wearing a gas mask to enable a secure fit

• Is low profile and has an option to not appear overly militaristic, while maintaining full protective capabilities (e.g, resembles a search and rescue helmet rathering than looking militaristic)

• Works in all environments first responders operate in, including heat, humidity, fog, rain, snow, cold or freezing temperatures

• The junction at the top of the helmet and face shield must be sealed to prevent liquid from dripping down;

• The face shield shall not interfere with the operation of a gas mask or similar respiratory protection;

5.2 Desirable Capabilities or Characteristics

In addition to the must have requirement reported in subsection 5.1, the FRRG identified other desireable capabilities or characteristics for a first responder riot protection helmet. Several of items included on the list were identified as potential customization options and are identified as such.

The desireable capabilities or characteristics that were identified include:

• Provides a range of ballistic resistance and protection from firearms that have been seen during recent civil unrest, including handguns, rifles, AKs, 10-4s, and P85

• Integrates communications in the ear cuff, using Bluetooth or a hard-wire jack

• Includes a face shield that reflects glare or headlights for nighttime use

• Includes a face shield that is compatible to wear with glasses or sunglasses

• Provides an aesthetic that resembles more of a “sport-style” look

• Comes in a color(s) that appears less threatening

When discussing scalable or customizable options for the helmet, the FRRG identified the following:

• Mounting system that can be used for a camera or a light

• Face shield that has automatic tinting for sun glare

• Drop down fabric or hoods that can be rolled down as needed to cover the neck and provide fire retardance (e.g., like wildlife helmets)

• Optional face cage or hybrid option with shield at the top and a cage at the bottom that would ensure the responder is still able to see in the event paint is thrown at his/her shield

• Optional SMART capabilities, such as:

Biometric capabilities Built in GPS locator to alert location of the first responder Talk-around capability that allows first responders to talk to other officers nearby without a radio

6.0 System Support

6.1 Contractual Requirements

6.1.1 Period and Place of Performance

The length of time of the contract shall be between 12-18 months and shall not exceed the latter. All developmental activities will be performed at the contractor-designated site(s). DHS may require the contractor to perform critical design reviews and/or product presentations at DHS-specified locations.

6.1.2 System Affordability

First responders’ budgets are limited and should be taken into consideration when developing and determining a price per unit cost model. As such, the ability to customize the helmet is important and can not only address different first responder needs, but also different budgets. Therefore, the solution must be scalable, and provide add-ons and features that are optional so that the helmets can remain affordable.

6.1.3 Regulatory/Legal Requirements

Pending the development and adoption of NIJ Standards, the riot protection helmet must meet all applicable UK Standards: Home Office HOSDB Blunt Trauma Protector Standard for UK Police (2007); PSDB Protective Headwear Standard for UK Police (2004); HOSDB Flame Retardant Overalls Standard for UK Police (2008).

6.1.4 Contract Deliverables

The project performer will be required to provide several prototypes by the end of the period of performance for post-contract testing and evaluation. The number of prototypes will vary, depending on the cost and complexity, however the FRRG expects the need for two to five.

6.2 Solution Support

6.2.1 Support Concept

6.2.2 Training

Training information as required shall be provided on any specialized equipment, and shall include how to properly store, clean, deploy, and maintain the basic ensemble/unit. Any specialty requirements of personnel conducting maintenance, storage, extraction, or delivery will be identified including certification requirements. Training material shall be available initially in hard-copy, and subsequently in soft-copy format.

6.2.3 Other Considerations

Human Interface Requirements: The target user is law enforcement, but solutions may also be applicable to EMS. The solution should be able to integrate with other equipment/PPE currently used by these emergency responders. It should also be able to operate in all types of environments and in temperature extremes.

Logistics and Readiness: The solution developed under this award is envisioned as an enhanced version of already available technology. It is envisioned that the solution will be portable and integrated as to increase responder efficiency which ultimately saves more lives.

6.2.4 Storage and Maintenance

The contractor shall identify all necessary storage and maintenance requirements for the proposed solution including: the required maintenance schedule, identification of the specific components of the ensemble that requires the maintenance, the type of maintenance required, and whether the maintenance can be performed in the field by operational personnel or if it will be required to be returned to the manufacturer for the required maintenance.

Physical solutions including PPE, shall include all special laundering/cleaning instructions, including recommendations for frequency of laundering, should also be provided if required.

Laundering recommendations should be viable and cost effective for First Responders and First Responder agencies and should ideally be able to be performed “in house.”

i Washington Post “Barr defends aggressive response to protests, while acknowledging ‘long-standing’ black concerns about police” (4 June 2020) https://washingtonpost.com/national-security/william-barr-george-floyd-dc-protests/2020/06/04/c4454d04-a694-11ea-b73-04905b1af82b_story.html https://washingtonpost.com/national-security/william-barr-george-floyd-dc-protests/2020/06/04/c4454d04-a694-11ea-b73-04905b1af82b_story.html https://washingtonpost.com/national-security/william-barr-george-floyd-dc-protests/2020/06/04/c4454d04-a694-11ea-b73-04905b1af82b_story.html