SOO D - OTT Signs of Life - 06172020.pdf

Portable/Integrated Solution to Identify Signs of Life Statement of Objectives

17 June 2020

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.

Table of Contents

1.0 Problem Statement

2.0 Purpose and Scope

3.0 Background Environment

3.1 Mission Scenarios

3.2 Current Technology Shortfalls and Threats

4.0 Potential Solution Attributes

4.1 Concept of Operations (ConOps)

4.2 Additional Capabilities

5.0 Solution Capabilities and Requirements

5.1 Must Have Requirements (Key Performance Parameters, KPP’s)

5.2 Desirable Capabilities or Characteristics

6.0 System Support

6.1 Contractual Requirements

6.1.1 Period and Place of Performance

6.1.2 System Affordability

6.1.3 Regulatory/Legal Requirements

6.1.4 Contract Deliverables

6.2 Solution Support

6.2.1 Support Concept

6.2.2 Training

6.2.3 Other Considerations

6.2.4 Storage and Maintenance

1.0 Problem Statement

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Project Responder 5 (PR5) study recognizes “the ability to identify the location of injured, trapped and deceased casualties on the incident scene” as a capability need in the Casualty Management domain.1,2 During the 2019 First Responder Resource Group (FRRG) Meeting, participants discussed the challenges they face when trying to identify signs of life as a means to identify casualties on scene. Signs of life may include breathing, blood pressure, body heat, pulse, movement, and speech. Responders and search and rescue personnel actively try to identify these signs as indications that there are living persons on the incident scene that require aid or rescue. However, responders are often faced with challenging situations that make this difficult.

For instance, living casualties may be buried under a pile of rubble following a natural disaster that presents access and observation challenges. The need to identify signs of life is not restricted to large-scale or catastrophic incidents, however. Other situations may include (but are not limited to): active shooter incidents, hostage situations, barricaded suspects, and searches for missing or endangered persons. Volume may also present a challenge. For instance, in a mass casualty incident, it may be much more difficult to determine living versus deceased casualties to prioritize rescue. A solution that provides the ability to detect signs of life, and that can be used by multiple disciplines, would expedite search, rescue, and removal of casualties from the incident scene, and therefore improve survivability.

To address this need, the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) developed FINDER (Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response). FINDER is a technology that has the ability to remotely detect heartbeats and breathing of casualties trapped in wreckage through low-power microwave radar technology.3 Participants in the FRRG meeting cited this technology as one of the primary solutions for this capability need (further described in section 3.0). Responders discussed that although the FINDER technology is very useful, it has shortfalls that inhibit its use in daily operations. The primary shortfall is its size; in its current form, FINDER is the size of a small suitcase, weighing just under 20 pounds.4 This can significantly slow down response time as responders have to carry and move the device. (see section 3.0 for additional information regarding FINDER shortfalls and other current technologies). Participants discussed the need for portability and the integration of capabilities that would improve responder efficiency, and in turn, casualty

1 Project Responder is a series of studies funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). The purpose of Project Responder is to identify, validate, and prioritize capability needs for emergency response to critical incidents, including complex, multi-jurisdictional, large-scale, high-risk, high-probability or high-consequence incidents, or incidents that have important social or economic impacts. Project Responder 5 is the current and fifth iteration in this series and is referenced in this document to help support and validate the capability needs identified by emergency responders at the 2019 FRRG Meeting.

2 Project Responder 5: Final Report, p.81, https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Project-Responder-5- Report_170814-508.pdf 3 “FINDER: Detecting Heartbeats in Rubble and Rescuing Victims from Disasters,” DHS S&T, viewed 13 May 2019, https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/R-Tech_Finding-Individuals-Disaster-Emergency-Response- FINDER_160531-r1-508_0.pdf 4 “Hunting for heartbeats: NASA technology rescues 4 quake survivors in Nepal,” LA Times, viewed 13 June 2019, https://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-nasa-nepal-earthquake-rescue-20150508-story.html https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Project-Responder-5-Report_170814-508.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Project-Responder-5-Report_170814-508.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/R-Tech_Finding-Individuals-Disaster-Emergency-Response-FINDER_160531-r1-508_0.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/R-Tech_Finding-Individuals-Disaster-Emergency-Response-FINDER_160531-r1-508_0.pdf https://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-nasa-nepal-earthquake-rescue-20150508-story.html survivability. The solution may be entirely new or may be an integration of the FINDER technology into existing emergency responder tools, such as a thermal imaging camera (TIC).

2.0 Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this statement of objectives document is to identify potential solutions that are able to more quickly identify signs of life during emergency response operations. During rescue missions, improvements in this capability will increase survival rates for trapped persons and improve responder safety. When used during law enforcement missions, the ability to quickly identify the location of barricaded or concealed individuals will allow for a more safe and efficient resolution to the incident. Finding casualties trapped under rubble from a structural collapse, or detecting signs of life in a burning building, for instance, are often very difficult tasks. This can be due to multiple factors such as loud noises, hazardous conditions, weather effects, persons that are evading detection, and unconscious or unresponsive individuals that cannot call out for help. Technology solutions that can detect signs of life through alternative and remote methods, such as FINDER, can improve the safety and efficiency of response efforts.

Specifically, the new solution should be portable, ideally integrated with other PPE, tools, or equipment (e.g., a TIC). For instance, integration of the ability to detect signs of life with thermal imaging capability would allow responders to assess multiple variables as part of their search.

Because responders already carry a significant number of tools, integration of new capability into existing equipment is preferred. Further, the solution should be able to operate in all types of environments and be functional in extreme temperatures.

A new portable and integrated solution may have many positive implications for the emergency responder community and the general public. Primarily, an improved solution will likely expedite search and rescue or apprehension activities, which can significantly increase survivability. During response to natural disasters and/or man-made catastrophes, for instance, time is critical and quickly detecting living casualties greatly impacts chances of rescue and survival. It may also positively impact rescue tactics and strategies such as prioritization of response locations based on signs of life and temperature. This too increases the efficiency of emergency responders. Being able to detect signs of life remotely may also have a positive impact on emergency responder safety. Other applications where this solution may be beneficial include container searches and corrections.

3.0 Background Environment

Large-scale incidents, such as a natural disaster (e.g., earthquake, tornado, mass flooding, hurricane), can directly impact a large population, causing significant injury and death. These incidents may either be confined to a small or large area and it is often difficult for emergency responders to identify where casualties are located on the incident scene. Further, it may be challenging for them to rescue casualties in remote areas. For instance, during the 2014 landslide outside of Oso, Washington, residents were trapped under tens of feet of mud and debris. Responders and volunteers used shovels and their hands to dig where they suspected casualties might be located or where search dogs alerted.

Incorrectly estimating where casualties might be located can waste critical minutes that could be used to save lives. Further, there is no way of knowing how to prioritize response efforts using these types of methods. Problems locating casualties are also heightened when other factors like flood waters or high-velocity winds move people and remains a long distance away from their original location.

Law enforcement personnel also struggle with identifying the location of both suspects and potential victims. Law enforcement tactical teams spend a significant amount of time before making entry into a building trying to determine if anyone is inside, where they are located, and if they are still alive.

The ability to tell where people are in a structure prior to making an entry, especially if dynamic (i.e., explosive) tactics are used, would significantly improve the safety of responders and those inside.

Further, advancements in this capability would support search and apprehension activities. If suspects flee from a scene on foot, it can be time-consuming and dangerous to conduct a thorough search for these individuals. In July of 2019, a Birmingham, Alabama law enforcement officer was shot multiple times while searching a neighborhood for a robbery suspect. A hand-held device that allows for the identification of signs of life would improve the safety and efficiency of these operations.

Presently, emergency responders utilize several methods to remotely identify the existence and location of individuals. FINDER, mentioned above, complements current Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) casualty detection tools such as canines, listening devices, and video cameras and is one of the primary methods currently used to address this capability need.5 Other methods to identify the potential location of victims include global positioning system (GPS) signals and cellular pings from phones, sensors, manual grid sweeps, tactical mirrors, and camera systems (e.g., TIC, pole, fiber optic, pinhole, multi-spectral). Sensors used to detect living casualties include heat-sensing forward-looking infrared (FLIR), ground-penetrating radar (GPR), carbon dioxide detectors, and acoustic equipment.

Cameras and sensors may be mounted on manned aircraft, boats, vehicles, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned ground systems (UGV), and other types of robots. Side-scan sonar is used to detect the presence of remains in water while GPR can detect remains underground.6

3.1 Mission Scenarios

Emergency responders of all disciplines (i.e., law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services (EMS)) respond to a variety of incidents that require locating persons that are unable or unwilling to present themselves. Incidents or situations that may require the identification and location of living persons include, but may not be limited to:

• Trapped victims (e.g., fire, hazardous materials, avalanche, mine, wells);

• Tactical operations (e.g., hostages, perpetrators, serving warrants);

• Human trafficking situations;

• Active shooter incidents/school evacuations;

• Building or infrastructure collapse incidents;

• Man overboard/submerged vehicles;

• Corrections (e.g., headcount, incident);

• Field searches (e.g., escape, apprehension, endangered, health and welfare);

• Large-scale vehicle pile-ups;

• Subway/rail incidents; and

5 “FINDER: Detecting Heartbeats in Rubble and Rescuing Victims from Disasters,” DHS S&T, viewed 13 May 2019, https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/R-Tech_Finding-Individuals-Disaster-Emergency-Response- FINDER_160531-r1-508_0.pdf 6 Project Responder 4: 2014 National Technology Plan for Emergency Response to Catastrophic Incidents, p.112, https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Project%20Responder%204_1.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/R-Tech_Finding-Individuals-Disaster-Emergency-Response-FINDER_160531-r1-508_0.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/R-Tech_Finding-Individuals-Disaster-Emergency-Response-FINDER_160531-r1-508_0.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Project%20Responder%204_1.pdf

• Post-blast incidents (e.g., terrorism, industrial).

Any new solution should be able to support a wide range of missions (as described above). Solutions should focus on the identification of 1) victims that are in distress, lost, sick or injured, either in a remote or difficult to access area, (e.g., mountains, desert, forest, sea), and/or buried underneath rubble and debris; and 2) persons that are evading detection. Potential solutions may have applications for all emergency response disciplines.

Adverse factors that inhibit the detection of life signs include rubble and debris, flood waters, smoke, wind, loud noises, hazardous conditions, and weather effects, among others. In addition to these factors that make response more challenging, emergency responders are often required to put themselves in danger in order to identify and/or rescue casualties. Emergency responders may enter collapsed buildings, confront threatening individuals, extinguish fires, and address other hazards such as part of casualty or suspect identification and location. A solution that remotely detects signs of life will have a positive impact on responder safety.

3.2 Current Technology Shortfalls and Threats

Emergency responders at the 2019 FRRG Meeting explained that there is a lack of technology and equipment in this area and that existing technology is not designed for the wide range of scenarios listed above. FINDER, for instance is specifically designed for the aftermaths of large events that result in collapsed buildings and other occupied infrastructures. However, responders have expressed the need for a more portable version this type of technology in a variety of other application areas, such as hostage situations and for missions specific to law enforcement or fire, for example.

Meeting participants agreed that FINDER is very useful due to its ability to detect heartbeats and breathing through rubble and building debris. In addition, it is able to distinguish between human, animal, and mechanical movement as well as multiple casualties. However, FINDER is approximately the size of a small suitcase and it requires set up and tear down which takes time and effort before moving to the next location to conduct another search.7 This hinders response time and efficiency. Further, the device currently does not have the ability to be integrated with other tools. A portable, hand-held solution that can detect signs of life could have applications for many other types of operations.

There are potential barriers to adoption of this technology for other incidents. There is public scrutiny for technologies that allow law enforcement or government personnel to observe the activities of citizens within their homes or when they have an expectation of privacy. There are different levels of public approval when technology is used for rescue operations than when used for other incident response because of the perceived potential for abuse. In addition, the use of technology that can remotely provide indication or position or activities can be constrained by statutes or regulations. For some applications, a warrant may be necessary to use this technology. The Fourth Amendment bans “unreasonable searches and seizures” and includes a Warrant Clause that states a set of basic

7 “FINDER: Detecting Heartbeats in Rubble and Rescuing Victims from Disasters,” DHS S&T, viewed 13 May 2019, https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/R-Tech_Finding-Individuals-Disaster-Emergency-Response- FINDER_160531-r1-508_0.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/R-Tech_Finding-Individuals-Disaster-Emergency-Response-FINDER_160531-r1-508_0.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/R-Tech_Finding-Individuals-Disaster-Emergency-Response-FINDER_160531-r1-508_0.pdf requirements for search warrants.8 Although an exigency clause may be available, the need to procure a warrant may slow down response time.

4.0 Potential Solution Attributes

A potential solution for this capability gap should function in daily operations and in adverse operating environments. It should be a portable, hand-held device or integrated with other tools, equipment, or PPE. Responders specifically suggested integration with a TIC as it has related applications. Potential solutions would also operate in all types of response environments (e.g., smoky, windy, noisy, hazardous) and temperature extremes. Specifically, the solution should be able to operate in hazardous environments, at standard fire ground temperatures, and at 100 percent humidity.

4.1 Concept of Operations (ConOps)

The device should be activated by request and be push-button enabled. It should be able to be used on a day-to-day basis to augment the ability to locate persons who are trapped, in distress, hiding (e.g., children), avoiding detection or lost and should work as close to real-time as possible. There should be multiple versions for various types of users (i.e., law enforcement, fire, EMS). A version designed for fire service missions, for example, might be integrated into a heads-up display (HUD), facepiece, or TIC and should have a mode switch that responders can use to toggle between device functions (e.g., TIC versus search and rescue). A version designed for law enforcement should be handheld or possibly able to be mounted on the firearm picatinny rail. The solution should also be able to be mounted on a small UAS.

If integrated with another piece of equipment, there should be combined and separate modes. There are some instances in which responders may not need to or want to use the technologies at the same time, therefore there should be one mode for the other sensor (e.g. TIC), one mode for the signs of life detection, and one mode for both combined (i.e., mode switch). This way, responders can use one device but also switch modes depending on the mission.

4.2 Additional Capabilities

Future iterations of this technology might integrate with augmented reality (AR) capabilities such as contextual mapping and AR glasses. For instance, it could be integrated with digital design sets and blueprints (e.g., building schematics, terrain). In addition, integration with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities may be beneficial. FRRG participants specifically mentioned the ability to correlate sign of life detection with time and temperature factors to prioritize rescue. There may also be a potential application with integration in smart buildings and homes using automated alerts and information.

8 “The Heritage Guide to the Constitution,” Heritage Foundation, viewed 14 June 2019, https://www.heritage.org/constitution/#!/amendments/4/essays/145/warrant-clause https://www.heritage.org/constitution/#!/amendments/4/essays/145/warrant-clause

5.0 Solution Capabilities and Requirements

5.1 Must Have Requirements (Key Performance Parameters, KPP’s) The proposed solution must:

• Penetrate all standard construction materials that are commercially available (e.g., electro-galvanized (EG) steel, concrete, cinderblock, wood);

• Penetrate water, grain, metal (e.g., Conex metals, shipping containers, rebar), soil, glass, plexiglass, ceramic, metal, soil, rocks, vegetation;

• Be powered using a rechargeable power supply;

• Have an operational endurance of at least one hour;

• Operate via a push-button that will work with a fire-gloved hand and ambidextrously;

• Maintain a service life of not less than five years or 50,000 cycles;

• Operate intuitively for the end user with minimal training required;

• Initialize instantly for quick response time;

• Be upgradeable; and

• Include multiple iterations for end users with evolving duties, responsibilities, and missions.

5.2 Desirable Capabilities or Characteristics

The proposed solution should:

• Connect wirelessly;

• Provide a mode switch as necessary (e.g., one mode for the TIC, one mode for the sign of life detection, and one mode for both combined);

• Be intrinsically safe and adheres to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and

International Society of Automation (ISA) standard: ANSI/ISA 12.12.01 Class 1, Division 2;

• Prevent radio frequency (RF) interference;

• Record all outputs;

• Integrate with other data sources;

• Transmit data to other devices;

• Encrypt transmitted data;

• Be pocket or cell-phone sized including the screen with a 3:4 ratio;

• Be integrated with TIC, Airpacs, and/or rails;

• Comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards: (e.g., NFPA 1801, 1981, 1982);

• Have a non-proprietary power supply;

• Include an adapter to power the system with commercially available batteries;

• Triangulate for greater accuracy; and

• Be geographic information system (GIS) enabled.

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.

6.1.3 Regulatory/Legal Requirements

The solution must meet the requirements laid out in:

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Society of Automation (ISA) standard: ANSI/ISA 12.12.01 Class 1, Division 2

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards: (e.g., NFPA 1801, 1981, 1982)

6.1.4 Contract Deliverables

It is expected that this project would be divided into three phases, with different deliverables required in each phase as described below. Each phase would be six months in length, resulting in a project lasting 18 months from kickoff to completion of prototypes.

DHS is committed to ensuring the success of their technology by requiring the project performer to provide DHS multiple prototype deliverables which will be used for post-contract testing and evaluation. A minimum of 50 prototype devices for evaluation by first responders shall be provided as a final project deliverable.

6.2 Solution Support

6.2.1 Support Concept

The technologies required to support this solution may include low-power microwave radar signals, sensors, mode/toggle switch, cameras, potentially laptop computer and software. Water resistant and other types of technology that ruggedize a device will be needed.

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 includes emergency responders of all disciplines (i.e., law enforcement, fire, EMS) that will respond to incidents in which casualties need to be identified (e.g., natural disasters, fires). The solution should be able to integrate with other tools/equipment/PPE currently used by emergency responders. It should also be able to operate in all types of environments and in temperature extremes. The solution should be push button operated and the button should be able to operate with fire gloved hands and ambidextrously. The solution should also have an instant initialization for immediate deployment.

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 instructions, including recommendations for frequency of laundering, should also be provided if required. Laundering recommendations should be viable and cost effective for rirst responders and responder agencies and should ideally be able to be performed “in house”.

If the proposed solution is virtual, describe any storage or maintenance requirements, including archival activities, and the personnel performance needs associated with the solution.