Through the engagement of and partnership with first responders and the emergency preparedness and response community, the First Responders Group (FRG) pursues a better understanding of the response community's needs and requirements, provides technical assistance, and develops innovations to the most pressing challenges faced during day-to-day and large-scale emergencies. These efforts are occurring at every stage of technology and solution development, and are involving first responders at the local, state, tribal and federal levels.

Recent First Responder News and Announcements

Responder News: Rural Volunteer Fire Departments Face Specific Challenges December 16, 2016 - When S&T asked rural volunteer firefighters back in September to tell us what challenges they face, dozens of them responded passionately. Here is a summary of what they told us and our beginning efforts to answer the issues they raised.

 News Release: DHS S&T calls for anti-jamming technology submissions December 20, 2016 - DHS S&T today released a RFI for participation in the 2017 First Responder Electronic Jamming Exercise at Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, Idaho, July 17-22, 2017.The deadline for submitting applications is January 20, 2017.

For a complete listing of First Responder news articles visit our S&T Responder News page.

Our Mission

In close partnership with first responders at all levels, FRG identifies, validates, and facilitates the fulfillment of needs through the use of existing and emerging technologies, knowledge products, and standards. Prioritized areas of FRG focus and initiatives include:

• Making first responders safer
• Helping first responders share data and critical information
• Helping first responders communicate through interoperability
• Engaging, communicating and partnering with first responders

First Responder Publications

• Download the First Responders Group (FRG) Fact Sheet
• Read First Responders Publications and First Responder Fact Sheets.
• Read the latest edition of The Siren, FRG's bi-monthly newsletter.
• Browse the FRG 2016 Year-in-Review Responder Technologies Photo Gallery.

First Responder Communities of Practice (FRCoP)

First Responder Communities of Practice is a professional networking, collaboration and communication platform created by the Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate to support improved collaboration and information sharing amongst the nation's First Responders and other Federal, State, Tribal, Territorial, and local governments and private sector stakeholders supporting homeland security efforts. This vetted community of members focuses on emergency preparedness, response, recovery and other homeland security issues.

With a FRCoP account, you can:

• Collaborate on wikis, blogs and discussion boards
• Find, share and store documents and best practices
• Create and search profiles
• Connect, chat, and email with other professionals

To request an account, complete the online form on communities.firstresponder.gov

Connect with First Responders!

Stay informed on what FRG is doing in the community by following us on social media.

Twitter Facebook YouTube Send us an email at first.responder@hq.dhs.gov.