The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate has established a program, TechSolutions, to support the first responder community by accelerating delivery of emerging technologies. TechSolutions is designed to collect technological requirements and provide solutions for first responders.

"No one understands the needs of first responders better than first responders," said Jay M. Cohen, under secretary for S&T. "Every day, hundreds of law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel and bomb-squad members think, 'there's a better way to do this,' and we want to hear from them."

S&T's commitment to spiral development and rapid prototyping ensures funding for selected proposals within 45 days, and a solution demonstrated within 12 months of funding. Costs of the solutions should be commensurate with the proposal, but less than $1 million per project. Solutions also should deliver up to 100% of identified requirements, and first responders will partner with the department from start to finish.

First responders are encouraged to submit ideas that would aid the first responder community by increasing efficiency and on-the-job safety at www.dhs.gov/techsolutions.