The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate’s explosives division has funded an Oak Ridge National Laboratory research project to develop a geospatial tool for communication, collaboration and situational awareness uses in security events.
DHS said Friday the Incident Management Preparedness and Coordination Toolkit aids bomb squads on the assessment of impacts from improvised explosive devices and assists users on active shooter planning, casualty simulations and large stadium evacuation.
“IMPACT is a free, all-hazards planning tool for first responders, emergency managers, and other security professionals,” said Elizabeth Obregon, DHS S&T program manager.
“It combines simulation, visualization, and mapping into an integrated user interface similar to a smartphone or tablet… First responders can use it for planning, situation awareness, and response to natural and man-made disasters.”
DHS noted more than 400 federal, local and state agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Transportation Security Administration and various police departments currently use and evaluate the IMPACT system.