First Responder Support Tools (FiRST)

FiRST provides First Responders, Emergency Managers and associated government officials easy access to map-based improvised explosive device (IED) standoff distances and HAZMAT spill evacuation areas. FiRST is available on Windows, Android and iOS (iPhone/iPad) platforms. NOTE: The DHS IED standoff data is available to all users that register the application using a .gov, .mil, or .us email extension. Other users that need access to DHS IED standoff data can request access via emailing first@ara.com (please include the 8-digit FiRST ID shown on the IED verification code dialog and a brief justification of your need to know). Access to IED standoff data for users without a .gov, .mil, or .us email extension is not guaranteed.

The IED standoff data is based on criteria set by the DHS Office for Bombing Prevention and the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG). The IED range-to-effect data is based on the FEMA 426, Reference Manual to Mitigate Potential Terrorist Attacks Against Buildings. Hazmat evacuation and reference data based on the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) developed jointly by Transport Canada (TC), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Secretariat of Transport and Communications of Mexico (SCT) and with the collaboration of CIQUIME (Centro de Información Química para Emergencias) of Argentina.

Features of the software include:

• Display IED Mandatory Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Zones for 8 pre-defined bomb sizes; for iOS and Windows versions, users can define custom IED types and standoff distances
• Display Isolation Zones and down-wind Protection Zones for over 3,000 chemicals
• Display distance to glass breakage, injury, and structural damage based on pre-defined bomb sizes
• Information displayed on Google Maps, with similar functionality to zoom, search by address, current location, and map/satellite/hybrid views
• Automatically retrieve current winds (Powered by WeatherBug), or forecast wind direction from the National Weather Service (US only) or Meteorologisk Institutt (Worldwide); weather can also be user input or input using the phone compass functionality
• Results shown geographically as well as text based
• Search and display predefined points of interest (schools, nurseries, hospitals, police/fire stations, and government facilities) from Google Search services to identify key facilities within the incident area
• Run roadblock analysis services to identify within seconds the optimal location of roadblocks to isolate the incident area
• Place and label points on the map to identify key locations
• On-button summary of results (text, map image, map data shape and kml file attachments) in an email to disseminate to other responding personnel
• Includes reference material from the 2008 ERG and important chemical contacts for quick calling
• Store map images (including legends) for reference when connectivity prevents access to network maps

Features unique to the Windows PC version:

• Place IED and hazmat spill incidents simultaneously (only one type of each is allowed)
• Annotate the map with lines and polygons in addition to points
• Save and retrieve results
• Open “Street View” within the map to provide a street level view of the incident area

FiRST for iPhone/iPad is available on iTunes.
FiRST for Android is available on Google Play.
FiRST for Windows PC is available on the ARA Store.

News article on the Homeland Security Science and Technology website: Smartphone Application Assists in Bomb Threat Response.