Falls Church, VA (October 11, 2007) – Noblis has received a $1.8 million cooperative agreement award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Interoperability and Compatibility to conduct research and development on security and video-quality research.   The research is being conducted to enhance the capabilities of frontline first responders during emergencies. “Noblis is proud to have this opportunity to help bring the benefits of innovative thinking and technology to the front lines of public safety,” said Noblis President and CEO Amr ElSawy. “Whether it is a natural disaster, national security event, or the daily work of public safety personnel nationwide, the key to effective emergency response is effective communication.” “The Office for Interoperability and Compatibility is committed—as ever— to dev eloping tools and resources that effectively meet the critical needs of emergency responders on the frontlines,” said Dr. David Boyd, Director, Department of Homeland Security’s Command, Control and Interoperability Division. “Noblis’ R&D work in support of the Public Safety Statement of Requirements will help industry align innovative technologies with the security and video quality needs of end users.” Noblis’ R&D efforts in the security arena will generate a set of requirements that reflects the security needs, goals, priorities, and technological opportunities of emergency responders.  Noblis’ video R&D will analyze the current use of video by emergency responders, anticipate their future use of video and ensure that technologies accommodate their needs.  The R&D is directly related to the emergency response community’s interest in video technology and will examine areas from surveillance cameras in th e open to onboard video cameras in emergency response vehicles.   A potential capability for video-quality research is explained by Mr. Mark Jones, manager of Noblis’ Mobile Communication’s Team. “Imagine a scenario where firefighters are battling a fire with the help of their command-and-control element managing them on the ground,” Jones said. “Now imagine the command-and-control element watching video being wirelessly streamed from a helicopter overhead.  This will provide the capability to quickly direct the firefighters toward safety should a problem arise, or toward the best area to fight the fire.”   Jones added that systems could be developed that allow a police officer to use video automation technology to clearly see a criminal’s license plate while in pursuit in the dark and at a distance. About Noblis Noblis is a nonprofit science, technology and strategy organization that helps clients solve complex scientific, systems, process and infrastructure problems in ways that benefit the public. Noblis brings the best of scientific thought, management and engineering know-how in an environment of independence and objectivity to find solutions that are practical, forward thinking and sustainable.  Noblis is at work in many essential fields, including national and homeland security; transportation; healthcare; criminal justice; energy and the environment; oceans, atmosphere and space; and public safety.  Headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, Noblis employs nearly 800 accomplished scientists, analysts, engineers, researchers, technology specialists and management experts in offices throughout the U.S.  The organization had revenue of $138 million in 2006. Contact:  Edna Davis 703.610.1953 edavis@noblis.org