Sandia National Labs: Homeland Security

Rapidly Deployable Chemical Defense (RDCD)

Under this Department of Homeland Security project, Sandia is working with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to develop, maintain, and operate a rapidly deployable chemical defense (RDCD) system to provide added protection for special events, such as national political conventions, major public celebrations, and large sporting events.

The team adapted existing technologies into a wireless "detect-to-warn" system that includes chemical detection modules, video surveillance, and a communication and information system with the following features:

Portability.
Rapid deployment.
Total venue coverage.
Minimal false alarms.
Interior and exterior use.

The team also conducted initial event-planning steps and examined concepts of operations that in an actual deployment would include protocols for responding to alarms. They have successfully tested the prototype RDCD ground-based system component.

Future plans include:

Continuing the development of pre-event planning and site characterization procedures, including the integration of portable meteorological stations.
Enhancing and expanding the detect-to-warn system.
Improving a transportable chemical analysis/confirmation capability.
Maintaining on-call operational readiness.

Chem/Bio National Security

Defense Against Chemical and Biological Threats

Rapidly Deployable Chemical Defense (RDCD)