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Newsroom
On a mission to influence and accelerate R&D
Part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), PSCR is the primary federal laboratory focused on conducting research, development, testing, and evaluation for public safety communications technologies. Our mission is to accelerate communications innovation in support of public safety communities and the citizens they serve. To do this, we actively pioneer R&D and partner with a diverse group of stakeholders, acting as a nexus for influencing the commercial development of the advanced communications first responders need.
Helping first responders get the advanced communications capabilities they need
By pioneering research into advanced communications technologies for public safety, PSCR creates new opportunities for the R&D community to innovate, invent, and commercialize. Watch the video below to learn about one of PSCR's research investments, haptic interfaces for public safety.
PSCR's e-newsletter contains the latest news, R&D project successes, outcomes, funding opportunities, and events from PSCR and its partners. It is delivered every quarter to registered subscribers, with occasional updates to report on topical events. Sign up now!
New to PSCR? Check out these helpful resources.
Digital Brochure
A summary of PSCR's approach and impacts
Digital Dispatch
A curated list of free research tools
Virtual Tour
A behind-the-scenes look into PSCR’s laboratory
Impacts
A summary of PSCR's return on investment
Select interviews, speeches, and news coverage
View a full list of PSCR's press coverage here.
- "VR Drives Next-gen Situational Awareness for Public Safety" GCN, 2023
- "PSCR partners with FirstNet Authority for June public-safety-communications event" Urgent Comms, 2023
- "Immersive virtual reality brings first responder training into the future" Denver 7, 2022
- "Virtual reality, location services get workout at responder test lab" GCN, 2022
- "Drone competition is underway in Starkville and it's going to be essential for law enforcement" WCBI Mississippi, 2022
- "Can VR Help Combat Racial Bias In Emergency Situations?" Newsy, 2021
- "Emergency Response: How 5G Changes Everything," Invest Ottawa, 2021
- "Future First Responder: Accelerating Public Safety Communications Research," NAPSG Foundation, 2020
- "App, App, and Away," Critical Communications Today, 2018
- NIST Takes Interoperability to New Heights," SIGNAL Magazine, 2018
- "Can a fake rescue help you save a real person? Researchers testing virtual reality think so," The Denver Channel, 2018
- "NIST Public Safety Communications Research Division Chief Dereck Orr at CES," C-SPAN, 2018