National Urban Security Technology Laboratory
The laboratory's mission is "to test, evaluate, and analyze homeland security capabilities while serving as a technical authority to first responder, state, and local entities in protecting our cities.
"[2] In fulfilling this mission, the laboratory serves as a federal technical authority promoting the successful development and integration of homeland security technologies into operational end-user environments.
[3] The lab "is constantly developing and testing new tools for our brave first responders to use in the event of a terrorist attack, industrial accident or natural disaster and closely collaborates with law enforcement agencies ..." Rep. Kathleen Rice, a New York Democrat said on the House floor recently.
Fallout from nuclear weapons tests became a major concern and the lab's focus later shifted to a network of monitoring stations and measurements of radioactivity in food products.
In the 1970s, the lab established the Quality Assurance Program for environmental dosimeters and radioanalytical measurements, continued work related to nuclear weapons tests, and studied radon in homes.
An article in the scientific journal Health Physics was published in 2018 titled: "Sidekicks to the Heroes: How Science and Technology Support First Responders (And How You Can Too)"[21] details the history and current work of NUSTL.
According to proposed Congressional authorization, "as a DHS S&T federal laboratory, NUSTL conducts research, development, testing and evaluation in order to better understand and mitigate current and future homeland security threats.
"[27][28] According to a press release in 2017, "The labs strategic location in New York City allows for innovative systems and technologies to be tested by local first responders before being implemented on a national scale.
"This new lab is at the core of producing new and innovative solutions with improved collaboration, increased training, and upgraded scientific capabilities to make our nation more safe, secure and resilient."
[43] According to the justification, "NUSTL works with end users in the lab and field to promote successful deployment of both commercial and emerging technologies.
Many questions have been raised over the justification for closing unique and valuable laboratories that focus on detecting and mitigating terrorist threats via weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) to help protect the American public.
[46][47] Regarding the potential closure, as cited in an article in the Chief Leader,[48] one expert from John Jay College remarked "This is really unfortunate...in the age where we have to worry about dirty bombs."
These potential closures are "...part of a greater budgetary assault on science that will directly impact our ability to detect and respond to acts of terrorism.
In the press release about the amendment, Congressman Donovan stated: "NUSTL is constantly developing and testing new tools that ensure the brave men and women on our front lines can protect our homeland, and it's critical they have resources to continue their innovative work.
"[29] New York City Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro stated that "Closing NUSTL would negatively affect preparedness and response planning for terrorist incidents, industrial accidents, and routine emergencies.
"[29] During testimony to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications (Committee on Homeland Security), Chief Timothy Rice of the New York City Fire Department stated that NUSTL has "strengthened the department's ability to save life and property and ultimately make the people of New York and millions of visitors to the region safer each day.
"[49] The NYTimes article states that "law enforcement and emergency management officials in New York and New Jersey, as well as members of Congress from both parties, said they were concerned about the potential loss of a Homeland Security research lab in a city that remains a top target for terrorists."
Mr. Charles Jennings, a professor at John Jay College in New York who directs the Christian Regenhard Center for Emergency Response Studies.
To address future stability of NUSTL's critical role to national security, on June 19, 2018, the 115th Congress US House of Representatives passed H.R.4991 - Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act.
In a speech on the House floor to pass HR 4991, Congressman Dan Donovan (R-NY), stated "NUSTL has been a critical resource in protecting our homeland since 1947.
For example, Jeff Schlegelmilch, the deputy director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University's Earth Institute was quoted in a recent CNN article that "Removing that capability in any sort of unplanned way is going to cause trauma and potential vulnerabilities.
