The Center for Innovation Technology and George Mason University have partnered to help the Department of Homeland Security study smart building technologies under a four-year, $19M contract.
The effort aims to support public safety and aid first responders in building-related rescue operations, CIT said Monday.
The university’s Fairfax Campus hosted an exhibition of these technologies the same day, with an active threat exercise for demonstration purposes.
Volunteers, law enforcement officers, first responders, academic researchers and other stakeholders took part in the exercise that supports SCITI Labs, a DHS-sponsored program that seeks to address public safety issues via smart city technologies.
“The program is a showcase for the power of collaboration among federal, state and local government, and our university and industry partners,” said Brian Ball, Virginia secretary of commerce and trade.
