ITT Industries Meets Night Operational
Needs of Homeland Security

Training and Grant Assistance Add Value to High-Performance Technology

Developing, manufacturing and supplying night vision equipment to U.S. and allied military forces has been the mission of ITT Industries Night Vision for over three decades. During this time, technological improvements in the image intensifier tube – the “heart” of every night vision product – have advanced night vision technology through a series of “generations,” with Generation 3 technology being the current state of the art.

But who really needs this powerful, highly sensitive imaging technology? Not the average consumer, as ITT learned after years of investing in advertising and promotions targeted to the general public. No, the most advanced level of this critical technology must be reserved for users who truly need to see at night to complete critical missions. The same technology that has enabled U.S. military forces to “own the night” now is enabling Federal agents – as well as first responders – to detect threats that are hidden in darkness, thereby becoming a valued tool for Homeland Defense.

Identifying the Need
When ITT first began to expand its business beyond military users, the company discovered many similarities between military and law enforcement: cyclical buying patterns; a preference for compact, lightweight, flexible high-performance equipment; the value placed on training; and – most importantly – concern for user safety. The ability to see and to clearly identify “friend from foe” may mean the difference between life and death for the police officer as well as the soldier.

In an effort to better educate itself with respect to night operational needs of law enforcement, ITT Industries Night Vision – in 2001 – launched its Saved by Sight™ program. This web-based survey of more than 2,300 law enforcement officers revealed:

• 91 percent of respondents said that their risks are somewhat high or very high when operating in dark conditions. Respondents cited – as support for their response – lack of proper equipment, and the fact that flashlights and other light sources pose a significant risk because they enable criminals to detect an officer’s location.
• Only 3 percent of law enforcement officers have access to quality night vision.
• The greatest fear factors cited by law enforcement in the survey were: walking into the unknown, being unprepared and being under-equipped.

Finding the Funding
In spite of the similarities between military and law enforcement users, differences also exist. Night vision equipment has been regarded, traditionally, as a luxury item for most police departments; therefore, it has not been purchased in any volume comparable to major military procurements. Law enforcement access to advanced technology has been limited historically by insufficient budgets – a lack of adequate funding. The post 9/11 establishment of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has translated into a step in the right direction for prioritizing the needs of first responders.

“Now, more than ever, law enforcement officers must be equipped with proper tools and technologies that will enable them to prevent, as well as respond to, a major disaster or terrorist attack,” stated Larry Curfiss, ITT Industries Night Vision Vice President & Director of Business Development. “In their efforts to protect U.S. citizens, first responders become our safety shield. We must do everything we can to ensure that they have access to critical, life-saving technology.”

One approach ITT has taken toward improving equipment affordability is to offer a certified grant writing specialist to assist police departments with researching and applying for available monies.

“Just as limited budgets prohibit departments from purchasing needed equipment, they also don’t stretch far enough to cover special resources, such as grant writers,” Curfiss explained. “We believe this service adds value for our law enforcement customers.” Ms. Margaret Stark, ITT’s grant writing specialist, can be reached at: (540)994-0790 or via email at: mstark@ittgrantinfo.com

Prioritizing Training
Night vision goggle (NVG) training is not provided routinely for law enforcement officers as it is for military aviators and infantrymen. ITT recognizes and promotes the importance of training – to ensure that police officers and Federal agents learn to work with the equipment’s limitations as well as its capabilities. ITT trainers travel to user locations to provide instruction in night vision equipment operations. Training may be conducted on site, either at the user’s facility or inside ITT’s 40-foot mobile unit (trailer), which doubles as a classroom and “dark-room” demonstration area.

“Prior to this training, my team and I had very limited knowledge about night vision,” stated Deputy R. P. Stockton, Hernando County (Florida) SWAT Team. “At the session’s end, my team and I had a much greater understanding about night vision and its application. Kevin Kellas (ITT’s trainer) presented the material in a very professional manner and in a way that we could understand it.”

In keeping with its commitment to training, ITT recently opened a satellite training office across from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick, GA. Located directly outside the FLETC facility’s main gate, the new field office will provide ITT training personnel with improved access to the various agencies that visit and work with FLETC, as well as the thousands of trainees who annually participate in FLETC programs.

“The close proximity of the two facilities will enable our trainers to provide weekly on-site night vision demonstrations for FLETC instructors and students alike,” explained Curfiss. “This frequent contact also will provide our training personnel with more direct and immediate feedback regarding night vision equipment performance, which will further improve our responsiveness to user concerns and suggestions.”

Extending the Vision
Since 9/11/01, ITT has extended its technology and customer support well beyond state and local law enforcement into a number of Federal agencies. The demand for increased security and surveillance to protect our nation’s infrastructure can be met only via advanced imaging capabilities. In addition to its night vision equipment, ITT offers a selection of CCD and CMOS cameras to address perimeter security and surveillance requirements of U.S. customs, border patrol and port authority. Not limited strictly to low-light applications, this technology provides 24/7 sensing capabilities.

“When it comes to Homeland Security, there are still so many unknowns,” stated Curfiss. “For that reason, we have to be prepared – and increasingly flexible – to provide law enforcement with the right solution for the right situation.”