St. Louis is getting a chance to test how smart sensors can help city departments respond better to emergencies. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has spent more than a year developing ways that cities can use a network of smart devices. Now, a pilot program with the city will allow DHS to test the plans in real life. "In what ways does it work; in what ways is it deficient?” said Norman Speicher, who is managing the partnership for DHS. Speicher envisions a city deploying sensors that can detect flash flooding on a street, and then automatically route emergency responders to the area and other traffic away from the area. Wearable sensors could let commanders on the scene of a large building fire know when firefighters are under distress.