In 2014, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate launched the National Conversation on Homeland Security Technology—an initiative designed to solicit information from all ranks, disciplines and specialties within the career and volunteer fire service. The information will ultimately be used to help identify technology gaps and needs, and to direct future funding of research and development. It is critical that the fire service voice be heard to help shape the future homeland security technology R&D.
What is the National Conversation?
The National Conversation on Homeland Security Technology is a series of online and in-person discussions designed to get people talking about how to innovate solutions for the nation’s homeland security challenges. The conversation is intended to foster exchange between responders/operational users and innovators to generate sustainable homeland security solutions that will help keep our communities—and the people who protect them—safe and resilient.
The National Conversation addresses any issue related to homeland security technology capabilities. Topics include sensors, wearable technologies for responders, multi-directional situational awareness and decision-making, cybersecurity, screening, and community resilience. While you can start a topic of your own at any time, the National Conversation’s structured “dialogues” will address the following five issue areas:
- Dialogue 1: Responder of the Future
- Dialogue 2: Enable the Decision Maker
- Dialogue 3: Screening at Speed
- Dialogue 4: A Trusted Cyber Future
- Dialogue 5: Resilient Communities
DHS S&T hopes that the National Conversation will help clarify operational user needs and use cases; inform and educate the industry on user needs, use cases, and science and technology gap areas; facilitate opportunities for operational users, researcher, and scientists to provide feedback to industry on the viability of innovative concepts; identify secondary markets by helping industry relate how their solutions and product may have applicability to homeland security; increase the impact of homeland security science and technology research and development programs; and organize a network of industry partners with a common mission to establish mutually beneficial relationships and perpetuate continuous innovation of homeland security solutions.
Why it matters
First and foremost, successful innovation in the area of homeland security means safer, more resilient communities. Each of us not only plays a key role in achieving success, but we are also consumers. The safety of ourselves, our families, our friends and our communities is a shared responsibility.
With that in mind, we want to encourage participation from all stakeholders who play a role in shaping the future of homeland security technology. This means responders, operational users, citizens, academia, and industry.
- Operational users can clarify capability gaps and provide input on the usefulness of technology that is currently available.
- Industry and academia can obtain a better understanding of operational capability gaps and market opportunities, become better connected and expand partnerships.
- Government organizations can take advantage of a new window of opportunity to collaborate, plan ahead, and expand networks.
- Citizens can provide insight and ideas on how solutions can best support the pace of daily life.
How to get involved
You can engage with other participants in a variety of ways:
- Virtual Q&A: Ask and answer questions about responder, operational user, or citizen needs; current technologies; and other factors involved in advancing homeland security and public safety.
- Virtual Idea Exchange: Post and rank ideas on how to innovatively apply technology to technical and operational aspects of homeland security and public safety. Ideas may address technology solutions, ways to integrate emerging technologies with legacy systems, or new methods for R&D and emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
- Virtual and In-Person Meetings: Participate in virtual or in-person roundtables and workshops to address specific topic areas with your peers and other stakeholders able to provide insight on needs and solutions. View the schedule of upcoming meetings.
- Inspiration Awards and Showcase Webinar: Once all dialogues have concluded, submit a white paper about your idea to potentially be featured in the National Conversation Showcase Webinar. Details will be provided as soon as they are available.
The virtual S&T Collaboration Community is available at http://scitech.ideascale.com. Q&A and Ideation forums are open 24/7 and are not facilitated, so you can post at any time.
In sum
Involvement in the National Conversation is imperative to ensure that future homeland security technology R&D includes input from the fire service. If you have great ideas or questions on homeland security technology, this is your chance to get involved.
Pull quote: It is critical that the fire service voice be heard to help shape the future homeland security technology R&D.
