Sign in Subscribe
Semiconductor industry

FEMA Launches Tech Corps Program to Leverage Private Sector Expertise in Disaster Response

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The US Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has introduced the Tech Corps program, a nationwide network of skilled technology volunteers who can address critical technology gaps during a disaster. Seven organizations, including Cisco Systems, Google, and Microsoft, have joined the program to provide state, local, tribal, and territorial governments with technology resources to expedite response and recovery efforts. The initiative aims to complement ongoing response and recovery efforts by providing support in areas such as internet connectivity, telephone and radio communications, and geographic information system (GIS) capacity.

Key Takeaways:

  • FEMA has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with seven technology organizations to join the Tech Corps program: Cisco Systems, Google, Humanity Road, Information Technology Disaster Resource Center, Intel, Joint Communications Task Force, and Microsoft.
  • The Tech Corps program is based on a model proposed by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) in 2002, which aims to leverage private sector technology capabilities to innovate disaster response.
  • Trained technology volunteers can provide support in areas such as installing temporary networks, enabling internet connectivity, and providing GIS capacity, coding, and data analytics.
  • Tech Corps partners have been involved in national and global technology disaster response efforts, including providing support during Hurricane Sandy and the earthquakes in Nepal and Haiti.
  • The program aims to foster greater coordination between volunteers and the emergency management community through FEMA.

Statistics:

  • 7 technology organizations have joined the Tech Corps program.
  • 2002: Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) proposed the model for leveraging private sector technology capabilities to innovate disaster response.
  • 2013: The initial group of companies was assembled for the voluntary program.
  • 2013-present: Tech Corps partners have been active in national and global technology disaster response efforts.
  • Hurricane Sandy, 2012: $71 billion in damages and 139 deaths (Bloomberg, 2020).
  • Earthquakes in Nepal, 2015: 9,000 deaths (World Health Organization, 2015).
  • Earthquakes in Haiti, 2010: 220,000 deaths (Center for Disaster Philanthropy, 2020).

Sources:

  • US Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) news release, June 17.
  • Bloomberg. (2020). Sandy Ten Years Later: What's Changed (No). Retrieved from .
  • Center for Disaster Philanthropy. (2020). 2010 Haiti Earthquake. Retrieved from .
  • World Health Organization. (2015). Nepal Earthquake Situation Report #8. Retrieved from .

Read more