Release Date: December 9, 2009
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today
officially launched Virtual USA, an innovative information-sharing
initiative-developed in collaboration with the emergency response
community and state and local governments across the nation-that helps
federal, state, local and tribal first responders communicate during
emergencies.
"Our first responders need interoperable tools to make accurate and
timely decisions during emergencies," said Secretary Napolitano.
"Virtual USA makes it possible for new and existing technologies to
work together seamlessly during disaster response and recovery and
gives the public an opportunity to contribute information in real-time
to support the efforts of police officers, firefighters and other
emergency management officials."
The announcement came as part of the White House Open Government
Initiative and reflects President Obama and Secretary Napolitano's
shared commitment to making government more efficient and fostering a
culture of transparency, participation and collaboration.
Virtual USA links disparate tools and technologies in order to share
the location and status of critical assets and information-such as
power and water lines, flood detectors, helicopter-capable landing
sites, emergency vehicle and ambulance locations, weather and traffic
conditions, evacuation routes, and school and government building floor
plans-across federal, state, local and tribal governments.
Virtual USA:
• Integrates Existing Frameworks and Investments: Virtual USA utilizes
current information-sharing platforms to permit new and existing
technologies to seamlessly exchange information with one another.
• Draws on Local Input: Virtual USA is based on the needs of local and
state first responders to manage data access within their own
jurisdictions and to share information with relevant jurisdictions
across the nation.
• Employs a Comprehensive Approach: Virtual USA is not limited to
information exchanges between two agencies; instead, the initiative
fosters dynamic information sharing among all federal, state, local and
tribal practitioners.
• Provides a Flexible, Accessible Platform: Because Virtual USA uses
open data standards and open source software, more states and
localities can join this information exchange project.
• Involves Everyone: Virtual USA allows Americans in their own
communities to contribute information-in real-time-to support the
efforts of police, fire and emergency management officials during
disasters and recovery efforts.
Developed by the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T),
Virtual USA currently operates as a pilot in eight states-Alabama,
Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Virginia and
Tennessee-with plans to incorporate additional states underway. In
Virginia alone, Virtual USA has reduced response times to incidents
involving hazardous materials by 70 percent.
For more information, visit
www.dhs.gov.
