Department of Homeland Security Launches “Regional Technology Integration” Initiative in Memphis, Tennessee

Release Date: 08/13/04 00:00:00

Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010
August 13, 2004
Memphis, TN

The Department of Homeland Security today announces the broadening of its Regional Technology Integration (RTI) initiative to the Memphis, Tennessee, urban area. RTI facilitates the transition of innovative technologies and organizational concepts to regional, state, and local jurisdictions.

Through the RTI program, managed by Homeland Security’s Science & Technology directorate, four urban areas across the country have been selected to be the initial pilot locations for this initiative. The Cincinnati, Ohio, urban area was announced in June, 2004, and the selection of Anaheim, California, was announced in July, 2004. The fourth site will be announced shortly. All of the selected regions are currently participating in the Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative and have demonstrated a willingness and capacity to adopt advanced and innovative concepts for emergency preparedness and public safety.  

“This initiative will help communities strengthen their security posture by speeding the introduction and implementation of new technologies,” said Homeland Security Under Secretary for Science and Technology Charles McQueary. “From detection to prevention, from preparedness to response, we will focus on quickly bringing the best of American innovation to bear on homeland security in a model that can be replicated nationwide.”  

The implementation of the RTI program at these four initial locations will provide the science and technology community with a realistic environment to test maturing hardware and concepts. The program will also provide information on how best to choose, deploy, and manage innovative technologies to strengthen the security posture of these and other communities.  

The goal of Homeland Security’s Regional Technology Integration initiative is to speed the successful transfer and integration of existing and advanced homeland security technology systems to local governments in order to improve their preparedness and response. The program focuses on the prompt implementation of technologies for detection and response; the collaboration with end-users and other Homeland Security programs; the integration of new technologies with the existing infrastructure, systems and concepts to reduce costs and assure sustainability; and measurable objectives and continuous evaluation to ease the utilization of lessons learned and best practices by other communities.

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