FUTURE FORCE AND FIRST RESPONDERS: BUILDING TIES FOR COLLABORATION AND LEVERAGED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Visions for the information needs and operational capabilities of the Future Force are similar to those for First Responders who comprise the backbone of Homeland Security personnel. There is also an increasing role for collaboration between Future Force warriors and First Responders in response to both domestic incidents and internationally through peacekeeping and related operational roles (US Army 2001; US Army 2004). The purpose of this position paper is to summarize the information environment of First Responders from the perspective of the IT/C4ISR community, seeking to highlight areas for collaboration, extension of research, and opportunities for leveraged R&D.