About the Virtual USA Initiative
Developed in partnership with the emergency response community, Virtual USA creates a cost-effective nationwide capability that significantly improves information sharing and decision making during emergencies and day-to-day operations. Based on current and emerging technologies, Virtual USA integrates existing information-sharing frameworks and technologies to enable collaboration at the local, tribal, state, and Federal levels by providing critical context for information - thereby making it actionable.
vUSA one pager vUSA FAQ's
SE ROPP
The Southeast Regional Operations Platform Pilot (SE ROPP) integrates existing platforms, visualization tools, and other data sets to allow participating states’ systems to interoperate and share information, regardless of the technology the states are using. The SE ROPP creates scalable and replicable models to enable effective multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplinary incident management across the Nation—all while leveraging existing infrastructures at the state and local levels. Pilot participants include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Phase I and Phase II one pagers
PNW Pilot
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Pilot focuses on information-sharing and collaboration on a regional level. Based on current and emerging technologies, the overall goal of the PNW Pilot is to provide states with specific recommendations to address the needs of the state and regional emergency management community, improve emergency management efforts, and develop scalable information-sharing models that other jurisdictions and regions across the Nation may employ. Pilot participants include the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
Virtual USA Capability
The Virtual USA Gen II Prototype provides a Web-based, trusted environment and a common space for users to discover information and seamlessly collaborate in real time. Gen III, the next phase of the capability development, will culminate at the end of 2010.
vUSA one pager
Press Room
Secretary Napolitano Unveils DHS’ Open Government Plan http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1270662888919.shtm
DHS S&T Enhances Information Sharing for First Responders http://www.safecomprogram.gov/SiteCollectionDocuments/TCIPPressReleaseFinalDistributed2210.pdf
Secretary Napolitano Unveils “Virtual USA” Information-Sharing Initiative
http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1260375414161.shtm
Virtual USA Tools
Viper Information-Sharing & Visualization Platform Tool
Virtual USA: Approaches to Information Sharing
Virtual USA Important Resources
Contact Information
VirtualUSA@DHS.GOV