The Regional Technology Center (RTC) was established at SDSU as a part of the University’s mission for community engagement. As such, it focuses on the San Diego regional first responder, public safety and emergency management communities to conduct unbiased research, assessments, and recommendations for optimization of the community’s resources. It employs subject matter experts, who, in concert with various elements of the University provide expertise in the areas of Interoperable Communications, Geographic Information systems, Collaboration tools and systems, as well as general technologies of interest to the community. The vision of the RTC is complementary to that of the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate, whose goal is to accelerate the delivery of enhanced technology solutions and capabilities that meet the requirement of first responders and public safety agencies, providing technical guidance at the national level.

The RTC was created in cooperation with the Regional Technology Partnership (RTP), which was established by the Unified Disaster Council (UDC) as a result of lessons learned during the San Diego Regional Wildfires of October 2003. In conjunction with SDSU, the UDC established the RTC under the RTP to provide a regional clearinghouse function and serve as the central coordination and implementation point for regional projects and issues, and to ensure that individual technology projects are monitored and aligned with the regional strategy.

The San Diego Urban Area (SDUA) has chosen a strategic path that allows it the ability to plan for, implement, and utilize technology solutions on an integrated regional basis. The current vision is to improve operable and interoperable voice and data communications, geospatial capabilities and other technologies for emergency response services. Through the use of technology, first responders will be better able to perform their routine duties and respond during critical major public safety incidents, where interoperability is a key success factor. The RTC supports that strategy.

The RTC provides University support to the UDC and RTP, and also the San Diego Association of Governments Public Safety Committee (SANDAG PSC). It is a part of the overall SDSU Homeland Security effort. Funding comes from the Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative and other Department of Homeland Security grants.

The RTC is a product-independent, neutral organization. Offices are located on campus within the SDSU Research Foundation Gateway Building facility. The RTC also maintains laboratory and testbed facilities in the Chemical Sciences Laboratory building.

The following document provides an overview of the RTC ( RTC Overview ).

For questions contact Bob Welty at bwelty@homelandsecurity.sdsu.edu.