The last thing agencies can afford during natural disasters is for communications to go down, but many agencies have yet to adequately diversify their networks.

The project will focus on getting technology to state and local first responders to better track and respond to natural disasters.

Cloud-based tools are giving agency leaders better situational awareness during critical events to keep dispersed employees safe and informed.

The goal is to produce hourly updates to crews instead of the daily wildfire maps that are the current standard.