Disaster Technologist is a professional association of people and entities who have the expertise and training, or the desire to gain the expertise and knowledge, to provide technology solutions at a disaster incident or in preparation for a disaster.

Disaster relief agencies need to have a reliable source to find and recruit qualified individuals capable of providing technology solutions at the time of response. These same agencies don't have the time or funding available to them to concentrate on the technology part of their logistics but rather, they need to concentrate on their core mission. None of them has a core mission of technology delivery during a disaster response.

Although there are amateur radio associations, disaster technology has evolved from just two way radio communications. Technology usage in disaster response not only includes communications, such as two way radios, but also computers, networking, satellite systems and mapping systems. There have been no organizations prior to the inception of Disaster Technologist Association that support or address all of the technology used in disaster response.

Phase I of the operation has already begun with the creation of Disaster Technologist Association web site for potential and current members to visit and share "best practices" and "lessons learned" with people of similar interest. We have initiated the recruitment of members and are communicating with disaster relief organizations to be assured the Association meets all of the needs of the community.

Phase II is projected to begin in 2009. During this phase, the Association will create on-line video training modules for our membership to study and thus become well versed in the delivery of technology services on disaster relief operations. Additionally, we will develop a certification program for members to qualify as Certified Disaster Technologist. As a result, groups will have one source of trained and experienced individuals to assist them in the delivery of their services through the use of technology.

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