Optimizing Emergency Communication Centers (ECCs) with Artificial Intelligence (AI) Collaboration Event (CE)

Purpose

HSWERX, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Technology Transfer & Commercialization Branch (T2C), will host a series of events to find the best of breed solutions for an AI/ML-augmented telecommunicator function and capability. These solutions should enhance operational decision making for telecommunicators, firstresponders, and emergency managers while strengthening public safety and supporting homeland security priorities across multiple threat environments.

Objective

S&T's First Responder Capability program provides technical assistance and develops innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges faced by first responders, emergency managers, and incident commanders as they respond to hazardous situations. The program strengthens the abilities of our communities to protect the homeland, respond to disasters, and ensure effective emergency communications that can support broader security objectives.

Building upon a previously developed capability that ingests telephony information and successfully identifies time-sensitive calls (such as those related to stroke and cardiac arrest), this project aims to further leverage telephony data to reduce telecommunicator workload and address fundamental use cases in emergency communication. While the primary focus will be on telephony data, the project will also include research components to demonstrate the potential for incorporating other public safety and NG-911 datasources, including:

·      Multimedia from various caller devices

·      IoT sensors and connected infrastructure

·      Enhanced location data with improved accuracy

·      Medical and health information

·      Incident scene information, surrounding conditions, and situational updates

The system architecture will be designed to support future extensions to these additional modalities while ensuring robust cybersecurity protections, secure information sharing across jurisdictions, and interoperability with relevant emergency response and law enforcement networks.

Why You Should Participate

The Collaboration Event (CE) is designed to provide insights to ensure that potential partners understand the problem set(s) fully and to increase the likelihood of matching their technologies with end user needs. This CE is also an opportunity for attendees to network and form partnerships that may provide a more comprehensive solution.

Event Timeline

Phase 1 – August 12, 2025 – Government Only Collaboration Event (CE): HSWERX will support the First Responder team in refining the focus for the August 13 CE by facilitating a Government Only CE. This session will be used to identify current limitations, explore ways to overcome them, and develop and prioritize problem statements for use in the August 13 CE.

Tentative Agenda

All times listed are in ET  
8:30–9:00: Participants arrive at District Offices
9:00–9:05: T2C & HSWERX Welcome Remarks 
9:05–9:30: DHS S&T MCS Welcome & Problem Set  
9:30–10:30: Current Limitations Breakout  
10:30–10:45: Break  
10:45–11:45: Ways to Overcome Limitations Breakout  
11:45–1:00: Lunch (on your own)  
1:00–3:00: Problem Statement Development  
3:00–3:15: Break  
3:15–4:30: Problem Statement Briefs  
4:30–4:45: Voting  
4:45–5:00: Path Forward

Note: Agenda is subject to change.

Phase 2 – August 13, 2025 – Collaboration Event: HSWERX will host the CE with government, industry, academic, and laboratory partners focused on DHS needs. During this event, government end users will interact with potential partners and further communicate operational needs, performance goals, and other desired criteria.

Tentative Agenda

All times listed are in ET  
8:30–9:00: Participants arrive at District Offices
9:00–9:05: T2C & HSWERX Welcome Remarks 
9:05–9:30: DHS S&T MCS Welcome & Problem Set  
9:30–10:15: Current Limitations Breakout  
10:15–10:30: Break  
10:30–11:30: Ways to Overcome Limitations Breakout  
11:30–1:00: Lunch (on your own)  
1:00–2:30: Problem Statement Development  
2:30–2:45: Break  
2:45–4:00: Problem Statement Briefs  
4:00–4:05: Voting  
4:05–4:20: Tech Pitches
4:20–4:30: Path Forward

Note: Agenda is subject to change.

Additional information regarding follow-on efforts will be posted to this site following the Collaboration Event. 

How You Can Participate

Government, Industry, Academia, and National Labs Attendees:

- Request to Attend (RTA) the Collaboration Event (CE): Click Here to RTA NLT July 23, 2025

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Questions? For event-related questions, please contact Bridget Bailey: bbailey@hswerx.org

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