First Responder Communities of Practice

Jose Vazquez is the Director of the First Responder Technologies (R-Tech) program at the Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate. Jose leads the Tech Clearinghouse group which rapidly disseminates technology information on products and services available to first responders through FirstResponder.gov, an umbrella portal, and First Responder Communities of Practice, a professional networking and collaboration site. Additionally, he oversees the Tech Solutions group which provides resources and technology solutions that address mission emergent high priority capability gaps identified by the emergency response community. Jose served twenty years in the United States Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer prior to joining the Federal Government as a civilian in September 2002; during his last tour on active duty, he was assigned to the Navy Staff where he was responsible for politico-military issues between the United States Navy and the Navies of North and South America.