SDR Working Groups

International Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group
The purpose of the International Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group is to facilitate and promote international cooperation in science and technology as it relates to all phases of natural and technological disasters. The working group provides an interagency forum for the exchange of information and identifies and coordinates opportunities for beneficial collaborations. The group also coordinates the SDR's role as the U.S. National Platform for the UN International Strategy on Disaster Reduction (ISDR). Additional information is contained in the Iworking group's charter.

National Preparedness S&T Task Force
The purpose of the National Preparedness S&T Task Force is to address the S&T requirements of the five mission areas of Presidential Policy Directive-8 (prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery) and act as an interagency conduit to more fully integrate S&T into all facets of national preparedness across Federal departments and agencies under PPD-8. The Task Force will also develop recommendations for formal protocols required to conduct joint, interagency post-event science and technology evaluation and assessment. This process would leverage recent event experiences and lessons learned to identify critical science needs and inform the prioritization of future national preparedness S&T investments. Additional information is contained in the group's charter.

Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation Task Force
The purpose of the Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation Task Force is to meet the objectives specified in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. §18388) by improving the Nation's ability to prepare, avoid, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the potentially devastating effects of space weather events. The Task Force serves as an interagency body to define, coordinate, and oversee goals and programmatic priorities of Federal science and technology activities related to space weather, including forecasting, event preparation, mitigation, response, and recovery.

Technology and Innovation for Disaster Preparedness Working Group
The purpose of the Technology and Innovation for Disaster Preparedness Working Group is to bring together Federal departments and agencies to develop best practices when engaging technologists, entrepreneurs, stakeholders and other public officials to cultivate a technology and innovation community that can assist before, during, and after a disaster. The Working Group will also share information and amplify efforts across the agencies, while providing strategic coordination of agency activities at the intersections of technology, innovation, and disaster preparedness. Additional information in contained in the group's charter.

Wildland Fire S&T Task Force
The purpose of the Wildland Fire Science and Technology Task Force is to support the need for increased coordination and cooperation between the Federal agencies with wildland fire management and wildfire mitigation, response, and recovery responsibilities and the Federal organizations with science and technology functions. The Task Force identifies opportunities and mechanisms for increased coordination and cooperation to support the development, access, and application of science and technology in wildland fire management, response, and recovery. The Task Force's objectives align with the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy as well as the core capabilities in the mitigation, response, and recovery areas of the National Preparedness Goal as defined by PPD-8. Additional information is contained in the Task Force's charter.

Windstorm Working Group
The purpose of the Windstorm Working Group is to advance knowledge and policies that reduce the loss of life and property from windstorms in the Nation. The group works to identify and close gaps in federal efforts to improve windstorm hazard understanding, impact assessment, and impact reduction. It also provides an interagency forum to coordinate related Federal research and investment, promote technology integration, unify Federal messaging, and encourage risk-wise behavior. Additional information is contained in the working group's charter.