Lessons learned during recent hurricane relief efforts will help the Coast Guard improve its response to future disasters. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Giles.

Innovation Program Gathers Lessons Learned From Coast Guard Hurricane Responders

The Coast Guard Innovation Program is ensuring that lessons learned during the responses to hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria are shared throughout the service.

The Innovation Program is using the CG_Ideas@Work crowdsourcing platform to gather from Coast Guard personnel suggestions for ways to improve disaster response and immediately directing these ideas to the appropriate program so that potential solutions reach Coast Guard leaders quickly. Submitted ideas are also considered for future Coast Guard research, development, test and evaluation projects.

"We saw some remarkable initiative and problem-solving during recent hurricane response and recovery operations, from expanded use of social media to cloud-based asset reporting," said Rear Adm. Joseph Vojvodich, deputy commandant for mission support and an Innovation Council co-chairman. "We want to rapidly capture and share those lessons, and get the new ideas in front of decision-makers while they are still fresh."

A recent Coast Guard Compass blog post highlights the Innovation Program’s efforts in more detail.

For more information: Innovation Program page