Nonprofit Information Technology Disaster Resource Center provides free technology assistance to fire camp

If you use or have used WiFi service, for fire incident business or to say hello to your sweetie, in fire camps for the Okanogan, Chelan, or North Star/Tunk Complexes, you likely have been using the services of a little known national non-profit technology center on wheels. Providing 24-hour nationwide disaster response, the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC) is supported 100 percent by volunteer professionals and corporate partners with expertise in many technology disciplines.

You can't miss the five satellite dishes near the Omak Stampede Grounds and the big bus in the background with the multicolored logo. The ITDRC has committed to the Okanogan Complex Incident Command to provide no-cost technical services, including WiFi to the fire camp bases in north central Washington for a 30-day deployment. Their assistance and services supplement those provided by incident IT specialists and contractors.

ITDRC is a member of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and a trusted resource to emergency-management and disaster-relief organizations across the nation. It delivers no-cost information, communications, and technology (ICT) resources and technical solutions to communities after catastrophic events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and floods. Most members are trained in Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) basics.

 ITDRC is the only all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity dedicated to providing emergency communications and technical resources to assist communities affected by disaster within the United States. There are a number of for-profit companies and governmental agencies with similar capabilities. There are also some international relief organizations that provide limited resources, primarily in developing countries. Information Technology Disaster Resource Center

 ITDRC, has responded to six disasters (floods,

 wildfire,tornados) in four states to date in 2015. 

ITDRC's communication center and satellite dishes; all 

equipment including the bus has been donated 

by corporate sponsors.

dishNET is one of ITDRC's
 many socially responsible corporation sponsors. 

Equipment, such as radios, cell phones, computers,
 laptops,and Ipads, loaned to community organizations 
during disasters is tracked on a large whiteboard in
the self-contained 40-foot bus/command center.

ITDRC's mission is to prepare and assist communities with

technology continuity and recovery of information systems

during times of disaster. This is fulfilled through education,

planning and disaster response.

ITDRC provides mobile workspaces for two
communications unit leaders of the Complexes.

Firefighter uses free WiFi service
provided by ITDRC in camp