Military, civilian first responders participate in relief hackathon

Over the weekend, Department of Defense (DoD) and civilian first responders joined technologists from across the country to participate in the inaugural MD5 Hackathon. The event launched the MD5 National Security Technology Accelerator, a public-private partnership between the DoD, New York University, and other U.S. research universities.

From October 14 to 16, participants worked together to create solutions to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief challenges in dense urban environments. “Our mission is to develop the people and human-centered networks necessary to compete and win in the rapidly changing technology and national security environments,” said MD5 Director Adam Jay Harrison.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General Paul J. Selva spoke highly of program, saying “Through programs like MD5, the defense department will continue to cultivate innovation and creative problem solving as a core leadership competence, and expand opportunities to collaborate with our partners in academia and industry to solve our biggest national security challenges.”

For more information about the hackathon, please follow the links below.
DoD Participates in Disaster Relief Hackathon in New York City, DoD News
DoD Accelerator Program Aims to Spur Public-Private Natl Security Tech Collaboration, Executive Gov
Hackathon NYC, MD5