The AWS DRP team focuses on building strategic relationships with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGO), nonprofit organizations (NPO), and educational institutions focusing on disaster response. Additionally, the AWS DRP is developing a capability to deploy technical AWS staff during disasters and directly aid disaster-responding organizations in leveraging AWS technology called the AWS Disaster Response Action Team (AWS DRT). The group assists with installing ad-hoc network infrastructure that serves affected communities in times of disaster, while the primary infrastructure is repaired or rebuilt.
AWS deployed 15 AWS DRP volunteers to support Information Technology Disaster Resource Center’s (ITDRC) disaster response operations in North Carolina following Hurricane Florence, Florida following Hurricane Michael, and California following the wildfires. Response operations were led in communities impacted by Hurricanes Florence and Michael in the Southeastern United States and wildfire devastated Butte County in Northern California. The team assisted ITDRC’s efforts to provide technology continuity to those local communities affected such as assessing and triaging technical needs, installing and maintaining Wi-Fi networks in relief shelters, and installing computers in local schools.