U.S.

Department of Homeland Security

Washington, DC 20528

November 30, 2010

Eric Neitzel
National All-Risk Public Information Officer (PIO-1)
Public Information Officer
Show Low Fire Department

Dear Mr. Neitzel:

On behalf of the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate's (S&T's)
First Responder Technologies (R-Tech) program, I would like to officially invite you to join the R-
Tech Virtual Social Media Working Group (VSMWG). You have been identified as an individual
with significant experience and expertise with social media technologies in homeland security
operations, and we believe your perspective will be valuable to this working group.
The mission of the VSMWG is to provide recommendations to the emergency preparedness and
response community on the safe and sustainable use of social media technologies before, during, and
after emergencies. Additionally, the VSMWG will assist in establishing the First Responder
Communities of Practice as a robust knowledge base and resource for current social media
information relevant to the homeland security domain.
Through virtual, interactive meetings, the VSMWG will work to identify and address responder
issues and challenges, and build a knowledge base of helpful information on effective and safe use
of social media. From time to time, the VSMWG will also engage with subject matter experts from
different sectors to work on these issues. VSMWG members will collaborate to prioritize social
media topics and projects, develop and publish best practices and policies, and evaluate (and
potentially pilot) various technologies for their appropriate use within the homeland security
enterprise. The First Responder Communities of Practice platform will serve as the primary location
for the VSMWG to conduct its activities, share its developments, and connect with other public
safety and homeland security professionals in innovative discussion about the value of social media
for emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
All members serve on a voluntary basis. R-Tech requests that they serve a minimum six-month
commitment. Please review the VSMWG Charter, which was previously provided for your
reference. It contains detailed information on the membership, structure, and anticipated activities of
the working group.
Should you choose to accept a position on the VSMWG, please reply to Sarah Kish at 202-955-9433
or via e-mail at skish@ghinternational.com by Friday, December 3, 2010 to indicate which, if any,
of the dates listed below you would not be available to participate in a one-hour kickoff call:

• December 7, 2010 between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM EST

• December 9, 2010 between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM EST
 • December 13, 2010 between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM EST
• December 15, 2010 between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM EST

I look forward to hearing from you and I hope that yyou

ou will be able to join us in this unique and
exciting opportunity.