How We Define Innovation

At the Howard & Carol Safir Foundation, innovation means improving how public safety work is carried out in real world settings.

We define innovation as the thoughtful application of ideas, tools, processes, or partnerships that measurably improve operational performance, safety, readiness, or coordination in real world public safety environments.

Innovation does not have to be brand-new, or technology driven. It may involve:

  • Applying proven approaches in new operational contexts
  • Adapting existing tools or practices to better fit field realities
  • Improving workflows, decision-making, or coordination across agencies
  • Scaling or refining solutions that demonstrate clear operational value

We prioritize projects that:

  • Address a clearly defined operational challenge
  • Are informed by practitioner experience
  • Can be implemented within active public safety operations
  • Demonstrate measurable outcomes
  • Have potential for broader adoption or replication

Innovation, in this context, is not about complexity, it is about impact, usability, and results.

We encourage applicants to focus on projects that result in tangible operational improvements that public safety professionals can use in real-world environments.