President Joe Biden on Nov. 12 announced he will nominate cardiologist Dr. Robert Califf to be the next commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a key role as the government continues to combat the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. … Read More
U.S. senators from Mississippi praised the announcement on Tuesday that Pascagoula, Miss.-based shipbuilder VT Halter Marine Inc. was awarded a major contract to build the next generation of U.S. Coast Guard polar icebreakers. A United States presence in the polar … Read More
Recent presidential administrations confronted infectious disease emergencies that threatened both human lives and the U.S. economy, and with the likelihood high that the Trump administration will be no exception, the U.S. government should strengthen its public health emergency preparedness now, … Read More
As FirstNet nears an award of a sizable contract to a private vendor to deploy a Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network, some states including New Hampshire, Colorado, Alabama and Arizona have explored alternative statewide networks to strengthen emergency communications. “Interoperability … Read More
More than 100 first responders in Chattanooga, Tennessee will board Norfolk Southern Corp.’s safety train this week, a state-of-the-art mobile classroom that prepares emergency workers to respond to potential rail incidents involving the shipment of hazardous materials. The train is … Read More
Unisys Corp. was recently awarded a contract by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to help the agency continue achieving its dual mission of facilitating the free travel of people through U.S. borders quickly while maintaining strong security. Unisys will … Read More
U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ) recently said that continuing to improve interoperability among first responders and ensuring that they have access to the best equipment and technology are his top goals. Payne, who serves as the ranking member of … Read More
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) unveiled a counterterrorism strategy on Tuesday that he said takes U.S. policies into the digital age of security, as threats from violent extremists continue to evolve with technology. McCaul’s plan was released … Read More
New York’s proposed cyber security regulations for banks and insurance companies – the first such policy in the nation – would create some uniformity between state and federal rules, but the American Bankers Association (ABA) said that it is seeking … Read More
More than 100 first responders gathered in New York this week for the state’s largest emergency response training exercise featuring realistic scenarios inspired by terrorist threats in the United States and abroad and utilizing the newest communications technology for law … Read More
The U.S. government has become “somewhat complacent” in preparing for potential bioterrorist attacks and needs to implement a national biodefense strategy, Daniel Gerstein, a senior policy researcher at the nonpartisan RAND Corporation, recently told Homeland Preparedness News. The anthrax attacks … Read More
Legislation that would require the United States to develop a national biodefense strategy to help prevent and respond to a bioterrorist attack or public health emergency is awaiting Senate floor action. The Biodefense Strategy Act of 2016, S. 2967, would … Read More
More federal counterterrorism funding should be directed to local law enforcement agencies for human intelligence initiatives in urban areas where the risk of a terrorist attack is high, according to Matt Mayer, a homeland security expert at the American Enterprise … Read More
U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) recently said that the challenges of protecting the state’s wild and rugged 611-mile border with Canada highlight the need for a tougher stance on border security from the U.S. administration. “It would be very easy … Read More
Ceragon Networks recently released a new wireless backhaul platform with enhanced security features that seeks to overcome what can at times be a major obstacle for public safety forces – access to a reliable and secure communications network. Ceragon’s FibeAir … Read More
In order to stem massive data breaches and strengthen cyber security, U.S. policymakers should reform laws to help make it easier for researchers to identify and address software bugs, according to a recent report from New America’s Open Technology Institute. … Read More
A major gap in international standards for biosafety in laboratories handling contagious pathogens potentially increases the risk that an accident could result in a disease outbreak that threatens global security, according to a recent study by the UPMC Center for … Read More
A disaster strikes a congested city, cell phone networks are overwhelmed and internet access is spotty. Nearly everyone has a mobile device in their pocket, but few can use them to communicate. San Francisco-based start-up OpenGarden, Inc., has a solution … Read More
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched a clinical trial this week for an experimental vaccine to prevent Zika virus infections, an effort that comes after local transmission of the virus hit a neighborhood in Florida. “Given the Zika situation … Read More
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) will hold its inaugural forum in the Southwest border region in August to engage with federal and regional public safety stakeholders about the communications challenges they face ahead of the deployment of a nationwide … Read More
The European Parliament has taken an important step toward protecting victims of potential biological, chemical and other types of terrorist attacks in the European Union with its new draft counterterrorism directive that is being negotiated this week. The European Parliament’s … Read More
With the goal of improving U.S. threat preparedness, U.S. Rep. Daniel Donovan (R-NY), who serves on the House Homeland Security Committee, recently introduced legislation to help fight potential terror attacks in urban areas and in cyberspace. Donovan recently introduced the … Read More
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates one of the busiest networks of aviation, ground, rail and seaport facilities in the nation, is preparing to deliver a new counter-terrorism and personal safety-training program for its employees. … Read More
With the world’s volume of stored data doubling each year, an opportunity exists for organizations across the globe to analyze that data and use it to add business value, particularly as it relates to defense and cybersecurity, according to Matthew … Read More
Tyco Integrated Security recently unveiled a high-tech security system at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport to help prevent costly exit lane security breaches and increase operational efficiency. “Airports will be able to save costs overall by using technology over manpower,” … Read More
More than 200 bomb technicians and first responders from five states and Canada came together this week to participate in what has become the biggest explosive public safety bomb squad training exercise in the world. Held in New York, the … Read More
Many U.S. mid-cap companies are struggling to defend themselves against cyber attacks, begging the question of what is the appropriate role the federal government should play in getting the private sector cyber ready, according to Michael Balboni, president of RedLand … Read More
The U.S. is woefully underprepared for potential bioterrorist attacks or naturally occurring pandemics like the Zika virus, and the federal government must do more to partner with the private sector in order to combat those threats, U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks … Read More
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) will continue to accept proposals from private partners for deployment of an innovative nationwide public safety broadband network until May 31, with the goal of making an award Nov. 1, the agency recently said. “FirstNet is … Read More
