First Responders
House Invest to Protect Act urges $50M investment into smaller police departments
Backed by various law enforcement organizations and bipartisan appeal, U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and John Rutherford (R-FL) – together with 36 cosponsors – introduced the Invest to Protect Act of 2022 last week to support local police. The House bill seeks critical investments into... Read More »
Invest in Law Enforcement Act seeks funds for smaller police departments
A new bill introduced by U.S. Reps. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and John Rutherford (R-FL) would provide $50 million in grants for small police departments to invest in training, equipment, personnel support, and mental health resources. “Now more than ever, we need to make... Read More »
Bill seeks to address boosts in rural law enforcement hiring, compensation
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a measure that seeks to increase the hiring and compensation of rural law enforcement officers. U.S. Reps. Tom Rice (R-SC) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) recently joined 10 colleagues in introducing the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) on the... Read More »
Rep. Higgins announces SAFER grants to improve local fire department staffing
Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) recently detailed the application process for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants, noting the effort seeks to bolster local fire department staffing. Higgins said the application period is now open, and the deadline is Feb. 4, 2022, before 5... Read More »
New York National Guard, NYS Department of Health partner to bolster EMT numbers
In an effort to boost the number of EMTs available to New York during any winter surges of COVID-19, a new training partnership began last week between the New York State Department of Health and the New York National Guard. While Gov. Kathy Hochul had already deployed 60 National Guard medical... Read More »
National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 passes with provisions for addressing PFAS spills
The $770 billion Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA; S. 1605) was signed into law last week, and among its many provisions were funding for addressing both Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination throughout the United States. This will take the form of new... Read More »
Senators request USGS plans, funding needs for earthquake warning system
A collection of West Coast-based senators wrote to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) last week in pursuit of its plans and funding needs regarding the nearly 70 percent completed West Coast Early Earthquake Warning System. Recognizing that most of the way there is significantly... Read More »
DOJ awards $1.6 billion in grants to reduce violent crime
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is awarding $1.6 billion in grants to support programs designed to reduce violent crime while strengthening communities. “The Department of Justice is committed to supporting our state and local partners to combat crime across the country,” Attorney General... Read More »
Marine Corps conduct field training exercise in Japan
Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) personnel recently conducted Resolute Dragon 21, the largest bilateral field training exercise, which was executed in Japan. The exercise involved over 4,000 troops from 3d Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF’s... Read More »
California Gov. Newsom introduces plan to reduce crime in state
California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled an enhanced public safety plan this week that looks to combat and prevent crime statewide. The Real Public Safety Plan, in conjunction with local law enforcement, focuses on improving law enforcement response, ensuring prosecutors hold perpetrators... Read More »
Johns Hopkins report cites failure to integrate primary care providers into COVID-19 response as missed opportunity
A new report released by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security this week determined that the failure to incorporate primary care providers into the frontline response to COVID-19 and the larger public health system could have improved care, testing, and vaccination acceptance. In... Read More »
Senate Homeland Security Committee holds hearing on PFAS contamination
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing recently to examine the harmful impacts of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at military sites. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) convened the hearing after a Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector... Read More »
Officials applaud $4.2M in law enforcement grants
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) recently joined first responders in recognizing a pair of achievements they said would aid police and fire personnel. The group celebrated the signing into law of Pascrell’s Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021 (PAFRA), a measure that improves... Read More »
Bipartisan group of senators pushes amendment to formally authorize National Guard Fireguard program
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced this week an amendment that would formally authorize the National Guard’s Fireguard program and alter its year-by-year approval structure to a more certain, five-year authorization. The senators argued... Read More »
Feinstein bill seeks to improve National Guard emergency response efforts
A bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) would provide states with added flexibility to allow members of the National Guard to respond to emergencies. Specifically, the bill would allow full-time Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) National Guard members with the ability to respond to... Read More »
DHS funds target interoperable messaging capabilities
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) recently awarded funds to a firm to advance first responder interoperable messaging capabilities. The $1,545,286.03 allotment to Mobility 4 Public Safety (M4PS) would aid in developing the Bridge 4 Public... Read More »
Rep. Katko introduces legislation countering anti-police attitudes
U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) announced Monday that he has introduced legislation to strengthen public safety and counter anti-police sentiment. The Stop Enabling Repeat Violence and Endangering (SERVE) Our Communities Act would provide incentives for states to adopt policies that would hold... Read More »
FirstNet announces milestone of more than 2.8M connections
FirstNet, which officials have deemed public safety's network built to strict specifications and requirements, is touting over 2.8 million nationwide connections through 18,500 public safety agencies. "In less than five years, we've built a network with and for America's first responders and... Read More »
POWER Act would provide law enforcement grants to purchase drug detection devices
Reckoning with rising cases of overdose throughout the United States, a bicameral reintroduction of the POWER Act was announced last week, which proposes new U.S. Department of Justice-provided grants to help law enforcement procure better drug detection devices. POWER, or Providing Officers... Read More »
Senate bill introduced to legally shield disaster relief medical volunteers
A group of United States senators last week reintroduced an effort to update the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 and extend legal protections for medical volunteers working in federally-recognized disaster relief efforts. Authored by U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and... Read More »
HHS tabs Emory University for disaster healthcare demonstration
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials said the agency has selected Emory University to lead the latest Regional Disaster Health Response System site. HHS noted Emory University is the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response's (ASPR) fourth site selected to... Read More »
Northam announces infrastructure upgrades to support nitrile glove project
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday that his state’s pledge to invest $8.5 million in infrastructure upgrades to Progress Park was a catalyst for a manufacturing venture to commit to building an operating center in the area. The joint venture would build a manufacturing operation in... Read More »
DHS addresses law enforcement best practices
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials said the agency has formed the Law Enforcement Coordination Council (LECC) to assess varied law enforcement matters -- including its law enforcement policies and training. “Law enforcement is a noble profession," DHS Secretary Alejandro N.... Read More »
Sen. Peters convenes natural disaster emergency management hearing
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, convened a hearing Wednesday to examine the country’s preparedness to deal with worsening natural disasters like floods, severe storms and wildfires. Witnesses, and committee members discussed... Read More »
NDAA to include 9-1-1 dispatcher reclassification
Legislation reclassifying 9-1-1 dispatchers from Office and Administrative Support to Protective Service Occupations was approved last week by the U.S. House of Representatives as an amendment in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), according to lawmakers. U.S. Reps.... Read More »
DOJ awards nearly $187M for community safety
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday that its Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), part of the department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), had awarded nearly $187 million to support public safety and community justice activities. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Feinstein, Padilla push for $7.7 billion in wildfire recovery funds
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) urged Senate leadership to include a minimum of $7.7 billion and targeted tax relief in the disaster supplemental funding package requested by the State of California to respond and recover from the 2021 wildfire season. “California is... Read More »
DHS S&T soliciting JamX 22 exercise participation
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials said the agency is seeking participants for the 2022 First Responder Electronic Jamming Exercise (JamX 22). There has been a Request for Information (RFI) issued for the endeavor at White Sands Missile... Read More »
Funds target World Trade Center health program for first responders
U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) is touting the inclusion of $2.86 billion for the 9/11 World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program in the Build Back Better Act. Officials said the funds would be included in the Energy and Commerce Committee’s portion of the measure, which is slated to be... Read More »
Davis, LaHood announce 183d wing base project as part of National Defense Authorization Act
U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) announced Friday that their request for a Illinois National Guard project will be included in the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA passed out of the House Armed Services Committee with a bipartisan 57-2 vote, and... Read More »
House Armed Services Committee advances bill to give D.C. mayor control over D.C. National Guard
In a national first, the House Armed Services Committee voted last week in favor of a bill that would grant the mayor of the District of Columbia authority over the D.C. National Guard, adding that provision to the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. Since its inception, the D.C. National... Read More »
California roundtable addresses federal wildfire assistance efforts
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) recently hosted local leaders in Santa Rosa, Calif., during a roundtable discussion regarding wildfire prevention, response and recovery efforts. The discussion and listening session stemmed from the White House's approval of Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request for a... Read More »
Air Force selects Cyber Warfare Wing site
Air Force officials said the military branch has selected Ohio’s Mansfield-Lahm Air National Guard Base as the preferred venue for a new Cyber Warfare Wing mission. Officials said the transformation would support Air Combat Command’s future requirements -- resulting in operational mission... Read More »
DHS exploring crowd count, analysis technology
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials said the agency is exploring the use of technology to aid with crowd count and analysis. Officials cited the potential to prevent delayed, inadequate, or misplaced responses to crowds in detailing a request... Read More »