Through introduction of the ITS Codification Act (S. 3781) earlier this month, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sought to codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) and improve the nation’s emergency communication technology.
“It’s critical that... Read More »
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and its network partner, AT&T, recently announced the next phase of its public safety broadband network, with 5G upgrades, coverage enhancements and service updates spurred by more than $8 billion of investments.
Those investments will... Read More »
Through the Fallen Law Enforcement Act introduced this week, U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and John Cornyn (R-TX) seek to strengthen penalties for attacks on law enforcement across the board.
The bill would require death penalties or life imprisonment imposed on anyone... Read More »
After an initial five-year buildout, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board recently voted to invest further into the public safety broadband network, expanding and fully transitioning it to a fully 5G network.
“The FirstNet Authority is making a major investment in... Read More »
In a bid to protect firefighters from fire-related hazards, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened applications for the 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program this week, dangling $324 million for safety measures.
“As a former firefighter, I know the hazards and... Read More »
March 6th & 7th, 2024 - Miami Beach Convention Center
Homeland Preparedness News has announced collaboration with Disasters Expo USA, the leading event mitigating the world’s most costly disasters, curated for professionals looking to source the solutions helping our communities prepare,... Read More »
For Law Enforcement Appreciation Day this week, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a 2024 Law Enforcement Resource Guide for state, local, tribal, territorial and campus law enforcement to check for training and resource support.
It was the third annual release of... Read More »
Following up on a letter from June that requested additional support for tribal law enforcement agencies in South Dakota, federal lawmakers from the state last week urged Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to coordinate those resource issues with other federal departments.
U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds... Read More »
With the introduction of the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act this week, five senators sought to increase the information that can be supplied about anti-police attacks and explore their impacts on officers’ mental health.
According to the group, it would... Read More »
Among the items that were included in the final version of the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) last week was $676 million in funding for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), providing millions in coverage support for responders to the 9/11 aftermath.
The... Read More »
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) awarded $3.15 million to the Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute at the University of Illinois to develop Next Generation 911 interoperability testing.
NG911 systems allow for interconnection among... Read More »
In introducing the Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services (SAVES) Act this week, U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Norma Torres (D-CA) sought to reclassify 9-1-1 dispatchers as first responders.
Otherwise, the bill would not change anything about these dispatchers’ work or the... Read More »
In a letter to the House Appropriation Committee this week, U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) urged leadership to include funding for first responder aid programs in any FY 2024 supplemental appropriations to support those affected by immigration.
“Increased operations... Read More »
Following meetings with more than 35 law enforcement and community leaders nationwide, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) this week released recommendations to reverse challenges facing recruitment and retention at law enforcement agencies nationwide.
The causes are many. In its... Read More »
For a mix of active shooter training, efforts to counter illegal drug trafficking and law enforcement mental health and wellness training, the U.S. Justice Department Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) awarded nearly $75 million to agencies nationwide last week.
While the... Read More »
Through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) last week announced an award of more than $30 million for first responders and the bolstering of local responses to hazardous materials incidents.
In all, six grants split up... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced legislation on Tuesday that would provide investments for a grant program meant to help train and provide resources to first responders working to prevent overdose deaths.
The Safe Response Act, S.... Read More »
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) last week approved its Fiscal Year 2024 budget, allocating $451 million to fund operations and consider network improvements.
“This budget positions the FirstNet Authority for continued growth and success as we implement our... Read More »
As some branches of the U.S. Armed Forces are coming up short in their recruitment efforts, officials are looking at creative ways to connect students with recruitment officers, as well as programs that increase the likelihood students are prepared to pass rigorous military entrance... Read More »
The Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act (H.R. 3389) passed the last of its hurdles in the House this week, advancing out of the chamber on a bipartisan vote and raising the potential that firefighters may soon gain increased assets for wildfire emergencies.
Originally introduced by U.S.... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) recently introduced the Law Enforcement Scenario-Based Training for Safety and De-Escalation Act (S.4847), which would require the Department of Justice to create a new training curriculum.
This curriculum would, as the name implies, be... Read More »
Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit completed training in Reno, Nevada, Aug. 24 to conduct U.S. Embassy reinforcement and noncombatant evacuation operation missions.
The training was supported by the U.S. Department of State advisors at U.S. Army National Guard Base... Read More »
In order to fund operations throughout Fiscal Year 2024 and pursue network upgrades, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board last week approved a $451 million budget package.
This included $95 million for an operating budget, $95 million for reserves and $261 million for... Read More »
With wildfires more aggressive than ever, and climate change threatening worse to come, a bicameral collection of lawmakers introduced the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act (H.R. 5169) this week to boost recruitment, retention and well-being of federal firefighters.
Chief sponsor of... Read More »
A total of $50 million in awards will be split between 33 states and jurisdictions as an Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)-led effort to build up the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) network.
Such was the end result of the first-ever, competitive state, territory and... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) introduced the Fair Pay for Federal Firefighters Act (H.R. 4831) last week, offering a base pay raise for federal firefighters as a stopgap against U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pay cuts caused by lack of funds.
“Our firefighters... Read More »
U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Coons (D-DE) recently introduced legislation equipping law enforcement officers with trauma kits to respond if a civilian or officer experiences traumatic injury.
The American Law Enforcement Sustaining Aid... Read More »
Through introduction of the bipartisan Protecting Firefighters and Advancing State-of-the-Art Alternatives Act (PFAS Alternatives Act), several federal lawmakers recently proposed authorizing $25 million annually through 2028 to support development of new materials, guidance and training for... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), John Barrasso (R-WY), Steve Daines (R-MT), Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Jon Tester (D-MT) recently introduced the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act (S.2272), which would equitably address Wildlands firefighter compensation... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) are espousing the benefits of legislation that improves hiring and increase retention of tribal law enforcement officers.
The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act, which would also better protect native communities... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) has joined three colleagues to introduce legislation that would provide affordable housing incentives for volunteer firefighters and first responders.
The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act was introduced by Capito with U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI),... Read More »
Concerned about a spike of crime on reservations in their region, United States Sens. John Thune, Mike Rounds and Dusty Johnson (all R-SD) wrote to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland this week requesting additional Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) support for tribal law enforcement agencies.
They... Read More »
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently opened the TSA Academy West in Las Vegas, Nev., with a ribbon cutting event attended by TSA Administrator David Pekoske.
“The TSA Academy West expands our ability to train our new officers in an airport environment and provides them... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) joined 10 colleagues in forwarding correspondence to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs regarding wildland firefighter recruitment and retention.
"We urge the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA) have introduced legislation that would help local governments improve natural disaster response through enhanced training.
The lawmakers recently detailed the Emergency Management Support Act (H.R. 3626). It ensures local... Read More »