First Responders
Bill introduced to reimburse states for COVID-related National Guard deployments
U.S. Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Tim Ryan (D-OH) introduced a bill that would require the federal government to cover the full cost of National Guard deployments for COVID-19 response efforts. A companion bill will be introduced in the Senate on Jan. 21 by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT). These are... Read More »
Agencies developing firefighter tracking technology
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has partnered with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA JPL) to develop firefighter tracking technology. The effort would allow first responders to locate team members in burning buildings more accurately.... Read More »
Damage to communications grid in Nashville bombing prompts questions of preparedness
The violent suicide bombing that rocked downtown Nashville, Tenn., on Christmas morning and devastated dozens of businesses in the area also exposed the difficulties with an American reliance on reactive, rather than proactive, emergency planning efforts. While much focus has been placed on... Read More »
DARPA division explores innovative night-vision goggle technology
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is exploring the development of next-generation night-vision goggle (NVG) technology. The Enhanced Night Vision in eyeglass form (ENVision) program allows the DSO seeks to create lightweight NVGs offering a... Read More »
CISA, NASCAR target Daytona 500 fan safety
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and NASCAR officials recently joined Daytona International Speedway personnel, first responders, and law enforcement officials in conducting a Daytona 500 fan safety tabletop exercise. The exercise serves as an example of the planning and... Read More »
Sen. Durbin urges rural EMS agencies to apply for SIREN Act funds
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) is encouraging communities to apply for Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act funds in support of fire and emergency medical services (EMS). “In many small and rural towns in Illinois and across the country, rural fire and EMS agencies are a lifeline in... Read More »
NY Assemblyman touts proposed state bill to enact co-prescription of naloxone
New York State Assemblyman John T. McDonald III (D) is co-sponsoring a bill that would enact co-prescription of an opioid and an opioid overdose reversal drug like naloxone in New York, following a trend of similar laws enacted in California, New Jersey, and nine other states. Co-prescription... Read More »
International Association of Firefighters applauds provisions included in 2021 NDAA
The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) is commending the inclusion of provisions benefiting IAFF members in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. “In a year when COVID-19 has been the primary focus of Congress, I am proud of yet another successful... Read More »
Rep. Bustos advocates for National Guard COVID-19 response funding
Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) has forwarded correspondence to President Donald Trump advocating for the full restoration of federal funding for the National Guard’s COVID-19 response efforts. Bustos said the funding allotment is slated to expire at the end of the year. “With the confirmed... Read More »
Indiana alliance combats substance abuse through Narcan awareness campaign
The Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress in Bartholomew County, Ind., is wrapping up a month-long series of events to educate residents about the life-saving effects of Narcan, a medicine used for the treatment of an opioid overdose emergency. Narcan, or the generic drug naloxone, is an opioid... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Ernst, Tillis advocate expanded service member COVID-19 testing
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) are encouraging the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct rapid antigen COVID-19 tests of military service members, their families, civilians, and contractors. The effort stems from aiding in detecting asymptomatic virus carriers while... Read More »
Ohio lawmakers request full federal funding for Ohio National Guard’s response to COVID-19
Ohio Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) are urging federal officials to support Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s request to restore and extend full federal funding for the Ohio National Guard’s COVID-19 response mission. Since the pandemic hit, approximately 2,000 members of the Ohio... Read More »
DHS issues RFI for night vision technologies for first responders
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is seeking commercial technologies to enable night vision for first responders. Interested parties should submit their products by 5:00 p.m. EST on Dec. 10 for inclusion in a market survey by S&T’s National... Read More »
San Francisco Police Department cites Naloxone success in reducing opioid overdoses
Naloxone hydrochloride kits — or Narcan kits for short — are helping the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) stem an increase in opioid-related overdose deaths. During the last five years, SFPD has partnered with the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the Harm Reduction... Read More »
Oregon lawmakers seek financial help from FEMA in fighting wildfires
Federal lawmakers from Oregon are requesting financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help offset the costs of fighting the wildfires. Specifically, they are asking FEMA to assume 100 percent of the cost share for debris removal and emergency protective... Read More »
Report says violent crime decreased in jurisdictions that enacted police reform
According to the Center for American Progress, an independent thinktank, violent crime rates dropped in 10 jurisdictions that enacted comprehensive police reform. The group analyzed violent crime rates in 10 jurisdictions where the police department fulfilled a reform agreement with the U.S.... Read More »
IAFC urges Congress to pass Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is urging Congress to pass legislation that would help protect and preserve retirement benefits for firefighters and emergency workers. The Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020 (H.R. 8696), introduced by Reps. Richard Neal (D-MA) and Kevin... Read More »
Erickson Aero Tanker of Oregon wins more than $70M federal contract for wildfire fighting air tankers
In the wake of wildfires that have devastated much of Oregon this year, Erickson Aero Tanker of Hillsboro, Ore., won a $70.5 million federal contract for large air tanker services to aid wildland firefighting both in-state and abroad. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) both... Read More »
FirstNet installs new cell sites in New Hampshire for first responders
FirstNet cell sites have been installed in several locations throughout New Hampshire to improve wireless communications for first responders. FirstNet is the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform for America’s first responders and the public safety community. It is... Read More »
Indian Health System providers teach community members how to use Naloxone
Members of the Indian Health Service, the Federal Health Program for American Indians, and Alaska Natives are working with members of their communities to reduce overdose deaths by improving access to Naloxone. Commander Robert Boyle, a clinical pharmacist at the Salt River Integrated Health... Read More »
National Guard wildfire readiness assessment sought
A group of lawmakers is seeking the National Guard’s assessment of wildfire readiness as a means of aiding states in preparing, fighting, and recovering from such occurrences. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) recently joined... Read More »
FirstNet bolsters first responder communications with new cell sites network enhancements across Florida
FirstNet announced a major expansion to its high-speed broadband communications platform for first responders this week, with additional cell sites and more than 2,000 other network enhancements tacked onto its Florida operations. These additions will include cell sites constructed for the Band... Read More »
Bill seeks to enhance first responder data
Reps. Susan Wild (D-PA) and Fred Keller (R-PA) introduced Wednesday a measure designed to address chronic miscounting of first responders, chiefly firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. The EMS Counts Act of 2020 would ensure the government’s nationwide collection of... Read More »
DHS expands first responders technology assessment
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T’s) Project 25 Compliance Assessment Program (P25 CAP) has initiated an effort to perform third-party first responder equipment assessments. The Department of Interior laboratory in Denver, Colorado, would... Read More »Sen. Tester introduces bill designed to help federal firefighters
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester introduced a bill that seeks to correct a longstanding disparity between federal firefighters and their state, local, and municipal counterparts. The Federal Firefighter Flexibility and Fairness Act would allow federal firefighters more flexibility in shift trades without... Read More »
FirstNet establishes Maryland cell site
Cecil County, Maryland officials said first responders there are recipients of a new, purpose-built FirstNet cell site - providing a boost in wireless communications. "This is great news for Earleville, Cecil County, and the surrounding areas,” Maryland State Sen. Steve Hershey (R-Dist. 36)... Read More »
DHS to evaluate first responder technology solutions
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Operational Experimentation (OpEx) Program has launched an effort to evaluate first responder technology solutions. The OpEx Program has released a Request for Information (RFI) with four Technical Topic Areas... Read More »
Senators call for greater federal assistance in battling western wildfires
In the aftermath of wildfires that devastated wide swaths of land and communities, senators wrote to President Donald Trump last week requesting additional federal aid for wildfire response efforts and to assist recovery. The senators requested quick increases to the number of fire personnel and... Read More »
DHS S&T seeking portable radio repeaters
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials said the agency has posted a request for information regarding portable radio repeater products. The initiative targets emergency responder community indoor and subterranean environments. S&T’s National... Read More »
GOP Senators introduce bill to create stiffer penalties for violence against law enforcement officers
A group of Republican Senators introduced a bill that would create federal penalties for individuals who deliberately target local, state, or federal law enforcement officers with violence. The Protect and Serve Act would make it a federal crime to knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, serious... Read More »
DOE unveils new Emergency Communications Network center in Las Vegas
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has introduced a new communication network that allows emergency responders to exchange secure real-time voice, data, and video information during nuclear or radiological emergencies. The Emergency Communications... Read More »
Senators to introduce bill to restore full funding to National Guard
A group of Democratic senators will introduce a bill to restore full federal funding for the National Guard so it can respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Aug. 3, President Donald Trump signed a memo terminating the 100 percent federal cost share with the National Guard that had been in effect... Read More »
FirstNet Board approves 2021 budget
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board has approved FirstNet’s $213 million budget for Fiscal Year 2021, acknowledging focus on the nationwide public safety broadband network’s operations and investments. “This budget provides steady funding for the FirstNet... Read More »
Sens. Portman, Peters introduce bill to promote production of PPE in US
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced a bill designed to promote the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United States. Specifically, the Make PPE in America Act would require the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to issue long-term contracts for... Read More »