First Responders
DHS S&T collaborates with Beacon NGO to broaden reach of incident command system
A new, joint effort between the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the nonprofit Beacon NGO will seek to build upon S&T’s Next-Generation Incident Command System (NICS) and pitch it to a larger emergency response community. To achieve... Read More »
NENA unveils new NG9-1-1 standard
The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) announced this week the organization's approval of a new version of its Next Generation 9-1-1 standard. The action would aid the process of accelerating the transition to faster emergency response, detailing NG9-1-1 infrastructure updates that... Read More »
DHS awards nearly $1M for Texas-based small business efforts to secure emergency multimedia content
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this week awarded $997,526 to SecureLogix, a San Antonio, Texas-based small business, for Next Generation 9-1-1 technology meant to help secure data during emergencies. Data, in this case, refers to text, images, video, and traditional voice calls... Read More »
NIST awards nearly $3M to commercialize public safety communications system
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded $2.99 million in grant funding for new interoperable public safety communication systems. Initially funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology... Read More »
FirstNet expands public safety access to more than 100 portable cell sites
The FirstNet network expanded the number of unthrottled, deployable network assets for fire, EMS, law enforcement, and other public safety personnel to more than 100 land-based and airborne portable cell sites as of last week. “When disaster strikes, FirstNet is there to support first... Read More »
Legislation seeks to bolster nation’s wildfire policy
Three legislators recently introduced legislation designed to enhance national wildfire policy by establishing a commission of federal and non-federal stakeholders addressing prevention and mitigation. U.S. Sens. Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) joined Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) in... Read More »
Bill targets law enforcement cybercrime prevention
U.S. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently reintroduced a measure designed to provide law enforcement with resources to enhance cybercrime combating initiatives. The International Cybercrime Prevention Act would update... Read More »
FEMA, FCC plan nationwide Emergency Alert Test for Aug. 11
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) at 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 11. The WEA portion of the test will be sent only... Read More »
DHS offers funding for research, development of first responder technology
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced this week that funding opportunities are available for research and development into 10 new first responder technology areas. To that end, the agency is seeking documents from industry, academia,... Read More »
DHS S&T Evaluates Wildfire Sensors with California Emergency Responders
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced Thursday that it had successfully tested early wildfire detection technology prototypes this week in California. Conducted during a controlled, prescribed burn at the Dye Creek Preserve near Red... Read More »
Reps. Pascrell, Fitzpatrick, Bost introduce fire station construction legislation
On Monday, U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Michael Bost (R-IL), co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, introduced legislation that would help fire departments build and upgrade their facilities. The Fire Station Construction Grants Act would... Read More »
Bill addresses improved police training
A group of lawmakers recently reintroduced the Law Enforcement Training For Mental Health Crisis Response Act, which was designed to improve police training best practices. The legislation was presented by U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan (D-OH), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Stephanie Bice... Read More »
Rep. Pascrell authors first responder bill
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.), co-chair of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, urged Congress to support a bill that would increase the benefits to first responders who die or are injured in the line of duty. The bill, H.R. 2936, or the Protecting America’s First Responders Act... Read More »
Legislation introduced in House to protect federal judges, law enforcement and public safety officers
U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE), Bill Johnson (R-OH), and Steve Stivers (R-OH) joined Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) Tuesday to introduce legislation that would give greater protections to federally funded public service officers. The Back the Blue Act creates new criminal provisions for killing,... Read More »
Measure seeks to bolster National Guard cybersecurity
U.S. Reps. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) introduced legislation last week to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity by enabling governors to decide how the National Guard responds to cybersecurity threats. The National Guard Cybersecurity Support Act would enhance states' readiness and... Read More »
Bill bolsters first responder injury, death benefits
Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) and Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) recently reintroduced a measure they said would enhance benefits for first responders injured or killed in the line of duty and their families. The Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021 would improve the Department of... Read More »
Reps. Fitzpatrick, Pascrell lead coalition demanding funding of police bulletproof vests
U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) join 26 members of the House to seek federal funding of the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant Program. The grant program would provide $30 million in FY 2022 to help state and local law enforcement purchase... Read More »Bipartisan group of U.S. representatives support police funding initiative
A group of lawmakers recently requested increased funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. U.S. Reps. John Rutherford (R-FL) and Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), co-chairs of the House Law... Read More »
U.S. senators request GAO review of wildlands firefighter workforce
A group of senators recently requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) assess federal firefighter hiring and retention at five agencies responsible for wildland fire management. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in forwarding correspondence to... Read More »
DOJ releases $58M to combat Illicit drugs, improve officer wellness
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday that its Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has released approximately $58 million in grant solicitations to advance community policing, combat opioid and methamphetamine use, and promote the health and safety of law... Read More »
Sens. Collins, Carper introduce legislation securing federal firefighter benefits for disease contracted in line of duty
U. S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tom Carper (D-DE), co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, introduced legislation Monday to ensure federal firefighters receive financial benefits if they contract a disease in the line of duty. The Federal Firefighter Fairness Act of 2021 would... Read More »
Bipartisan, bicameral legislation seeks to support federal firefighters
Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jon Tester (D-MT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) reintroduced legislation last week designed to support federal firefighters by correcting disparity between federal firefighters and state, local and municipal... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee advances seven bills
The House Committee on Homeland Security advanced seven pieces of legislation this week, including bills that would secure critical infrastructure networks, enhance air travel safety during COVID-19 and future pandemics, improve information sharing, and support first responders. One of the bills... Read More »
Bill seeks to create federal penalties for criminals targeting law enforcement
Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) joined 16 colleagues to introduce this week legislation designed to create federal penalties for individuals deliberately targeting local, state, or federal law enforcement officers with violence. The Protect and Serve Act would make it a federal crime to knowingly cause,... Read More »
American 9-1-1 centers signal unease over “wasteful” provisions of LIFT America funding bill
While thankful for the support for system upgrades the newly introduced House LIFT America Act demonstrates, American 9-1-1 groups are concerned that elements of it could prove wasteful and delay and complicate deployment of a Next Generation 9-1-1 nationwide. “The infrastructure bill is a... Read More »Stimulus bill includes funding for Fire/EMS, group says
According to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the American Recovery and Rescue Act being voted on in Congress this week contains significant funding for fire and emergency medical personnel. The act passed the U.S. House of Representatives in late February and passed the... Read More »
First responders garner QuickRoute Mobile app access
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials said first responders now have access to the QuickRoute Mobile app, which aids with routing challenges. “First responders now have a commercially-available navigational tool which takes into... Read More »
Sens. Klobuchar, Burr reintroduce legislation focusing on communications networks during natural disasters
U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Richard Burr (R-NC) reintroduced legislation designed to improve communications networks during natural disasters Wednesday. The Emergency Reporting Act would ensure the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provided resources to state and local governments... Read More »
Bill targets firefighter PFAS chemical exposure
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has introduced a bill designed to better protect firefighters in New York and nationwide from toxic exposure to PFAS chemicals. PFAS are used as an ingredient in special foam used to fight fires, called aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). The use of the foam,... Read More »
Bipartisan bill would extend concealed carry privileges for law enforcement officers
Bipartisan legislation was introduced in this House of Representatives this week that would extend concealed carry privileges for qualified retired and active law enforcement officials. The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) Reform Act (H.R. 1210) would allow active and retired law... Read More »
DHS technology aids wildland firefighters
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) personnel are touting Team Awareness Kit (TAK) utilization - a training tool aiding California firefighters in wildland response efforts. The mobile application harnesses wildfire situational awareness data and DHS... Read More »
Bill introduced in Senate to protect firefighters from harmful substances
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced legislation to help protect the health and safety of firefighters and emergency responders from adverse substances. The Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act directs federal agencies to develop best practices, training, and... Read More »
Rep. Stauber introduces bill to fund better training for police officers
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) reintroduced legislation designed to fund better training for police officers. Further, the Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere (JUSTICE) Act would increase the number of body cameras and provide grants to police departments to help... Read More »
Bipartisan bill seeks to restore full retirement benefits to federal first responders hurt on job
A bipartisan bill was introduced in Congress to ensure that federal firefighters, law enforcement officials, Border Patrol officers, and other federal first responders qualify for full retirement benefits if they are injured on the job. The First Responder Fair RETIRE Act addresses inequities... Read More »