First Responders
Bipartisan Senate push yields Wildfire Emergency Act to address western wildfires
Seeking to increase preparedness for wildfires and reduce the risks they pose, a bipartisan group of senators this week introduced the Wildfire Emergency Act, using it to push for funding, new programs, and greater firefighter training efforts. “Wildfires throughout Western states,... Read More »
North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs secures FEMA SAFER grant funds
The North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs (NCAFC) has received a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. The two-year, $839,380 funding allotment would support firefighter recruitment and retention. The NCAFC is partnering... Read More »
U.S. Fire Administration report highlights national fire threat, new strategy to combat it
Through an Executive Summary of the U.S. Fire Administrator’s report, released this week, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has put out both a warning of the dangers posed by growing wildfire issues and a series of recommendations and strategies for fighting back. The USFA is a component of... Read More »
NIST creates new yeast-based reference material for biothreat training
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a reference material based on baker’s yeast cells – a harmless yet living biological material – that they intend to use for training first responders on biothreats. “Suspicious powder incidents occur... Read More »
DHS S&T details gunshot detection technology
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently announced a collaboration with Shooter Detection Systems (SDS) based in Rowly, Mass., which resulted in the development of SDS Outdoor, a portable Gunshot Detection System technology to aid law... Read More »
PEACE Act represents bicameral push to reform federal police standards for use of lethal force
Particularly in the last few years, across several high-profile cases, police in the United States have come under heavy scrutiny for their use of force, and recently, a bill known as the PEACE Act was introduced to reform federal standards permitting the use of lethal force. Released as a... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Peters promotes support for renewing, increasing support for local fire department
In a tour of local fire stations, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) used this week as an opportunity to promote new legislation that would renew federal grants programs supporting local fire departments in Michigan and beyond and expand their capabilities. “Firefighters put their lives on the line... Read More »
New York legislation targets violent crimes against police officers
New York state officials are touting a newly enacted measure that addresses violent crimes against police officers. Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed S.772A/A.6318B to establish a Blue Alert system aiding the identification, location, and apprehension of individuals suspected of killing or... Read More »
North Carolina fire department orders all-electric fire truck
The Charlotte, N.C., Fire Department recently announced that it has ordered an all-electric Vector fire truck, expected to be the first-of-its-kind operating in the state. The order was placed with fire apparatus manufacturer Spartan Emergency Response, a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc. “We... Read More »
Sen. Padilla applauds passage of FIRE Act
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) recently touted the passage of his legislation, the FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency (FIRE) Act, which now heads to the president's desk for signature. The measure was co-sponsored by six Senate colleagues and is designed to strengthen Federal Emergency... Read More »
PFAS Act to be signed into law, enshrining new protections for firefighters and emergency responders
With its passage in the House last week, the Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act cleared its final legislative hurdle after having passed the Senate last summer. If President Joe Biden signs the bills as expected, it will require federal agencies to create best practices,... Read More »
FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs sign law enforcement enhancement agreement
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) have signed an agreement to improve law enforcement in Indian Country. “The FBI is committed to ongoing, and continued collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said. “The... Read More »
FirstNet highlights Rhode Island first responder connectivity
First Responder Network (FirstNet) officials are espousing the benefits of delivering more coverage and boosting capacity for Rhode Island first responders and the communities they serve. Authorities noted FirstNet, built with AT&T, serves as the only nationwide, high-speed broadband... Read More »
Democratic, bicameral legislators praise FIRE Act advancement in House
U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) applauded the recent House of Representatives advancement of the FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency (FIRE) Act, which seeks to improve wildfire preparedness and... Read More »
Rep. Norcross touts community policing funding allocation
U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) is commending a Department of Justice (DOJ) allocation of $201,480 to Camden County to fund local community policing initiatives in south Jersey. The grant, awarded through the DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, would provide... Read More »
FirstNet touts enhanced Oklahoma first responder connectivity
First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) officials are espousing the benefits of efforts resulting in bolstered connectivity capacity for Oklahoma first responders and the communities they serve. FirstNet, which AT&T built nationwide, is a high-speed broadband communications platform... Read More »
House Fire Grants and Safety Act would reauthorize, upgrade local fire departments
Building on companion legislation in the Senate, a new bill introduced into the House last week seeks to boost federal resources for local fire departments throughout the United States and reauthorize existing funds for staffing, equipment, training, and emergency services. The Fire Grants and... Read More »
DHS S&T awards $1.9M contract to G&H International to help FEMA create standardized community disaster resources
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is looking to revamp the Community Lifeline Construct program to better standardize and integrate community resources systems, and it’s using a more than $1.9 million contract with G&H International Services, Inc. to achieve it. G&H will design,... Read More »
New York State, New York City announce police and mental health efforts to address transit crime
A series of expanded initiatives for the New York City subways were announced last week as part of a joint effort between the State of New York and New York City to crack down on transit crime through traditional law enforcement means and community psychiatric care. This will equate to a massive... Read More »
Reps. Gottheimer, Rutherford advocate for Senate vote on Invest to Protect Act
In the wake of the House of Representatives advancing the Invest to Protect Act, U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and John Rutherford (R-FL) are urging a Senate vote on the measure. The legislators recently forwarded correspondence to Senate leadership urging them to bring their bill to the... Read More »
Homeland Security Investigations launches Operation Boiling Point to target organized theft
A new effort to crackdown on organized retail crime put domestic and transnational criminal organizations in the crosshairs of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) this week, with the beginning of Operation Boiling Point. Working alongside industry partners, as well as federal, state, and... Read More »
Delaware to invest nearly $1M into security enhancements for public and charter schools
All 19 of Delaware’s public school districts and charter schools will benefit from a nearly $1 million investment effort from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) to improve school mapping, threat assessment and reporting applications. These efforts are meant to strengthen school... Read More »
New York State spreads $9 million in federal homeland security grants across 77 communities
Thanks to funds from the State Homeland Security Program, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced this week that $9 million of federal funds would aid 77 communities in the pursuit of equipment, training, critical infrastructure security and more. "New York's homeland security capabilities will be... Read More »
Legislation seeks to strengthen EMS support
U.S. Reps. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Cindy Axne (D-IA), Mike Carey (R-OH), Al Lawson (D-FL), Bruce Westerman (R-AR), and Marc Veasey (D-TX) recently introduced the Supporting Our First Responders Act, which seeks to enhance emergency medical services (EMS) agency support. The... Read More »
Senate advances legislation to expand FEMA preparedness capacity to assist with technological hazards
While much of what the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deals with are natural disasters, a new bill – the Technological Hazards Preparedness and Training Act (S.4166) – advanced through the Senate last week seeks to expand its ability to address technological hazards as... Read More »
Firefighter training legislation receives Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing
U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Steve Daines (R-MT) are commending a recent Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing regarding the Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act, which seeks to address more firefighter training. The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture and... Read More »
Committee advances measure bolstering support of local fire departments across United States
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) recently applauded the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for advancing their legislation increasing federal for local fire departments nationwide. The Fire Grants and Safety Act reauthorizes Federal Emergency Management... Read More »
Federal Public Health Emergency declared for Florida as Hurricane Ian descends
Facing down a Category 3 Hurricane Ian, fresh off its stormy crash through Cuba, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a Public Health Emergency for Florida this week, following an emergency declaration from President Joe Biden. As... Read More »
BARDA, Johns Hopkins to collaborate on medical resource-tracking, communication application
A new application envisioned by the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) will seek to create a means of effective communication during mass casualty incidents. In collaboration, the two... Read More »
U.S. House advances police department funding measure
The U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 22 advanced bipartisan legislation that seeks to fund local police departments and help reduce crime. The Invest to Protect Act of 2022, H.R. 6448, was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and has 86 cosponsors. It would establish a new grant... Read More »
DHS deploys Ford Mustang Mach-E battery electric vehicle for law enforcement
With the debut this week of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shook up the law enforcement sector with a first-of-its-kind electric vehicle (EV). The vehicle, fitted to tackle the particular challenges of law enforcement, also made DHS the first federal... Read More »
Legislation targets increased support for local fire departments
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI) recently introduced the Fire Grants and Safety Act, which seeks to bolster nationwide federal support for local fire departments. Specifically, the legislation reauthorizes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant programs local fire... Read More »
Bill seeks to improve information sharing for missing persons on federal lands
U.S. Reps. Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Tim Burchett (R-TN) introduced a bill they said seeks to improve information-sharing efforts for missing persons on federal lands. The Tracking and Reporting Absent Community-members Everywhere (TRACE) Act would enhance information sharing efforts by making a... Read More »
Senate advances Coast Guard Authorization Act
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has advanced the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Subcommittee on Oceans Chair Tammy Baldwin... Read More »