First Responders
Bill addresses federal police, first responder full compensation
U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Don Bacon (R-NE), Val Demings (D-FL), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently introduced legislation that seeks to ensure federal police and first responders are paid full compensation earned. The Law Enforcement Officer Fair Retirement Act enables officers to... Read More »
DHS S&T aiding indoor mapping capability development
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is funding the development of a cloud-based capability aiding digital indoor mapping capability. Collaboration with Waterloo, Ontario-based Mappedin Inc. yielded Mappedin Response, which enables first... Read More »
Sens. Booker, Durbin introduce VICTIM Act in effort to increase rates of solved murder cases
Taking up a law enforcement-focused bill first introduced by U.S. Rep. Val Demings (D-FL), U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced a companion to the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act this week. Backed by both police groups... Read More »
NIST challenge targets advancement in incident command dashboard tech
The U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced plans to launch a competition seeking to advance incident command dashboard technologies aiding emergency response. The Command Dashboard Integrating Next-Gen or CommanDING, Tech Challenge would unite... Read More »
DHS awards vehicle alerting technology contract
Corner Alliance, Inc., has secured a $100,000 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) contract award to aid first responder driver emergency alerts on roads. S&T is collaborating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Integrated Public Alert... Read More »
Federal Firefighter Fairness Act advances out of Senate committee
An effort to net federal firefighters financial support for illnesses and diseases acquired from their duties – the Federal Firefighter Fairness Act – was advanced by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) this week. “Every day across the country,... Read More »
Bills target wildfire response, recovery
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced two bills seeking to support efforts in California and nationwide to extinguish fires faster. The Fire Suppression Improvement Act would also protect communities from post-fire flooding and expand Federal Emergency Management... Read More »
Senate panel advances federal firefighter benefits legislation
U.S. Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are commending the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) for advancing legislation aiding the federal firefighter benefits platform. Carper and Collins, co-chairs of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus,... Read More »
Measure seeks to address police department staffing shortages
U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) recently joined nine colleagues in co-sponsoring a bill to address nationwide police staffing shortages. The Pathways to Policing Act invests in programs to aid state and local law enforcement agencies struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels by... Read More »
Measure seeks to strengthen firefighting efforts for federal weather service
U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) recently introduced a bill that seeks to enhance federal weather service firefighting efforts. The Fire Ready Nation Act of 2022 would create a fire weather services program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration... Read More »
FirstNet, NIST initiate public safety virtual experience center
First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) officials are espousing the launch of the Public Safety Immersive Test Center in Boulder, Colo. Authorities indicated the effort would nurture the development and deployment of... Read More »
NNSA, agencies detail radiological incident exercise
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is slated to join over 30 local, state, and federal agencies to conduct a major radiological incident exercise during the week of May 16-20. The Austin, Texas-centered Cobalt Magnet 22 exercise, spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DOE),... Read More »
House advances fire investigation enhancing measure
U.S. Reps. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Peter Meijer (R-MI), and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) recently applauded the House of Representatives' advancement legislation that seeks to bolster federal efforts to assist with major fire investigations. The Empowering the U.S. Fire... Read More »
Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus endorses two bills to enhance funding for law enforcement
For National Police Week this year, the Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed the Invest to Protect Act of 2022 and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), which pledge to increase federal investment into recruitment and retention efforts at police departments nationwide. COPS is a part of... Read More »
Justice Department details CPD, collaborative reform funding allotments
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said approximately $40 million has been earmarked for Community Policing Development (CPD) grants, in addition to $5 million being allocated for the Collaborative Reform Initiative. “Nothing is more important than keeping our communities safe,” Associate... Read More »
Funds earmarked for Delaware law enforcement initiatives
Delaware officials are touting $4.2 million in federal funding earmarked for law enforcement initiatives to improve transparency, reduce violence and bolster mental health services. Gov. John Carney recently joined U.S. Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Chris Coons (D-DE), and U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt... Read More »
DHS completes jamming exercise to strengthen first responder communications
During the last week in April, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) hosted the JamX 22 exercise to further resilience to signal jamming threats for federal and first responders.... Read More »FirstNet expands network indoor coverage services
FirstNet Authority Board has approved an investment to expand network coverage services through small-cell technologies, which would bolster FirstNet indoor operations. The FirstNet Authority is an independent Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration... Read More »
Homeland Security Department issues RFI for vehicle extrication tools
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) recently issued a vehicle extrication tools request for information (RFI). The agency is seeking commercially available vehicle extrication tools... Read More »
NIST initiates First Responder UAS Indoor Challenge
The Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has launched a new competition they said seeks to advance first responder use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The First Responder UAS Indoor Challenge would enhance first responder indoor search and rescue... Read More »
DOJ launches National Law Enforcement Knowledge Lab
The U.S. Department of Justice launched the National Law Enforcement Knowledge Lab, a resource hub for law enforcement personnel that will promote constitutional policing, improve public safety, and build trust in communities. “Providing law enforcement with the tools, resources and support... Read More »
Rep. Katko commends enactment of Shadow Wolves Enhancement Act
Rep. John Katko (R-NY) said the enactment of his Shadow Wolves Enhancement Act (H.R. 5681) expands support for Shadow Wolves officers performing critical duties and bolsters the southern border. The Shadow Wolves, part of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, are a Native American tactical... Read More »
Bolstered mental health crisis training sought for law enforcement
A group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation to enhance training for law enforcement personnel interacting with persons with mental or behavioral health issues. The Bipartisan Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act was sponsored by U.S. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and John Cornyn... Read More »
Bill introduced in Senate would enhance reporting of attacks on law enforcement
A bipartisan push in the Senate yielded the introduction of the Improving Law Enforcement Office Safety and Wellness Through Data Act to the Judiciary Committee last week to improve information gathering on attacks that target law enforcement. The legislation was introduced by U.S. Sens. Charles... Read More »
House advances Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act
This week, the House of Representatives advanced the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022, seeking to authorize funding for bolstering Coast Guard operations. The legislation also replaces and modernizes Coast Guard cutters and shoreside and cyber infrastructure. "The House... Read More »
DHS S&T seeks to bolster flood preparedness, response efforts
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has issued a Flood Data Collection & Analysis solicitation to aid flood preparedness and response efforts. The solicitation via the agency's Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) seeks technology capable... Read More »
Legislation introduced to allow U.S. Fire Administration assistance for local investigations of major fires
Under a bill introduced to the House of Representatives this week, the Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act, four legislators proposed changes to federal legislation that would allow the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to aid local firefighter investigations after major... Read More »
DHS S&T requests new means to identify, counter threats to public safety
A new solicitation issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) this week sought modern means of identifying and mitigating threats to so-called soft targets: sports venues, shopping complexes, schools, and more. As a program, Securing... Read More »
DHS S&T seeking first responder emerging technologies
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently released a Request for Information (RFI) to obtain first responder new and emerging technologies. First responders would experiment with and test the technological offerings during the multi-day... Read More »
Bipartisan legislators introduce Coast Guard Authorization Act
U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Sam Graves (R-MO), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), and Bob Gibbs (R-OH) are espousing the benefits of a measure that authorizes the U.S. Coast Guard funds for reinforcement and support. The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 enables support enhancing Coast Guard... Read More »
Rep. Buchanan hosts roundtable on crime, law enforcement threats
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) recently hosted a roundtable discussion with law enforcement personnel, which examined the overall crime uptick nationally and increased threats to first responders. The session with law enforcement personnel from Florida’s 16th District advocated for the... Read More »
Reps. Demings, Fletcher introduce legislation to save First Responder Network Authority
On Tuesday, U.S. Reps. Val Demings (D-FL) and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) introduced legislation to save the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). The legislation, H.R. 6768, would reauthorize FirstNet set to expire in 2027. Created to fulfill one of the recommendations of the 9/11... Read More »
Northrop Grumman to provide Marine Corps NGHTS devices
The Marine Corps has selected Northrop Grumman Corporation to provide the Next Generation Handheld Targeting System (NGHTS), noting the targeting device provides unequaled precision and GPS-denied environment operational capabilities. “NGHTS will significantly enhance the ability of Marines to... Read More »
Federal Firefighter Fairness Act proposes fair benefits for injuries, diseases sustained in the line of duty
Seeking to close a gap separating state, county, and municipal firefighters from federal firefighters, the Federal Firefighter Fairness Act of 2021 (HR 2499) is a bipartisan push to grant access to federal, job-related disability and retirement benefits for injuries and diseases contracted in the... Read More »