Clicky

mobile btn
Wednesday, February 19th, 2025

First Responders

Bill seeks to bolster firefighter infrastructure

Reps. Jared Golden (D-ME) and Pete Stauber (R-MN) introduced last week a measure designed to enhance the nation’s fire station infrastructure. The Fire Station Infrastructure Safety Act provides data on the age and conditions of every fire station in the country, which the legislators maintain... Read More »

FirstNet platform surpasses 750,000 connections

The FirstNet communications platform has surpassed 750,000 connections and serves nearly 9,000 public safety agencies and organizations. The platform, built by the First Responder Network Authority and AT&T, is used exclusively by first responders to communicate critical information and... Read More »

More than $109M in federal grants will aid 911 centers

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Commerce recently awarded more than $109 million in grants through the 911 Grant Program to 34 states and two tribal nations. Funding will be used to upgrade 911 call centers to Next Generation 911 capabilities. Upgrades include... Read More »

CBP air and marine effort nets $114 mln cocaine seizure

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel recently located and tracked a cocaine-filled go-fast style vessel in the Western Caribbean, resulting in a 8,791 pound, $114.6 million seizure. Officials said a CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) P-3 Orion Long Range Tracker crew assigned to the... Read More »

California governor touts 9-1-1 system upgrades

Citing the state’s desire to upgrade California’s analog 9-1-1 system microwave network to a digital platform, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently touted a $1 billion investment in emergency preparedness and response funding. During a 9-1-1 call center tour at the San Francisco Department of... Read More »

Bill offers firefighter PFAS protection

A bill designed to protect the health and safety of firefighters and emergency responders frequently exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in foams was recently introduced by Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Gary Peters (D-MI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH). The... Read More »

California bolsters emergency preparedness

As a means of addressing this year’s fire season, California officials are highlighting efforts to bolster preparedness with a series of actions to prepare for wildfires and other natural disasters. Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order increasing the number of seasonal firefighters... Read More »

Bill to bolster firefighter safety

Reps. Pete Stauber (R-MN) and Jared Golden (D-ME) introduced Wednesday a measure designed to ensure fire station infrastructure nationwide enables firefighters to perform their duties efficiently and safely. The Fire Station Infrastructure Safety Act directs the U.S. Fire Administration to... Read More »

Coast Guard to conduct active shooter drill

As a means of simulating a full-scale response to a large-scale attack, the Coast Guard and local officials slated an active shooter drill at the Port of New Orleans Cruise Terminal on Wednesday. The effort will involve coordination between the U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation,... Read More »

Consortium awarded contract to train first responders

University of Maryland’s National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) recently was awarded a contract to train fire intelligence officers and senior leaders within the National Capital Region. The training will be through the Department of Homeland... Read More »

Senate advances 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund bill

Senate lawmakers have approved a measure making the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund permanent and it will now go to the president’s desk to be signed into law. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Reps. Carolyn B. Maloney... Read More »

CISA, Washington Redskins conduct emergency response test

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Washington Redskins recently conducted a successful emergency response test at FedExField. “Success on the football field requires not only having a solid game plan but practicing and... Read More »

Mental health treatment bill moves to president’s desk

The Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act, which would improve mental health treatment and support for our nation’s law enforcement officers, now heads to the president’s desk for signature. The bill highlights the need for suicide prevention. Law enforcement officers are... Read More »

Joint military training aids amphibious preparedness

Marine Corps personnel recently joined the Army and Navy in a joint training initiative designed to increase combat operational readiness in amphibious and prepositioning operations. Marines with the 2nd Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics... Read More »

Camp Pendleton hosts Wildland Fire School

California’s Camp Pendleton hosted the annual Wildland Fire School last week, during which firefighters safely cleared out overgrown grasslands using prescribed fire. The technique eliminates fuels from training areas and prevents future large-scale wildland fires. It also allowed firefighters... Read More »

Senate creates National First Responders Day

A resolution was passed in the U.S. Senate that will designate October 28, 2019, as "Honoring the Nation's First Responders Day." An estimated 4.6 million career and volunteer firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians, and paramedic workers serve communities all across the nation,... Read More »

Navigation app provides first responders with best routes

The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has partnered with Azimuth1 to develop a navigation app called QuickRoute, specially designed for first responders. The app warns users about hazards along the route and takes into account factors like traffic... Read More »

West Virginia to garner initial FirstNet site

West Virginia’s Preston County will receive a new, purpose-built cell site as part of the state’s FirstNet network expansion, increasing first responders coverage, capacity, and capability. FirstNet is the nationwide, wireless communications platform dedicated to America’s first responders... Read More »