First Responders
Researchers have developed a new tool and updated guidance to help first responders and emergency managers determine how best to decontaminate a massive number of people after chemical exposure.
The updated guidance on chemical decontamination, called Primary Response Incident Scene Management... Read More »
An Orlando, Fla.-based firm has secured a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) contract to begin prototype testing of canine wearable technology.
The $199,540 agreement with HaloLights, LLC is part of DHS S&T’s Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP),... Read More »
As a means of assessing new first responder technology solutions, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is hosting an initiative that evaluates innovations.
S&T officials said the agency had released a Request for Information (RFI) for... Read More »
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) hosted 13 Houston-area public safety agencies and 20 industry partners at the Port of Houston in December to test first-responder technology integration.
The test also was hosted by the U.S. Coast Guard,... Read More »
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced Tuesday the FIRST State and Local Law Enforcement Act, which would require the Department of Homeland Security Office for State and Local Law Enforcement (OSLLE) to provide an annual report on its activities for the next five years.
The reports would be... Read More »
Marines Corps personnel are espousing the benefits of an updated helmet-mounted night vision system designed to enhance the infantry’s lethality and situational awareness in reduced visibility.
Marine Corps Systems Command accelerated the acquisition of about 1,300 Squad Binocular Night Vision... Read More »
A federal interagency working group convened by the White House National Security Council last week released new resources to help first responders prepare for and respond to an emergency incident involving fourth generation agents — also known as chemical warfare agents.
“These resources... Read More »
Representatives of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) spoke at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and CES Government 2019 in Los Vegas about technology innovations related to first responders.
FirstNet members took part in panel discussions or were keynote speakers on... Read More »
AT&T and FirstNet announced this week that both entities boosted their LTE coverage area by more than 50,000 square miles in the United States last year, covering an additional 1 million individuals.
“The demand for data has been on a nonstop, upward trajectory for years,” said Marachel... Read More »
The Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2019, introduced Wednesday, aims to fund the Coast Guard during the government shutdown.
The more than 41,000 active duty Coast Guard members, 6,200 reservists, and 8,500 civilian personnel are the only members of the U.S. military not being paid during the... Read More »
As a means of enhancing officer quality and quantity, Air Force officials said they are initiating training revisions designed to phase out separate officer programs in lieu of merged classes.
The Total Force Officer Training and Commissioned Officer Training courses will be phased out... Read More »
Air Force officials are espousing the benefits of a new course designed to aid future squadron commanders in thriving in command posts.
Air University’s Leader Development Course for Squadron Command is structured as a foundational course that builds on leadership experiences and education,... Read More »
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held the largest training course on the creation and management of dosimetry labs last week, preparing more than ever in the measuring of radiation doses.
"In scope and reach, this training represents a milestone in our efforts to boost dosimetry... Read More »
INTERPOL officials said the organization has established global drone use guidelines earmarked for first responders investigating device-based criminal incidents.
Officials said drones and other technologies are more frequently being used to execute a range of crimes via surveillance,... Read More »
A pair of firms have secured federal funding to develop an integrated technology designed to enhance hazardous materials safety and security transporters via first responders, hazmat inspectors and transporters.
Officials representing Spill Center, a hazardous materials support and claims... Read More »
As many communities struggle with the widespread problem of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of 23 U.S. senators has requested leading federal agencies include firefighters in a PFAS health impact study.
The nationwide study, led by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and... Read More »
The international Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) recently helped Qatari first responders plan and prepare chemical emergency response for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The assistance was provided at the first International Workshop on Chemical Emergency Planning and... Read More »
The First Responder Network (FirstNet) Authority closed out their first operating year with the installation of new members to the board and the development of an enhanced strategic direction for the organization, marking significant progress for the authority’s public safety goal.
“This has... Read More »
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate and the Department of Energy (DOE) Pacific Northwestern National Laboratory (PNNL) have developed VitalTag, technology that can assist medical first responders in monitoring the vital signs of victims in a mass... Read More »
The New York Police Department (NYPD) announced last week the agency will be launching an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program, which will be comprised of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), or drones, and the licensed NYPD officers in the Technical Assistance Response Unit (TARU) who will operate... Read More »
The Coast Guard Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Program, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently launched two 6U CubeSats as a means of evaluating the effectiveness of space-based sensors in support of... Read More »
The Accident Response Group (ARG), a group of technical experts within the Department of Energy (DOE) meant to respond to nuclear weapons accidents, has been regrouped into the Military Liaison Department, more closely aligning it with military interests.
Department officials hope that this will... Read More »
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate S&T will host an event for first responders in the Houston area on new technologies available to them.
The event -- called the Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) Harris County Operational Experimentation (OpEx)... Read More »
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) researchers have developed a device that enhances the efforts of first responders while treating patients in trauma-induced environments.
The patent-pending VitalTag is a stick-on sensor designed to measure and track a patient's vital signs to help... Read More »
Though a crucial and effective means of keeping Hazardous Materials (HazMat) first responders safe, training programs are often not fully implemented due to time constraints and budget cuts.
According to a paper written by independent CRBN consultant Debra Robinson, many personnel do not... Read More »
Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) recently secured a $1.6 million federal grant to increase the La Salle County Fire Rescue Department's staffing level.
The lawmakers said funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for... Read More »
The First Responder Network (FirstNet) Authority’s Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) recently appointed Todd Early as its new chairman.
Early has more than 25 years of leadership experience in public safety. He is Texas’ contact person for public safety communications and is assistant... Read More »
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate is working with public safety officials in the Houston-area to evaluate first responder technologies.
DHS, along with industry partners and 13 local Houston-area public safety agencies on a HAZMAT-related scenario... Read More »
Massachusetts State Police, the US Coast Guard, Massachusetts National Guard, local police and fire departments, and federal public safety officials all participated in the largest homeland security training exercise ever conducted in the state last week.
The training exercise is designed to... Read More »
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has introduced a new training platform to help teachers, staff, first responders, and local law enforcement prepare for response plans to critical incidents at schools.
The virtual training platform is called the... Read More »
The Board of the First Responder Network Authority gained six new members this week, appointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.
Its newest members include Richard Carrizzo, chief of the Southern Platte Fire Protection District in Kansas City, Missouri; Welton Chase, former General... Read More »
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently hosted the first North American International Forum to Advance First Responder Innovation (IFAFRI) Industry Stakeholder Summit.
IFAFRI’s goal is to advance the development of innovative yet... Read More »
In response to a series of violent hate crimes throughout the United States this year, the U.S. Department of Justice has updated its prosecution efforts and launched a new website to serve as a centralized port of resources for handling them.
These resources include training materials,... Read More »
Public-private partnership project FirstNet has officially crossed the 3,600 subscriber mark for United States public safety agencies at the federal, state, local and tribal levels.
“FirstNet is being purpose-built to favor the important work first responders do. This is challenging and... Read More »
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently awarded Pennsylvania more than $60 million in grant funding for firefighters.
“Every day, our first responders put themselves in harm’s way to help individuals and families, whether it’s responding to a medical emergency, fire, or... Read More »
