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Thursday, January 30th, 2025

First Responders

FIRST State and Local Law Enforcement Act advances House

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 »

FirstNet participates at Consumer Electronics Show 2019

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 »

Bill would fund Coast Guard during government shutdown

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 »

Air Force touts benefits of new leadership course

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 »

First responders to receive INTERPOL drone guidelines

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 »

New technology targets hazmat safety, security

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 »

FirstNet welcomes new board, sets strategic direction

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 »

NYPD to launch Unmanned Aircraft Systems program

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 »

Space launch aids Arctic search, rescue missions

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 »

New device bolsters trauma treatment efforts

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 »

Texas lawmakers land fire department grant

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 »

First Responder Network committee appoints chairman

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 »

New FirstNet board members appointed

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 »

DHS hosts international first responders conference

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 »

FEMA awards Pennsylvania $60 million in grant funding

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 »

FirstNet Authority names acting CEO

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) recently named Edward Parkinson acting CEO of FirstNet Authority. Parkinson was a staff member on the House Homeland Security Committee... Read More »