First Responders
In an effort to reduce crime and increase public safety, the Invest to Protect Act was introduced by a bipartisan coalition in Congress this week, dangling the possibility of increased funding for police departments to recruit and retain officers, as well as outfit them.
Announced at the start... Read More »
Together with 38 Republican colleagues, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Back the Blue Act last week, which would mandate a new federal crime for offenses against federal officers and judges, limit court review of related challenges and expand officer rights.
The act would take four... Read More »
As part of efforts to invest in America, made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $63 million in wildfire barriers, or fuel breaks, to slow wildfires and protect firefighters.
“For... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) is touting the benefits of recently introduced legislation he said seeks to offer wildland firefighter training to Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center students.
The Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act would create a pipeline for Montanans to enter into... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Chris Deluzio (D-PA) are touting the recently introduced Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act, which seeks to aid those who respond to train derailments.
“Emergency personnel that respond to devastating accidents, including train... Read More »
Reps. Norma Torres (D-CA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently introduced a bill that focuses on addressing 9-1-1 call-taker and dispatcher health and wellness concerns.
The Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma (PROTECT) 911 Act... Read More »
The Fire Grants and Safety Act garnered enough votes to advance through the Senate last week, passing the question of extending federal support for local fire departments to the House, with the future of two grant programs and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) on the line.
Sponsored... Read More »
Textron Systems Corporation subsidiary Howe & Howe, Inc. will introduce its Thermite EV1 firefighting robot during the FDIC International conference on April 24-29 in Indianapolis, Ind.
“Our EV1 is a powerful force multiplier for our heroes in fire response,” Howe & Howe Senior Vice... Read More »
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a bill to enhance Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement personnel's mental health resources.
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act, which would... Read More »
Ships and teams gathered off the coast of Manzanillo, Mexico last month for a weeklong exercise under the North American Maritime Security Initiative (NAMSI), which brought together the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Mexican Navy (SEMAR) and Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).
"This exercise provides... Read More »
During a meeting with Lancaster, Pa. firefighters, Gov. Josh Shapiro used the opportunity to pitch his $36 million plan for equipment, training and staffing for firefighters and EMS providers, along with a more than $50 million proposal for county 9-1-1 systems.
According to the state,... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) has requested funding for the Canine Reimbursement Program, following President Joe Biden’s fiscal year 2024 budget determining the program was zeroed out.
Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson contacted Bacon when the president’s budget request was released.
“I... Read More »
In his first budget proposal, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called for more than $50 million for 9-1-1 dispatch systems and $36 million to staff, equip and train firefighters and EMS providers.
“I know firsthand how our local municipal and county governments are on the frontlines of keeping... Read More »
With a proposed $750 million grant program, the newly introduced FIRE STATION Act, put forth by U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), as well as U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), pushes for modifications, upgrades and build-up of fire and EMS facilities across the... Read More »
Concerned that 9-1-1 systems begun more than 50 years ago might be in danger of growing outdated, U.S. Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act of 2023 last week to rally for modernization.
Communications have changed dramatically in the past... Read More »
Working to increase information access for first responders, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) this week partnered with emergency management agencies in Sumner County, Tenn., to pilot a new emergency dispatching system complete with AskRail data.
AskRail was a frontline tool for first... Read More »
The Senate took the first step to extend federal programs supporting local fire departments nationwide this week, voting to advance the Fire Grants and Safety Act out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Now the bill heads to the full Senate. There, the remainder... Read More »
Hitting back at a group suing the U.S. Forest Service to block the use of fire retardant nationwide without an exemption permit under the Clean Water Act, U.S. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) introduced new legislation to make that exemption standard.
Currently, agencies... Read More »
First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently announced this summer's 5x5: The Public Safety Innovation Summit.
The June 28 to June 30, 2023, event in San Diego, Calif., will unite leaders from public safety,... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently introduced legislation that seeks to aid local fire departments with staffing, equipment, training, and emergency medical services improvement needs.
Specifically, the Fire Grants and... Read More »
Lawmakers are commending Senate approval of a measure they said seeks to aid first responders in coping with the stresses of responding to crisis situations.
U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) joined eight colleagues in co-sponsoring the Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) recently reintroduced legislation seeking to aid in addressing law enforcement workforce challenges while bolstering recruitment initiatives.
The Recruit and Retain Act would increase officer... Read More »
With the introduction of the Fire Grants and Safety Act in the Senate this week, a bipartisan collection of lawmakers sought to extend federal programs that support local fire departments, including two grant programs and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) at large.
Without an... Read More »
In a bicameral move, U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and David Trone (D-MD) introduced the Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act last week to create a federal program providing local governments with resources to purchase containment devices for narcotics and offer training to first... Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
