First Responders
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 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 »
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 »
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 »
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. 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has issued a request for information (RFI) regarding respiratory protection for wildland firefighters.
The effort coincides with a market survey executed by S&T’s National Urban Security Technology... Read More »
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is seeking data regarding commercially available mobile radiation detection systems.
The request for information (RFI) stems from agency efforts to assist emergency responders on varied radiation detection... Read More »
In introducing the Active Shooter Alert Act (H.R.6538) to the House this week, U.S. Reps. David Cicilline (D-RI) and Fred Upton (R-MI) proposed creating a system similar to the AMBER Alert system for law enforcement to use in notifying the public of active, local gun violence.
AMBER Alerts are... Read More »
Brittany Global Technologies, based in New Bedford, Mass., has secured a $1.3 million Department of Defense (DoD) contract for industrial base production of Berry Amendment compliant fabrics for military uniforms.
“This increased capacity will ensure the U.S. government continues to have... Read More »
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to President Joe Biden advocating increased wildfire mitigation efforts.
U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), and Joe Neguse (D-CO) spearheaded the correspondence that included signatures from 11 House of Representatives... Read More »
U.S. Reps. Young Kim (R-CA) and Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) recently introduced legislation to bolster wildfire communications and information sharing among first responders.
The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Wildland Fire Communications and Information Dissemination Act... Read More »
Backed by various law enforcement organizations and bipartisan appeal, U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and John Rutherford (R-FL) – together with 36 cosponsors – introduced the Invest to Protect Act of 2022 last week to support local police.
The House bill seeks critical investments into... Read More »
A new bill introduced by U.S. Reps. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and John Rutherford (R-FL) would provide $50 million in grants for small police departments to invest in training, equipment, personnel support, and mental health resources.
“Now more than ever, we need to make... Read More »
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a measure that seeks to increase the hiring and compensation of rural law enforcement officers.
U.S. Reps. Tom Rice (R-SC) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) recently joined 10 colleagues in introducing the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) on the... Read More »
Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) recently detailed the application process for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants, noting the effort seeks to bolster local fire department staffing.
Higgins said the application period is now open, and the deadline is Feb. 4, 2022, before 5... Read More »
In an effort to boost the number of EMTs available to New York during any winter surges of COVID-19, a new training partnership began last week between the New York State Department of Health and the New York National Guard.
While Gov. Kathy Hochul had already deployed 60 National Guard medical... Read More »
The $770 billion Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA; S. 1605) was signed into law last week, and among its many provisions were funding for addressing both Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination throughout the United States.
This will take the form of new... Read More »
A collection of West Coast-based senators wrote to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) last week in pursuit of its plans and funding needs regarding the nearly 70 percent completed West Coast Early Earthquake Warning System.
Recognizing that most of the way there is significantly... Read More »
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is awarding $1.6 billion in grants to support programs designed to reduce violent crime while strengthening communities.
“The Department of Justice is committed to supporting our state and local partners to combat crime across the country,” Attorney General... Read More »
