The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation make sure that first responders can acquire new equipment and innovative technologies needed to respond to evolving threats.
The First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act of 2017, authored by Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop transparent process to review requests by first responders to utilize their Urban Area Security Initiative or State Homeland Security Grant Program funds to buy equipment when voluntary industry standards do not exist.
Currently, equipment purchased through either grant initiative is required to meet or exceed national consensus standards. While FEMA does review grant requests for equipment purchases, many involved with the process have argued that the process lack uniformity and transparency. In addition, there is no process to review requests to purchase equipment where no consensus standards exist.
“In order to keep our communities safe, equipment for first responders must keep pace with the evolving threats those first responders face,” Payne, Jr. said. “So it’s extremely dangerous that many first responders are unable to acquire advanced equipment because of restrictions on the use of homeland security grant funds. This bill makes sure that first responders have the right tools to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
Payne, Jr. first introduced the bill in 2016 and was advanced by the House. The previous bill was not considered by the Senate.