News
Measure seeks to address 9-1-1 personnel health, wellness issues
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 »
Senate resolution commends Coast Guard border response
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a resolution commending the U.S. Coast Guard for border response and ability to adapt and respond to increased maritime threats. Officials said 17 lawmakers served as resolution co-sponsors, detailing Coast Guard efforts to safeguard the American people... Read More »
Federal support for local fire departments advances to House after Senate approval
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 »
DHS issues four-year Homeland Security Review of strategy for crimes, migration, nation states and more
When it debuted last week, the latest Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) marked the four-year assessment of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) strategies as well as more than 20 years since the Department was formed. Times have changed significantly since then, and even since... Read More »
DHS S&T offers $45M funding opportunity for new Homeland Security center in the Arctic
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) solicited colleges and universities nationwide this week with a $45 million funding opportunity, seeking proposals to guide a new Center of Excellence (COE) for Arctic operations. Funds will be offered through a... Read More »
Bill seeks to bolster funding for Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
U.S. Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), and Mark Green, M.D. (R-TN) recently introduced legislation that would provide substantial Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) funding for the next five years. Specifically, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative... Read More »
Air Force designates sites for newest fighter aircraft
Air Force personnel have selected the bases to receive two of its newest fighter aircraft. Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., is the preferred designated location to host the next F-35A Lightning II squadron. Additionally, per the Air Force, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New... Read More »
More than 50 Congressional lawmakers question DHS proposal to raise H-2A, H-2B visa fees
In a letter dispatched to the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this week, 52 House members responded to a recent proposal to increase fees and processing time for H-2A and H-2B visa proposals, blasting the idea as detrimental to businesses. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking... Read More »
Senate Homeland Security Committee holds hearing over DHS resources needed to face security threats
A hearing convened by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee this week put Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas under the spotlight, seeking answers to what his Department needs to secure and operate borders and counter threats... Read More »
DEA to host 24th National Drug Take Back Day
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is espousing the benefits of its 24th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 22. “Thanks to our local and state partners, we collected in the past event in October more than 33,500 pounds," DEA Washington Division Special Agent in Charge... Read More »
CBP signs supply chain security-focused arrangement with Guatemalan, Colombian customs administrations
This week, a tripartite agreement was reached between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and customs administrations in Guatemala and Colombia through a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) meant to enhance trade and economic security. The groundwork for this was laid last year when the... Read More »
Kathryn Coulter Mitchell named new CISA Chief of Staff
Kathryn Coulter Mitchell has been named the new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Chief of Staff, replacing Kiersten Todt, who will return to the private sector. “I’m really excited to have Kathryn join our team at CISA,” CISA Director Jen Easterly said. “She brings... Read More »
Textron Systems Corporation subsidiary to introduce firefighting robot at FDIC International
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 »
Justice Department details charges regarding illegal police station operation
U.S. Department of Justice officials have outlined a complaint charging two defendants for allegedly opening and operating an illegal overseas police station for the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Justice Department alleges in the complaint unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, New... Read More »
CBP seeks ideas for Non-Intrusive Inspection Anomaly Detection Algorithm
This week, a new solicitation from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) this week sought new Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) Anomaly Detection Algorithm solutions to increase inspection efficacy and reduce review times, and support analysis by CBP officers. CBP’s goal for these... Read More »
HHS releases new online educational platform, publication and report to aid cybersecurity in health sector
Due to the rising threat of cyberattacks against the health and public health sector, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) this week released three new resources under its HHS 405(d) Program to aid cybersecurity efforts. Together with the Health Sector Coordinating Council... Read More »
WHO launches PRET initiative to ready countries for next pandemics
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a new initiative to help countries prepare the systems and capabilities to manage emerging threats. The Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats Initiative (PRET) will officially launch on April 24-26, 2023, during a global... Read More »
DoD details Aerojet Rocketdyne agreement
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has detailed a $215.6 million agreement with Aerojet Rocketdyne (AR) the agency maintains will bolster the solid rocket motors supply chain. DoD's Office of Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) initiated the pact to expand... Read More »
DHS touts Operation Blue Lotus success
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel are touting Operation Blue Lotus, which has, in collaboration with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), disrupted synthetic drug trafficking. Operation Four Horsemen, the U.S. Border Patrol’s... Read More »
DARPA seeks ideas for novel antenna designs, materials and more under BRIDGES initiative
As a means to improve performance or substantially reduce the size, weight, power, and cost of current antennas, DARPA announced last week that it is soliciting novel designs, materials, manufacturing or processing concepts under its Bringing Classified Innovation to Defense and Government Systems... Read More »
Bill seeks to strengthen DHS law enforcement mental health resources
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 »
U.S., international security agencies publish new guidance for secure shipping by software manufacturers
In a collaborative effort, several United States security agencies joined with related authorities in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand last week to launch guidance for technology providers meant to increase security by design and default. In... Read More »
Northrop Grumman F-16 electronic warfare suite capable of countering modern radio frequency threats
In the first LIVE test of Northrop Grumman Corporation’s AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) last week, the system proved capable of countering modern radio frequency (RF) attacks, effectively blocking certain hacking attempts. During testing, simulated air defense... Read More »
Boeing touts satellite’s enhanced battlefield communication capabilities
Aerospace company Boeing is touting the enhanced battlefield communication capabilities of its newly unveiled Protected Wideband Satellite (PWS) design. Boeing said the PWS features the company's Protected Tactical SATCOM Prototype (PTS-P) payload hosted aboard the U.S. Space Force’s Wideband... Read More »
Expanding fentanyl crackdown, Biden administration designates xylazine combos emerging threat
Xylazine, a non-opioid tranquilizer approved for veterinary use, was recently declared an emerging threat to the United States by Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), when combined with fentanyl. While never approved for human use,... Read More »
DHS, State Department seek to expand Central American Minors program
Enhancements to the Central American Minors (CAM) program would provide alternatives to perilous and irregular border migration, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State officials. The CAM program enables certain individuals in the United States to request... Read More »
DHS effort to counter small UAS seeks information on kinetic mitigation measures
As part of an ongoing push to counter small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) launched a Request for Information (RFI) on kinetic mitigation technologies and solutions. “This effort is designed... Read More »
TSA procures new x-ray scanners for airport checkpoints
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has procured three Computed Tomography (CT) x-ray scanner orders worth up to $1.3 billion to be deployed at airport checkpoints. The orders call for up to 426 base, 359 mid-size and 429 full-size scanner units, if all options are exercised, for... Read More »
IMAGES Act introduced to improve accuracy of flood Insurance mapping standards
Reckoning with the increased influx of storms rattling the United States in recent years, United States Reps. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) and Alex Mooney (R-WV) introduced the Improvement of Mapping, Addresses, Geography, Elevation and Structures (IMAGES) Act (H.R. 2568) this week to improve flood... Read More »
DHS S&T seeks information on drone technologies to counter small UAS swarms
Through a Request for Information (RFI) this week, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) signaled a search for new and emerging counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) capable of defending against other small UAS (sUAS). Small UAS are... Read More »
Defense Department releases REPI Program funding guide
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) released the agency's 2023 Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI) Resilience Project Funding Guide this week. “The REPI Program is thrilled to release the first-ever Resilience Project Funding Guide," REPI Program Director... Read More »
DARPA completes third off-road unmanned vehicles test
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) personnel have completed the third test of off-road unmanned vehicles as part of its Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) program. The March 12-27 test runs in the Mojave Desert included the first with completely... Read More »
DHS S&T touts new carry-on baggage screening system
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently installed a next generation carry-on baggage screening system at Boston Logan International Airport. “This new carry-on screening system is an important next step in aviation security,” S&T... Read More »
House members rally for military criminal investigative organizations in FY24 Defense Appropriations funding bill
Concerned about inadequacies in Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIOs), a group of 18 Congress members recently issued a letter calling for adequate, stable funding and resources to aid investigations as part of the fiscal year 2024 Defense Appropriations funding bill. “The... Read More »