DHS

November 5, 2009 -- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the final deployment of non-intrusive scanning equipment to detect radiation emanating from materials used in nuclear devices at all Northern border land ports of entry—a major security milestone completed two months ahead of schedule that reflects Secretary Napolitano’s ongoing commitment to strong, layered security at the U.S.-Canada border.

“Securing our Northern border while facilitating legitimate travel and trade requires a strategic combination of technology, personnel and infrastructure,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This technology enhances our capability to guard against terrorism and criminal threats while expediting border crossings for lawful trade and travel.”    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced contract awards for up to 120,000 treatment courses of intravenous (IV) antiviral drugs to help treat hospitalized 2009 H1N1 influenza patients.

Patients hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 influenza are evaluated to determine if antiviral drugs will be useful; some patients are not able to take the drugs that are currently available as pills or liquid and may benefit from intravenous antiviral medications.    » read more »

Executive Order gives public health director clear authority to respond as needed

Nov. 5, 2009 -- (Salem) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today issued Executive Order 09-17 to grant the state’s public health director, Dr. Mel Kohn, additional authority to respond proactively to pandemic H1N1 influenza. By issuing the order now, Governor Kulongoski has provided Dr. Kohn with the ability to implement quickly public health protections provided by state law.

“In order to do all we can to protect the public, I have provided Dr. Kohn with the ability to take additional steps to protect the health of Oregonians,” said Governor Kulongoski. “These measures are not needed now, but should that change, Dr. Kohn can take action without delay.”    » read more »

National Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Center Opens

October 30, 2009 -- (Arlington, VA) - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) joined Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and other Members of Congress to launch a new cybersecurity center today in Arlington, Virginia.

The National Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) will create a 24-hour watch and warning center to address threats and other incidents involving our nation’s critical infrastructure. The center will be staffed by officials with the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies along with workers from the private sector.    » read more »

Testimony of Alex Garza, MD,MPH, Office of Health Affairs; Richard Serino,FEMA; Marcy Forman, ICE before U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats,Cybersecurity and Science & Technology on "Real-Time Assessment of the Federal Response to Pandemic"

October 27, 2009 -- Cannon House Office Building -- (Written Testimony)    » read more »

October 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate swore in Richard Serino as FEMA Deputy Administrator at a ceremony at Boston’s Faneuil Hall.

Prior to joining FEMA, Serino served as Chief of Emergency Medical Services and Assistant Director for the Boston Public Health Commission. In that role, he helped bolster the city’s response plans for chemical, biological, and radiological attacks and other emergency incidents. He brings 35 years of state and local emergency management and emergency medical services experience to the position.    » read more »

Secures $4 Million for the Fort Madison Bridge and Funding for FEMA and Disaster Mitigation Projects

Washington, Oct 19 - Congressman Loebsack secured critical investments for Iowa in the FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. The bill makes critical investments in disaster funding, including funding for FEMA management, disaster relief, and flood map modernization, and disaster relief loans.

The bill also makes critical improvements in securing vital infrastructure such as aviation systems, ports, and surface transit while also including aid for our brave first responders.    » read more »

Submits Strengthening and Updating Resources and Equipment Act of 2009

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy today introduced legislation that will allow first responders to maintain the capabilities necessary to prepare and protect their communities against acts of terrorism and other emergencies. The Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Bennie Thompson, joined Kilroy in cosponsoring the Strengthening and Updating Resources and Equipment Act (SURE Act) of 2009.    » read more »

Failed Riverdale Bomb Plot Contributes To Added Funding in the Homeland Security Appropriations

10/15/09 -- Washington, D.C.-- Congressman Eliot Engel voted today to approve the FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which included $19 million in federal funds to help protect civil, religious and community institutions from terrorist attacks. The funding will be part of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Non-Profit program.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minneapolis) secured a $750,000 appropriation for the City of Minneapolis to build a new Emergency Operations Center in a bill approved by the House today. The funds were included in H.R. 2892, the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for FY 2010.

The bill is expected to easily pass the Senate and will be signed into law by President Obama. The current Operations Center was used to coordinate the local, state, and federal emergency response to the August 2007 collapse of the Interstate 35W Bridge in Minneapolis.    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., today announced that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded a contract in the amount of more than $2.75 million to BrooAlexa Design Joint Venture, LLC, of Dunbar, West Virginia, to begin the initial planning and development for the construction of new dormitories at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Advanced Training Center in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.    » read more »

Legislation, crafted in part by Congressman Rothman, brings over $4 million in congressionally-directed security funding to New Jersey

October 15, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2892, the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Conference Report, which was authored by Congressman Rothman and fellow members of the Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee.

This spending measure determines all federal funding for the Department of Homeland Security, including, but not limited to, supporting our first responders, investing in border security and securing our nation’s mass transit, our sea, rail and airports.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 - WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman John P. Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a $42.8 billion fiscal year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill that includes funding for the Westmoreland County Alternate Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

The House and Senate conferenced this bill, which must now be passed by the full Senate before heading to the President for his signature. The House passed the bill 307-114.    » read more »

House Passes the Homeland Security Appropriations Act

October 15, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-Dover) helped the House pass crucial investments in priority homeland security programs. The Homeland Security Appropriations Act (H.R. 2892), which passed the House of Representatives today with broad bipartisan support, increases federal funding for securing America's borders, ports and airports.    » read more »

10/15/2009 -- WASHINGTON – Congressman Parker Griffith voted today to pass the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2010 and to increase funding for border security and immigration law enforcement. H.R. 2892 passed the House Floor Friday and will be sent to the Senate before being signed into law by the President.

“Congress has taken a step in the right direction toward a serious and sustained effort to secure our borders,” Griffith said. “The security of this nation is priority number one, and this legislation provides critical funding to secure our borders, train our local first responders and safeguard the American people.”    » read more »