First Responders

Midland, MI, July 02, 2008 -- A safety train equipped with a classroom and training center on rails has rolled into Lansing to provide free railroad and chemical transportation training to local firefighters and other emergency response personnel. The Michigan TRANSCAER Training Tour, presented by The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), has brought chemical and rail industry professionals to several communities in Michigan to provide hands-on training, the training will begin Midland May 22 and conclude in Lansing July 2.    » read more »

06/16/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Yolo County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Diaz, of Woodland, CA:

"Deputy Tony Diaz was a true hero who sacrificed his life to protect the citizens of his community. The people of California will never forget Tony's selflessness, bravery and tireless dedication to keeping Yolo County safe. Maria and I extend our deepest condolences to Tony's family, friends and fellow officers during this difficult time."

Diaz, 37, died June 15, after being shot during a traffic stop on County Road 5 at County Road 99 in Dunnigan, CA. He was a 10 year veteran of the Yolo County Sheriff's Department. He is survived by three children.    » read more »

June 9, 2008 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today signed into law two bills designed to help keep Connecticut communities safer and to protect the first responders – police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians – who accept that difficult and often dangerous job.    » read more »

June 9, 2008 -- Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, reiterated his call for the Congress and the Administration to fully support state and local law enforcement in wake of new data detailing nationwide decreases in murders, robberies and other felonies.    » read more »

06/03/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today joined representatives from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), local elected officials, firefighters and Blue Ribbon Commission Task Force members to unveil five new engines from the OES Engine Program that have been assigned to the San Diego, Escondido, Oceanside, Murrieta and Riverside Fire Departments.

California Governor Schwarzenegger unveils new fire engines: Photo courtesy California Governor's office    » read more »

May 15, 2008 -- Chicago, IL -- Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement to commemorate the National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

"On this National Peace Officers Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who lost their lives making our streets safer and our families more secure, including the 181 courageous Americans who fell in the line of duty last year - and our thoughts and prayers go out to their loved ones.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement after the Senate took the first step to passing the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007 (S.2123). Senator Obama is an original cosponsor of the bill and voted in favor of beginning debate on it.

A Seattle firefighter: Photo by Narisa (CC)    » read more »

Grant Will Enhance Fire and Police Response in NYC, Westchester and Long Island

April 16, 2008 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that $34 million in homeland security grant funds have been awarded to the New York City urban area as part of the federal government’s Urban Area Security Initiative.

FDNY fire truck: Photo by Sergio Calleja (CC)

The funds are made available through the federal Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program that will help fire, police and other first responders better communicate during emergencies.    » read more »

Effort Calls for Increased Funding for Community Oriented Policing Services Program

April 9 ,2008 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is urging his Senate colleagues to fully fund a program that provides critical resources to train new law enforcement officers, invest in crime-fighting technologies, fight methamphetamine abuse, and support a range of additional law enforcement priorities.

Wisconsin police motorcycle: Photo by Michael Pereckas (CC)    » read more »

04/08/2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator John Kerry today sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) urging the Department to immediately implement recommendations that came as a direct result of an investigation Kerry requested last year.

In March of 2007, Kerry requested an investigation into DOJ’s administration of federal death benefits for the families of 34 eligible firefighters, police officers and other public safety officers who died in the line of duty.

Massachusetts firefighters: Photo by ariwriter (CC)    » read more »

April 07, 2008 -- MONTGOMERY - Alabama Governor Bob Riley announced Monday the state has received federal approval of its advanced communications plan for first responders and a $13.5 million homeland security grant to help implement the plan.

The State Interoperable Communications Plan, designed by state and local leaders, allows for technological advancement in communications for first responders across the state. Alabama is one of only twenty states to receive federal approval so far.    » read more »

Senator Says Auxiliary Officers Killed in Line of Duty Deserve Full Benefits

March 27, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today urged the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to grant full death benefits to the families of two New York City Auxiliary Police Officers gunned down in the line of duty.    » read more »

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) fire protection engineers turned an abandoned New York City (NYC) brick high-rise into a seven-story fire laboratory last month to better understand the fast-moving spread of wind-driven flames, smoke and toxic gases through corridors and stairways of burning buildings.
NIST High-Rise Fire Test; Positive Pressure Ventilation Fans: Firefighters watch as a fan, simulating wind, changes airflow and smoke conditions during experiments in a seven-story high-rise abandoned apartment building on New York City's Governors Island. Photo: NIST    » read more »

February 4, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold A. Schaitberger issued this statement today on President Bush’s proposed Fiscal Year 2009 budget:

“As the end of the president’s term in office mercifully draws closer, his proposed budget is another example of his words not matching his deeds.    » read more »

Badge Honors Exceptional Acts of Bravery in the Line of Duty

January 29, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Today Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) introduced the Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act (S.2565). This bipartisan legislation establishes an award that honors federal law enforcement officers who perform exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty.    » read more »