Department of Homeland Security (DHS) News

FEMA provides survivors two easyways to recover from summer storm Go through the following clarification about disaster assistance and some FAQs to avoid common misunderstanding. In the first few weeks following a disaster, residents may be confused or misled by rumors and half-truths about how to get help from the various assistance programs that are available. While state and federal programs are not intended to make storm survivors whole, they can provide the kinds of ass...

Fifth DRC will enhance the ability of FEMA and IEMA to administer a better disaster management in the state Fifth federal/state Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) operated by IEMA and FEMA going to open in the Chicago State University Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center. A fifth federal/state Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open in the Chicago State University Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center for residents to meet face-to-face with disaster recovery spec...

FEMA has approved Colorado’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) to combat fire U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s  Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to combat the reservoir fire in Larimer County. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Reservoir Fire...

American Red Cross Town Hall in Washington DC shall host the National Summit on 14 September 2010  The National Summit on Youth Preparedness on September 14, 2010 is an effort to bring the Youth Emergency Preparedness Education to the forefront. The Department of Homeland Security’s - Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Education, and the American Red Cross are pleased to invite you to participate in the National Summit on Youth Pr...

FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help the state of California fight the post fire in Kern County. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire...

To date, Hurricane Alex has caused$1.8 billion of damage  FEMA encourages disaster victim to apply for disaster assistance. Both a toll-free registration telephone number and online registration are now operational for homeowners, renters and business owners in the Texan counties that have suffered property damage or loss from Hurricane Alex. These counties include Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Maverick, Starr, Val Verde, Webb and Zapata. Officials from the U.S. Departmen...

The new campaign initiated by DHS and TSA would help in providing better and effective security measures Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole launched two major enhancements to general aviation security the general aviation component of DHS's nationwide "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign, and a streamlined system for vetting passengers and crew on general avia...

The new appropriation bill approves the much required funding for AFG, SAFER and USFA    On June 24, the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee marked-up legislation that would fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in FY 2011, including the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, and the United States Fire Administration (USFA). The bill provides $420 milli...

DHS secretary emphasized on collaboration of private sector partners for chemical sector security Secretary Napolitano highlighted the Department's unique role in combating chemical security threats through both regulatory and voluntary programs. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano delivered remarks highlighting the Department's ongoing efforts to bolster security and increase resiliency at high-risk chemical facilities through the Chemical Facili...

"The grant-funded projects will strengthen community preparedness and emergency response capabilities."  America's firefighters play a critical role in disaster prevention and response. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced more than $11.9 million in Fire Station Construction Grants (SCG) funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - designed to support the nation's first responders while creating jobs and sti...

NVFC resource will help people to check out for proper resources in the time catastrophes The NVFC created the resource center to help communities tackle and overcome aftermaths of hurricane disasters. Hurricane season is from June 1-November 30, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season will be active to extremely active. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) wants to help communities be ready...

An online tutuorial provides information on firefighters grant applications About $390 million will be distributed through the current AFG grant cycle. The application period for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) opened on April 26, and applications must be received by May 28. AFG meets the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations by funding critically needed equipment, protective gear, em...

The new SCBA is expected to improve the safety of fire fighters on the frontlines. Photo: Justin DiPierro The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Prince George’s County, Md., Fire/EMS Department have conducted a field test of a new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). “These important field tests give us the information we need to ensure that this cutting-edge technology is safe, reliable and ready to be deployed. This is one of th...

The annual preparedness grants will go towards preparation for meeting disasters and emergencies The critical infrastructure and preparedness grants announced include specific steps undertaken by DHS to improve the ability of grant applicants to maximize funding and also incorporate inputs. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the fiscal year 2010 Preparedness Grants for nine federal programs including critical infrastructure-related gran...

Secretary of U.S Homeland Security was present at the historic agreement to battle natural disasters The historic event to cope up with natural disasters is an important step forward in bolstering collaboration between the United States and Australia in preparing for and responding to natural disasters. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Australian Attorney-General Robert McClelland today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to s...

The programme will analyse policy options and examine the responsibilities of leadership The fellowship programme for fire service leaders is a joint effort between the USFA, IFSTA, IAFC, NFPA, and Harvard. Kelvin J. Cochran, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), announced that six senior fire officials have been selected for fellowships to attend the Harvard University's Senior Executives in State and Local Governm...

New aviation security steps will ward of terrorist threats and upgrade safety of passengers on board New security measures would enable U.S government with current information which could be applied on passengers travelling to United States. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin implementing new enhanced security measures for all air carriers with international fl...

Fire Prevention and safety grant will help NVFC to concentrate on firefighters' health issues The Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant is meant for supporting programmes like Health Fair, Health and Wellness Advocate Workshops, and National Firefighter Health Week.The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has received a Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant from the Department of Homeland Security to support the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program. The grant will...

IAFF has selected MSA to develop a prototype of a new SCBA New pressure-vessel technology of SCBA will increase fire fighters safety. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), under contracts with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has selected global safety equipment manufacturer MSA  to build a prototype of a new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The IAFF's next-generation SCBA prototype will rely on pressure-vessel technology, which p...

U.S Fire Administration announces the National Fire Academy annual outstanding applied research awards Executive fire officer programme provides senior fire officers with a broad perspective on various challenging facets of fire administration.The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Fire Administration has announced the four fire service executives who will receive the National Fire Academy's (NFA) 2009 Annual Outstanding Applied Research Awards. This award recogn...

The President's budget request proposes funding allocations for all federal departments The President's budget request proposes funding allocations for all federal departments, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through which the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, and other programs vital to the emergency services are funded. For FY 2011, the...

CSB will investigate the 7 January explosion that severely injured a student at Texas Tech University The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) will investigate the causes of a January 7 explosion that severely injured a graduate student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, the CSB has announced. University officials told the CSB the accident occurred in the chemistry department during the handling of a high-energy metal compound, which suddenly detonated. Texas Tech...

DHS continues to support U.S. government efforts - led by the USAID and State Department The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to support U.S. government efforts - led by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department - by deploying more than 1,000 personnel to provide operational and humanitarian assistance in Haiti following the Jan. 12 earthquake. On Jan. 25, DHS stood up pre-departure identity verification teams in Haiti, com...

Secretary Napolitano has authorized the activation of up to 900 reservists for Haiti rescue mission  The Coast Guard will utilize more than 100 of the newly-activated reserve personnel to strengthen port security operations in Port Au Prince.Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has authorized the temporary activation of up to 900 reserve U.S. Coast Guard service men and women to bolster the more than 500 Coast Guard personnel al...

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet NapolitanoPhotograph: Elissa Jun/FEMA Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has released a statement describing ongoing US relief efforts following the Haiti earthquake."The entire Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extends its sympathy for the devastation and loss of life in Haiti following last night's earthquake - a disaster that has called the world to action in response. The U.S. Coast Guard and the F...

Secretary Napolitano Unveils "Virtual USA" Information-Sharing Initiative Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today officially launched Virtual USA, an innovative information-sharing initiative-developed in collaboration with the emergency response community and state and local governments across the nation-that helps federal, state, local and tribal first responders communicate during emergencies. "Our first responders need interoperable tools...

Secretary Napolitano announces grant guidance for more than $2.7 billion in fiscal year 2010 grant programs Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has announced the release of fiscal year 2010 grant application guidance kits for 13 DHS grant programs totaling more than $2.7 billion-funds. The funds are meant for state, local, tribal and territorial governments and private sector entities to strengthen USA's ability to prevent, prot...

CMAS is one of many projects within IPAWS to send alerts and warnings to the public of United States The standards will enable wireless carriers to provide its customers with timely and accurate emergency alerts and warnings via their cell phones and other mobile devices.As part of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), the nation's next generation of emergency alert and warning networks, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Age...

Our mission is to assist states in rapidly connecting restoring victims to  a pre-disaster level of self-sufficiency  This agreement is a component of FEMA's interim two-phase disaster case management model.To better assist individuals recover from disasters the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Children and Families (ACF) and the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have signed an interagency ag...

FEMA has extended the comment period on standards selected for the Voluntary PS-Prep Program New deadline for comments is January 15.NFPA 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs has been designated for adoption under the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program (PS-Prep). The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of DHS has extended the comment...