House Passes Bill to Make it Easier for First Responders to Acquire New Technologies

Homeland Security Today: The First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act (H.R. 5460), which require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop a transparent process to review requests by first responders to use their Urban Area Security Initiative or State Homeland Security Grant Program funds to purchase equipment for which voluntary industry standards do not exist.

Introduced by Rep.Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications, the legislation would make it easier for first responders to acquire new equipment and technologies they need to respond to evolving threats.

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