Washington, D.C. – Continuing his effort to better prepare and protect first responders, Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA), a member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, recently introduced HR 3644, The Homeland Security Technology Improvement Act.
“First responders need 21st century technology to deal with 21st century threats,” declared Congressman Weldon. “It is inexcusable to think that our government is spending billions of dollars to develop cutting-edge technology and we are failing to put those tools into the hands of our first responders.”
The legislation seeks to create technology transfer programs within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify and transfer advanced technology that is applicable to counterterrorism, fire, EMS and law enforcement activity.
The bill was introduced by Weldon, and Congressman Rob Andrews (D-NJ). A companion bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Susan Collins (R-ME).
Specifically, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology within DHS, will research, develop, survey, test and review available technologies that would improve the capability of first responders to respond to traditional and terrorist threats.
Once the new technologies are identified, the Office of Domestic Preparedness within DHS will coordinate procedures that will transfer the new equipment to state, regional and local emergency response agencies.
