News

Secretary Napolitano Announces $23 Million in Recovery Act Funding For Security Technology at Orland

6th August 2010 (DHS) Washington, D.C. - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced approximately $23 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for an inline baggage screening system at Orlando International Airport (MCO)—enhancing the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) ongoing efforts to bolster airport security while boosting the local economy. Link: http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1281112935684.shtm

Departments of Justice and Homeland Security Announce 30 Convictions, More Than $143 Million in Seiz

6th August 2010 (DHS) WASHINGTON—Operation Network Raider, a domestic and international enforcement initiative targeting the illegal distribution of counterfeit network hardware manufactured in China, has resulted in 30 felony convictions and more than 700 seizures of counterfeit Cisco network hardware and labels with an estimated retail value of more than $143 million. Link: http://journal.dhs.gov/2010/08/homeland-security-begins-with-hometown_03.html

How To Register For FEMA Assistance; Types Of Assistance Available

The Registration Process * If you are a homeowner, renter or business owner and have been affected by Hurricane Alex, FEMA urges you to apply for assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by phone at 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA); TTY 1-800-462-7585, or by using a web-enabled phone accessed at m.fema.gov. Link: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=52322

U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces up to $25 Million for High-Speed Passenger Rail Resea

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is soliciting research proposals to foster rapid development of high-speed and intercity passenger rail service technologies in the United States. A pool of $25 million is available for basic and applied technology research, development and demonstration projects to advance the state of the art in track and structures, train control systems, operating practices and rolling stock. FRA is seeking projects focused on accelerating development of technologies that ensure safe, efficient and strategic deployment of integrated passenger rail systems. The solicitation is open to all sources. Link: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/fra1110.html

NOAA National Weather Service Releases Mid-Year Forecast, Calling For Active Hurricane Season

5th August 2010 (FEMA) WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service today issued its latest forecast for the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season, reaffirming its May forecast of an active Atlantic hurricane season. In light of this latest forecast, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reminds Americans living in coastal states that the time is now to ensure their family is prepared for a hurricane or other emergency. Link: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=52320

Secretary Napolitano Announces New Community-Based Law Enforcement Initiatives in Conjunction with N

3rd August 2010 (DHS) Washington, D.C. - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced a series of initiatives to support state and local law enforcement and community groups across the country in identifying and mitigating threats to their communities and expanded DHS' "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign to the Washington, D.C., area in conjunction with National Night Out, an annual anticrime campaign involving citizens, police and neighborhood groups. Link: http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1280864546408.shtm

Homeland Security Begins with Hometown Security

3rd August 2010 (DHS) One of the important lessons that we've learned over the years is that confronting violence in our communities works best when local law enforcement works in close collaboration with the communities and citizens they serve, as well as their partners in the federal government. It's a simple idea, but a powerful one: that homeland security begins with hometown security. And when we equip local law enforcement, citizens, and communities to understand and combat violent extremism, we make our home towns – and our nation – safer. Link: http://journal.dhs.gov/2010/08/homeland-security-begins-with-hometown_03.html

Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers Add Sunday Hours

31st August 2010 (FEMA) LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers in Marrowbone and Pikeville will be open Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. beginning this weekend. Pike County residents who suffered damages or loss as a result of the mid-July storms, flooding and mudslides can get information about federal and state disaster assistance at the centers operated by the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Link: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=52289

Final Environmental Impact Statement for Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Milit

29th July 2010 (DOD) The Department of the Navy (DoN) announced yesterday the availability of the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Military Relocation. Link: http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13760

National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated

28th July 2010 (DOD) This week the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps announced a decrease in activated reservists, while the Navy and Coast Guard announced an increase. The net collective result is 13,858 fewer reservists activated than last week. At any given time, services may activate some units and individuals while deactivating others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease. The total number currently on active duty from the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 75,298; Navy Reserve, 6,466; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 15,701; Marine Corps Reserve, 4,767; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 787. This brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been activated to 103,019, including both units and individual augmentees. Link: http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13760

Air Force Announces F-35 Basing Proposal

28th July 2010 (DOD) The Department of the Air Force announced today its proposal to base 59 F-35 aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This proposal is contingent upon the result of a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS), which should be released in the early fall 2010, and includes the preferred alternative (Alt. 1A) of basing the 59 F-35 aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base main base. Flight operations will also be conducted at Duke and Choctaw Fields. Link: http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13755

FEMA All Hazard Preparedness Campaign Continues

28th August 2010 (FEMA) SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- On Monday July 12, 2010, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched an All Hazards Preparedness Campaign in hardware stores to advise people on how to rebuild implementing mitigation measures and prevent future damages. More than 1,600 persons have been reached and this effort will continue in stores located in the 10 municipalities designated to receive federal aid under FEMA’s Public Assistance program for Infrastructure damages, after the May 26-31, 2010 storms and flooding event. Link: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=52244

1st-Quarter 2010 Air Fare Data: Average 1st-Quarter Domestic Air Fares Increased 4.7% from 1st Quart

(DOT) Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - Average domestic air fares in the first quarter of 2010 increased to the second highest January-to-March level since 2001, rising 4.7 percent from the first quarter of 2009 (Table 1), the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. Link: http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2010/bts036_10/html/bts036_10.html

DOT Fines Comair for Violations of Denied Boarding Compensation Rules

26th July 2010 (DOT) The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today assessed a civil penalty against Comair for violating federal rules regarding passengers denied boarding (“bumped”) on oversold flights. Comair and affiliated carriers were ordered to cease and desist from further violations and Comair will pay a civil penalty of $275,000. Link: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot14610.html

Federal Highway Administration Proposes Rule for National Tunnel Inspection Safety Standards

21st July 2010 (DOT) WASHINGTON –Taking another important step to enhance driver safety, the Federal Highway Administration is requesting comment on a proposed new rule to establish national uniform standards for federal tunnel inspections. “Safety is our highest priority and this is an important step to make our tunnels even safer,” said U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Establishing national standards will help us maintain a high level of safety and uniformity across the country in the inspection of tunnels.” Link: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/fhwa2810.html