First Responder Identification of Emergency Needs in Disaster Situations

Bill: 114-hr-2795
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Introduced: 2015-06-16 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Emergency planning and evacuation
First responders and emergency personnel
Government studies and investigations
Performance measurement
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: 

First Responder Identification of Emergency Needs in Disaster Situations or the FRIENDS Act

 
Directs the Department of Homeland Security to submit a report on factors that would result in first responders failing to meet expectations based upon training and planning for terrorist incidents, which: (1) may include information on first responder performance and availability before, during, or after a terrorist threat or event; and (2) shall include first responder input on how the presence of family in the impacted area, the adequacy of personal protective equipment, and training gaps may influence performance and availability.
 
 
 
 

action_date: 2015-12-07
text: 

First Responder Identification of Emergency Needs in Disaster Situations or the FRIENDS Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit a report that describes select state and local programs and policies related to the preparedness and protection of first responders, which may include information on:
 
 
the degree to which such programs and policies include consideration of the presence of a first responder's family in an area impacted by a terrorist attack,
 
the availability of personal protective equipment for first responders, and 
 
the availability of home Medkits for first responders and their families for biological incident response.
 
 
The GAO may provide information: (1) in a format that delineates high risk urban areas from rural communities; and (2) on the degree to which the selected state and local programs and policies were developed or are being executed with funding from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including grants from the State Homeland Security Grant Program or the Urban Area Security Initiative.
 
DHS shall consider the report's findings and assess its applicability for federal first responders.
 
 
 
 

action_date: 2015-12-10
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on December 7, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

First Responder Identification of Emergency Needs in Disaster Situations or the FRIENDS Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit a report that describes select state and local programs and policies related to the preparedness and protection of first responders, which may include information on:
 
 
the degree to which such programs and policies include consideration of the presence of a first responder's family in an area impacted by a terrorist attack,
 
the availability of personal protective equipment for first responders, and 
 
the availability of home Medkits for first responders and their families for biological incident response.
 
 
The GAO may provide information: (1) in a format that delineates high risk urban areas from rural communities; and (2) on the degree to which the selected state and local programs and policies were developed or are being executed with funding from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including grants from the State Homeland Security Grant Program or the Urban Area Security Initiative.
 
DHS shall consider the report's findings and assess its applicability for federal first responders.
 
 
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-14
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-12-10
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 - 12 (Roll no. 689). (text: CR H9257-9258)
action_date: 2015-12-10
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-12-10
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 - 12 (Roll no. 689).(text: CR H9257-9258)
action_date: 2015-12-10
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9264-9265)
action_date: 2015-12-10
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2015-12-10
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2795.
action_date: 2015-12-10
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9257-9262)
action_date: 2015-12-10
text: Mr. Hurd (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2015-12-07
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 282.
action_date: 2015-12-07
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 114-370.
action_date: 2015-12-07
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 114-370.
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-06-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications.
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Introduced in House