[Paham] Tech Version of National Guard

[WORKSNTV@aol.com]

U.S. Senate Passes Bill to Create Tech Version of National Guard=20

The U.S. Senate Friday passed legislation that would create a=20
technology equivalent of the National Guard.=A0 The Science and=20
Technology Emergency Mobilization Act, sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden=20
(D-OR) and Sen. George Allen (R-VA) calls for teams of volunteers=20
with technology and science expertise, organized in advance and=20
available to be mobilized on short notice; a "virtual technology=20
reserve" that would consist of a database of private-sector=20
equipment and expertise that emergency officials could call upon in=20
an emergency; a Center for Civilian Homeland Security Technology=20
Evaluation that would serve as a national clearinghouse and test=20
bed for innovative technologies relating to emergency prevention=20
and response, and a Web portal to provide individuals and companies=20
with a single point to access the center and a single point of=20
contact at each federal agency participating in the Center for=20
Civilian Homeland Security; and a "communications interoperability"=20
pilot program awarding seven grants of $5 million each.=A0 The grants=20
would help fund pilot projects to enable communications systems=20
used by fire, law enforcement, and emergency preparedness and=20
response agencies to work together for cross-communication in=20
disaster situations.=A0 The House Science Committee has passed a=20
similar version of the Senate bill in the committee's portion of=20
the Homeland Security package.=20

Source:=20
Agence France-Presse=20
Washington Post=20





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