WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Menendez announced that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded $705,122 in competitive grants to three New Jersey fire departments. Awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and administered in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration, these grants will be used by the departments to enhance their capacity to protect the public and first responders from fire related hazards and support their emergency response needs. These funds are part of round 42 of the competitive FY 2008 Fire Grant announcements.

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The shocking failure to notify the public of a Manhattan flyover of Air Force One and an F-16 fighter plane sadly shows New Jersey has every reason to question the Corzine administration's ability to disseminate vital homeland security information.

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REDD BILL TO REQUIRE COLLEGES TO PREPARE DISASTER PLANS ADVANCES

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Dana Redd which would require colleges in New Jersey to develop and coordinate comprehensive disaster preparedness plans for a number of potential emergencies, including pandemics, was approved by the Senate Education Committee today by a vote of 3-0.

“During a period of global unrest and uncertainty, public institutions are still being called on to meet the educational needs of our college students,” said Senator Redd, D-Camden and Gloucester. “Rather than wait for tragedy to strike – as it did two years ago during the Virginia Tech shooting, or almost a decade ago with the Seton Hall fire – we must coordinate with college leaders and emergency response and homeland security officials to develop practical emergency response plans. Students and their parents should be given full assurances that New Jersey’s colleges are safe learning environments, and that if the unthinkable should happen, there is a plan to protect the student body.”

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SCALERA, NJ HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIALS COMPARE STRATEGIES WITH SWEDISH COUNTERPARTS

Share Best Practices & Discuss Security Difficulties at All Levels

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Fred Scalera (D-Essex) today issued a multimedia package on his meeting with select members of the Swedish Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

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COMMITTEE CLEARS SCALERA/LAMPITT BILL REQUIRING SCHOOL SECURITY DRILLS

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly members Fred Scalera and Pamela Lampitt sponsored to require school security drills to improve emergency preparedness was released today by an Assembly committee.

State law requires most public schools to conduct two fire drills per month, but the bill (A-3002) aims to improve readiness at public and private schools by requiring one monthly fire drill and one monthly security drill.

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MILAM/ALBANO BILL TO ENHANCE WATERFRONT SECURITY & SAFETY CLEARS ASSEMBLY PANEL

Measure Would Prevent Access To Beachfront Areas Near Military Bases, Plants, Ports

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Matthew W. Milam and Nelson T. Albano sponsored to enhance security at waterfront areas near military, industrial, energy, transportation and port facilities was today released by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee.

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MILAM/ALBANO BILL TO ENHANCE WATERFRONT SECURITY & SAFETY CLEARS ASSEMBLY PANEL

Measure Would Prevent Access To Beachfront Areas Near Military Bases, Plants, Ports

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Matthew W. Milam and Nelson T. Albano sponsored to enhance security at waterfront areas near military, industrial, energy, transportation and port facilities was today released by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee.

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HATFIELD SAYS "STOP TIPTOEING AROUND WITH FISA'

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COMMITTEE RELEASES SCALERA/COHEN MEASURE TO REQUIRE STADIUMS AND ARENAS TO FILE EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLANS

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee today released legislation Assemblymen Fred Scalera and Neil Cohen sponsored to require large entertainment facilities, such as Giants Stadium and Camden's Susquehanna Bank Center, to file evacuation plans with local municipal emergency management coordinators. Read More >

Lautenberg: Stevens Institute of Technology Selected as Center of Excellence to Lead Research in Maritime, Island and Port Security

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