People

FEMA tests a new alert system

Internet-based system reaches across different devices and jurisdictions

People

DHS outlines eight keys to national preparedness

The 51-page document outlines the top priorities intended to synchronize pre-disaster planning, prevention and mitigation activities throughout the nation.

Digital Government

E-prescribing PDAs save millions for Mississippi Medicaid

The program provides 225 doctors with handheld devices, reaping $1.2 million per month in medication savings.

People

ATF agents get Web portal access

Officials say the new portal should eliminate delays in sending info back to headquarters.

Acquisition

Colorado town fields video surveillance system

Parker tapped CDW-G for motion-activated cameras that cover the Parker Fieldhouse.

People

DHS IG: Sharing information could save money

A lack of communication among agencies led to increased costs for debris removal after Hurricane Katrina, an audit found.

People

Border states to test hybrid IDs

But experts say the ID tests won’t resolve problems in creating national standards.

People

Stephenson: Web 2.0 and security

Social-networking technologies offer benefits that support a homeland security agenda.

Acquisition

Gulf Coast businesses get boost from GSA

A new directive streamlines the process for awarding recovery contracts to local small businesses in the area Hurricane Katrina devastated two years ago.

People

Arizona joins hybrid ID effort

The state will partner in development of the "enhanced" driver's license that is expected to meet DHS' Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requirements and align with the Real ID Act.

Digital Government

State interoperability guidelines revised

States will be eligible to be reimbursed for planning and coordination in addition to funding for software and equipment, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration said.

Modernization

Next up, e-discovery challenges

Amended litigation rules force governments to rethink their electronic document options.

People

Citizen adoption of e-gov is key to saving money

The Congressional Research Service's report on a survey of 38 states finds federal e-government efforts have only a minor affect on local plans.

Acquisition

Company to help LA move digital files

The city uses YouSendIt primarily to send contracts with large engineering diagrams and to deliver software updates to city end users, a spokeswoman said.

People

NYC office hires firm to help train criminal justice workers

Crossflo will help teach more employees how to manage data in accordance with information-sharing standards.

People

9/11 bill plugs holes

Legislation containing provisions to shore up homeland security weaknesses awaits the president’s signature.

People

Feds promise states $1 billion

Money could start to flow to localities for interoperable communications.

People

Working group to study e-democracy efforts

An international organization wants to know how online meetings can boost citizen participation in government.

Digital Government

Massachusetts approves use of Office Open XML

State agencies can now use OOXML and the OpenDocument Format.

People

State fusion centers struggle to produce useful info, study finds

The report, by the Congressional Research Service, cited problems with the centers’ lack of connectivity with existing law enforcement databases and poor compliance with federally backed technical data-sharing standards.