IUP is pleased to announce that Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA 9th) has led the effort to secure language in the House Armed Services Committee passed fiscal year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that support the nation's defense through the National Guard civil support team's (CST) information management system.
The NDAA is comprehensive annual legislation that authorizes the budget authority of the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. The bill establishes funding levels and sets policies under which money will be spent.
The National Guard Civil Support Team's (CST) information management system, created by IUP and deployed to all fifty states and territories by the National Guard provides a common operating picture, promotes information sharing and real-time collaboration in an emergency situation, and supports the CST mission of assisting and advising first responders and facilitating communications with other Federal resources across the nation.
Congressman Shuster supported language that will help strengthen and adapt existing communication capabilities to follow-on forces and will increase interoperability and efficiently use prior investments to expand and enhance communication capability.
Recently, this communication platform was a component of the National Guard CST response to the Texas fertilizer plant explosion.
“This program is critical to the nation's defense and security, and we thank Congressman Shuster for his leadership in this area,” said Dr. Michael Driscoll, President of IUP.
This legislation still needs to pass the full House of Representative and then be conferenced with the Senate version of the NDAA before being signed by the President.
“I am pleased with IUP's success in developing the Civil Support Team Information Management System,” said Congressman Shuster. “This program eliminates critical gaps that exist between local first responders and follow-on state and federal forces to ensure a fully secure America.”