Latest news with #ArlingtonCountyBoard
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arlington launches new 911 protocols for dispatchers to enhance response efficiency
ARLINGTON, Va. () — Arlington County is taking a new approach to its Emergency Communications Center (ECC) to improve response effectiveness for 911 calls. The county announced Friday that it will implement the Priority Dispatch System () for all medical emergencies, fires and police calls. This new protocol standardizes call-taking and response that guide dispatchers through every emergency. Youngkin calls Arlington County Board's ICE policy a 'dereliction of duty' Officials noted that the advanced dispatch system marks a significant step forward to ensure efficiency, high-quality and consistent responses for a variety of calls. The new enhancements on the PDS include: Improved Response Efficiency: Emergency responders receive critical information faster and more accurately. Consistent Call Handling: All callers receive the same high standard of care, regardless of the situation or dispatcher. Life-Saving Pre-Arrival Instructions: Dispatchers can provide medically approved guidance over the phone before first responders arrive, including CPR, bleeding control, and childbirth support. Better Resource Management: Calls are prioritized based on severity, helping reduce strain on emergency services and ensuring critical incidents get the fastest response. 'We're proud to join the growing number of agencies nationwide using this gold-standard system,' said Jacob Saur, ECC Administrator. 'An important thing for residents to remember is that as soon as the dispatcher has identified the location and main issue—what we call the Chief Complaint—help is being dispatched right away. Help is already on the way, so do not be worried as the dispatcher may continue with further questioning.' The county said 911 dispatchers have completed extensive training and are ready to handle over 80,000 calls that come in each year. The ECC will launch the new protocols for medical and fire calls this month. The new protocols for police calls will begin in July. With the new system in place, all callers are encouraged to remain calm and listen carefully when calling 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OPSWAT Opens New Cybersecurity Lab and Office in Arlington, VA
Critical infrastructure protection leader expands federal presence and national commitment to cybersecurity in the National Capital Region ARLINGTON, Va., May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OPSWAT, a global leader in critical infrastructure protection (CIP), has officially opened the doors to its new Arlington, Virginia office and state-of-the-art CIP cybersecurity lab. The expansion deepens OPSWAT's commitment to U.S. federal cybersecurity while reinforcing its support for the broader national security and economic ecosystem. The grand opening featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Virginia State Senator Barbara Favola (District 40), with further remarks by Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karontonis and Kate Bates, President and CEO of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. In addition, representatives from federal agencies, regional tech companies, and public sector leaders were in attendance. "This is more than a new office—it's a reaffirmation of our mission to protect the critical infrastructure that keeps our nation running," said Benny Czarny, Founder and CEO of OPSWAT. "With our roots in federally-funded innovation and a growing portfolio of federal clients, Arlington is the right place for our next chapter." Key Highlights: OPSWAT was founded in the U.S. in 2002 and continues to grow its domestic workforce, with local hiring in the Washington, D.C. area. U.S.-based manufacturing and a reliable national supply chain support all federal-focused products. Revenue has grown at a rate of more than 35% year over year since 2023. OPSWAT solutions help federal agencies achieve strong cybersecurity outcomes with fewer resources—especially vital as budgets tighten. Federal-Focused Solutions Include: Network Detection & Response (NDR): Automated threat, breach, and exfiltration detection with full network visibility. Fend Data Diodes: Rugged communication devices for secure, one-way data exfiltration from critical networks, operational technology, and legacy platforms. MetaDefender NetWall®: Secure, unidirectional gateways for safe data exchange between networks of varying classification levels. MetaDefender InSights: Real-time intelligence on indicators of compromise (IOCs), command-and-control (C2) infrastructure, and adversary activity. The Arlington expansion is a natural evolution following OPSWAT's acquisitions of Fend and InQuest—two cybersecurity innovators born from U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Defense challenges. Together, they reflect OPSWAT's deep understanding of government needs and its ability to translate that into deployable, commercial-grade technology. "This is the perfect time to be here in Washington, D.C.," added Czarny. "We're proud to support not only federal agencies, but also the broader economy—from tech innovators to manufacturers—who all play a part in securing America's future." About OPSWAT For the last 20 years OPSWAT, a global leader in IT, OT, and ICS critical infrastructure cybersecurity based in the U.S., has continuously evolved an end-to-end solutions platform that gives public and private sector organizations and enterprises the critical advantage needed to protect their complex networks and ensure compliance. Empowered by a "Trust no file. Trust no device™." philosophy, OPSWAT solves customers' challenges around the world with zero-trust solutions and patented technologies across every level of their infrastructure, securing their networks, data, and devices, and preventing known and unknown threats, zero-day attacks, and malware. Discover how OPSWAT protects the world's critical infrastructure and helps secure our way of life; visit OPSWAT Media ContactKat LewisVP of Global Marketing & Communications4155907300395241@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE OPSWAT Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Youngkin calls Arlington County Board's ICE policy a ‘dereliction of duty'
ARLINGTON, Va. () — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) condemned the Arlington County Board's recent move prohibiting local police from cooperating with ICE, calling it a 'betrayal.' On Tuesday, the board unanimously voted to take language out of its '' meaning county law enforcement cannot proactively contact federal immigration authorities about any issue involving undocumented immigrants. Arlington County Board votes to prohibit police from contacting ICE One of the concerns from immigration lawyers and board members that sparked this change is that immigrants have been afraid to report crimes to police for fear of being deported. 'The rhetoric and actions of this administration have led to tremendous stress and fear in our community, and we want to make sure all residents feel safe in engaging with local government, particularly with local law enforcement, ' Takis Karantonis, chair of the Arlington County Board, . 'The County continues to follow state and federal law, but neither requires us to have Section 7. The County has always held that immigration enforcement is the sole and exclusive responsibility of the federal government, and this decision remains consistent with that understanding.' People opposed to the policy change, however, said the move makes the community less safe. 'It's not the American way': Dozens protest outside Supreme Court as judges hear arguments on birthright citizenship order Youngkin took to Thursday evening to voice his opposition to the action, saying, in part, that it's a 'dereliction of duty and a betrayal of the oath they swore to protect their constituents.' 'At what point did protecting violent illegal immigrants become more important than protecting your constituents,' he wrote. DC News Now reached out to the Arlington County Board for a statement in regard to Youngkin's post but did not hear back in time for publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arlington residents raise concerns over Green Valley redevelopment project
ARLINGTON, Va. () — Arlington residents are raising concerns about a major redevelopment project they say could push Black families out of a historically-Black neighborhood. The Green Valley redevelopment project aims to turn two hotels on South Glebe Road into residential units, creating 531 residential units and townhouses. But, some Black residents in the area say most of the units would be unaffordable. US Senators from Maryland, Virginia demand return of Maryland man mistakenly deported 'The number of affordable units to this project is … a pittance,' said Arlington resident Frederick Craddock. 'It's really embarrassing when you look at it.' Renderings show the Green Valley redevelopment project would bring 494 units, 37 townhouses and 549 parking spaces to 2480 South Glebe Road. The developers plan to make only nine of the units affordable. 'The expected income needed to purchase here, which I referenced before, is about $119,000,' said Anne Bodine with Arlingtonians for a Sustainable Future. 'And this shows you that [the] average African-American income in Arlington and the average Hispanic household income do not meet the need of requirements to qualify.' Residents are also concerned that the proposed nine-story complex would impact traffic and overshadow the historic right next door. 'By allowing the developer to say, well, 'we'll have this level of affordable housing. We'll make a $2 million contribution to the affordable housing fund. And also we'll provide some other things like public art, some open space,'' said Rev. Adrian Nelson II with the church. 'Those are all things that are considered to be a community benefit, but they're not really a major benefit to those who live in this community.' The Arlington County Board released a statement saying, in part, 'The Board heard from dozens of members of our community … the Board decided to defer to the upcoming Wednesday Board meeting to provide more time to deliberate and discuss.' Venable LLP, which represents the developers of the project, also released a statement saying: We have been working hard to further a compatible design with the project architect Hord Coplan Macht. Having started the dialogue with major local stakeholders back in November 2023, we are committed to continuing to work closely with all community members to deliver a viable project that provides significant benefits to the local area. The developers all share a commitment to delivering extraordinary properties, and will continue to meet or exceed Arlington County's requirements for the redevelopment of the 5.5 acres. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
White House denies a military parade is scheduled for Trump's birthday
The White House is denying reports that it plans to hold a military parade in Washington on President Donald Trump's birthday in June — though local officials have been in contact with the administration about a celebration. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and Takis Karantonis, the chair of Virginia's Arlington County Board, on Monday confirmed discussions with administration officials about plans for a military parade this summer. A local newspaper, Washington City Paper, reported that the parade would be held on June 14, which happens to be the birthday of both the U.S. Army and Trump. Bowser said the plans appeared to be calling for a 'military' parade that would stretch from the Pentagon to the White House, and noted that the use of heavy equipment would likely cause millions in damage to Washington's streets — a concern that emerged when Trump floated the idea in his first term. But the administration says any concerns are premature. 'No military parade has been scheduled,' the White House said in an email response to questions from POLITICO. Both Bowser and Karantonis said the parade plans appeared to be in the preliminary stages. The mayor told reporters that administration officials had contacted Washington's special events task force while Karantonis said in a statement that the Secret Service had reached out to the county to begin discussions of security for a parade. Trump directed the Pentagon to explore staging a military parade in the nation's capital in his first term, after witnessing Bastille Day celebrations in Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron in July 2017. 'I don't know. We're gonna have to try and top it,' he said later, 'but we had a lot of planes going over and a lot of military might, and it was really a beautiful thing to see.' The reaction in Congress and around Washington was frosty. Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy criticized the plan, saying 'insecurity is loud.' Also critical were prominent Democrats, including Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Army combat veteran, and Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, a West Point graduate who now serves as ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. When Trump canceled the planned parade in August 2018, accusing city officials of price gouging, Bowser responded on Twitter, 'Yup, I'm Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, the local politician who finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities ($21.6M) of parades/events/demonstrations in Trump America (sad).' Bowser is again warning about costs for a parade this June. 'Military tanks on our streets would not be good,' she said. 'If military tanks were used, they should be accompanied with many millions of dollars to repair the roads.' Karantonis urged the White House to balance the pomp of any public event against the uncertainty many families in Arlington County are dealing with as a result of broad cuts to the federal workforce instituted by the DOGE Initiative. 'At this time, it is not clear to me what the scope of the parade would be,' Karantonis said. 'But I would hope the Federal Government remains sensitive to the pain and concerns of numerous active military and veteran residents, who have lost or might lose their jobs in recent federal decisions, as they reflect on how best to celebrate the Army's anniversary.'
