H.R. 5615: To amend title 32, United States Code, to establish the FireGuard Program as a program of record of the National Guard.

This bill aims to create a formal program called the FireGuard Program within the National Guard. Here are the key components of the legislation:

Establishment of the FireGuard Program

The bill amends an existing section of the United States Code, specifically Section 510 of title 32, to establish the FireGuard Program as an officially recognized initiative. It specifies that the program will not just be suggested or optional but rather required, shifting the language from "may" to "shall."

Program Requirements and Briefings

Under the proposed law:

• The Secretary of the National Guard will be mandated to provide annual briefings about the FireGuard Program for five consecutive years.
• These briefings will report to the Committees on Armed Services in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Contents of the Annual Briefings

The annual briefings will include the following information:

• A list of States, counties, municipalities, and Tribal governments that received information through the FireGuard Program.
• A comparative analysis of wildfire maps showing:
• The areas of each wildfire initially provided to local entities through the FireGuard Program.
• The boundaries of those wildfires after they have been contained.
• An analysis detailing the time lapse between when a fire is detected via satellite data and when alerts are sent to local responders.
• A review of efforts to integrate new technologies for satellite and aerial surveillance from various sources, including private companies, non-profits, and public organizations.

Duration of the Program

The FireGuard Program is set to terminate on December 31, 2031, unless further legislation extends it.

Clerical Changes

The bill also makes minor clerical changes to the relevant section headings in the law to reflect these updates.

Relevant Companies

• GOOGL - Alphabet Inc.: As a leading provider of satellite data and mapping technology, Google's resources could be utilized in the FireGuard Program for detection and monitoring of wildfires.
• AIR - Airborne Environmental Solutions: A company specializing in aerial surveillance and technology which may potentially participate in the program through technology integration.
• CSCO - Cisco Systems, Inc.: Known for networking solutions, Cisco's technology might support data transmission and communication two local responders.