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When wildfires strike, firefighters are called upon to tame massive blazes, often without the benefit of significant financial support. That could change if a recent proposal from President Barack Obama is approved. The potential budgetary plan would allow the U.S. Forest Service and Department of the Interior to access a FEMA disaster fund for aid when fighting the largest wildfires.

Ed Murray, the mayor of Seattle, recently declared that 2014 will be a year of training for police officers in the city. Local officials worked with federal agencies to come up with a plan that would address past problems in protocol, and many of the proposed changes are going into effect this year.

In advance of President Barack Obama's 2015 State of the Union address, the White House provided the public with "spoilers" prior to the speech. This is unusual; new proposals are kept secret until the last minute as a political tactic to maximize the power of the speech. From free community college to enhanced cybersecurity protocols, a few of these issues will have direct impact on our nation's first responders - See more at: http://www.envisagenow.com/state-of-the-union-previews-key-initiatives-to-watch-in-2015/#sthash.e4hRNXDg.H5qYVkri.dpuf

Through the first half of fiscal year 2015, the Department of Justice distributed $505 million in grants to law enforcement agencies. Since each grant serves a distinct purpose, departments are required to follow specific guidelines both as part of the application process and after funding begins. Local precincts and sheriff's offices are advised to anticipate the depth and bureaucracy that accompanies such opportunities by thoroughly understanding how grants work and how they benefit law enforcement operations.