The Briefing came during a month when substantial monies had been appropriated by Congress for First Responders, when a special supplemental spending bill for First Responders was pending before Congress, and when billions more were proposed in the federal 2004 budget. Congressional officials provided the latest information on funding for First Responders and homeland security.

The forum also featured an exclusive panel on First Responder programs and contracts, providing invaluable insight into spending priorities, procurement procedures, new state and local programs, technology needs of First Responders, and chem/bio preparedness and response. Executives from America's top companies summarized their latest First Responder capabilities.