Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano yesterday announced more than $1.8 billion in fiscal year 2010 Federal Emergency Management Agency preparedness grants to help states, urban areas, tribal governments and nonprofit organizations boost their protection, prevention, response and recovery capabilities for risks associated with potential terrorist attacks and other hazards.
Napolitano said the funding will pay for training firefighters, medics and police officers, support the purchase of equipment essential to first responders, and improve communication ability during disasters.
“These investments have a direct impact on communities across our country as we work together to build, sustain and improve the resilience of our families, businesses and neighborhoods,†she said.
The Homeland Security Grant Program is the department’s primary funding mechanism for building and sustaining national preparedness capabilities to help strengthen the nation against the risks associated with potential terrorist attacks and other hazards. Additionally, 80 percent of Operation Stonegarden funding will go to Southwest border states. DHS also increased tribal funding from $1.8 million in FY 2009 to $10 million in the following year.
The Preparedness Grant Program Allocations for 2010 include $1.78 billion for the Homeland Security Grant Program; $10 million for the Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program; $19 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program; and more than $33.6 million for the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program.
