Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge recently announced the recipients of $1.66 billion in grants to states and an additional $855 million in grants to urban areas to fund first responders and support state and local resources necessary to prevent, respond and recover from acts of terrorism and other disasters. Totaling over $2.5 billion in direct assistance to state and local governments for their preparedness and planning needs, these funds augment the nearly $9 billion already delivered to state and local governments and first responders since the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
«This funding enhances the preparedness of the entire nation while targeting resources where they are needed most,» said Secretary Ridge. «We have implemented a national strategy for homeland security that includes shared responsibility and accountability in equipping our frontline first responders with the resources they need to protect our citizens. The continuing maturation of our grants programs, streamlined distribution process and greater accountability measures will ensure that, with this new allocation of over $2.5 billion, we are even better enhancing the capabilities of our nation’s first responders to prevent terrorism and respond to emergencies. State and local jurisdictions can expect even more support in the coming months, as we announce further awards in port security, mass transit security and assistance to fire fighters.»
Under the state Homeland Security Grant Program, each state, territory and the District of Columbia receives a portion of the $1.66 billion in grants based on a formula consisting of a baseline amount plus the population of the state or territory. The funding is used for equipment, training, planning and exercises. The Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) provides additional resources to those areas with greater security needs by allocating $855 million in a formula that considers a number of factors including population and population density; critical infrastructure; threat information; formal mutual aid cooperation; and law enforcement investigations and enforcement activity.
