SCHUMER ANNOUNCES OVER $48,000 IN DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY PREPAREDNESS GRANTS COMING TO OSWEGO TO STRENGTHEN READINESS FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS AND MAJOR DISASTER, ENHANCE SAFETY
DHS Funds Will Help Protect Critical Infrastructure Facilities and Transit Systems, Increase Preparedness for Major Disasters, Terrorist Attacks and Other Emergencies
Funding Will Go To Port Security in Oswego County
Schumer: Preparedness Grants Are Essential for Oswego and Vital for the Safety of Our Citizens
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allocated a total of $48,589 for Oswego through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Preparedness Grant program. A total of $970 million nationwide will assist state, local and tribal governments and private industry in strengthening community preparedness. The funding will help strengthen Oswego's ability to prevent, protect, respond and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters or other emergencies.
"I have fought long and hard to secure homeland security money for Oswego and its port. These grants are a winwin for all of Central New York," said Schumer. "This funding will help make our police departments more prepared to deal with a terrorist attack, major disaster or any other statewide emergency. The bottom line is that these programs will help keep us safer and that is what matters most."
The Department of Homeland Security has been working to establish the foundation for future preparedness initiatives by building baseline capabilities within states and increasing crossborder and regional preparedness. The FY 2009 Preparedness Grants will help promote these efforts by focusing on improving strategic planning and preparedness and measuring performance.
There are a total of ten different DHS grant programs that protect critical infrastructure facilities and transit systems. Together, these grants fund a range of preparedness activities, including strengthening infrastructure against explosive attacks, preparedness, planning, equipment purchase, training, exercises, security management and administration costs.
Grant program allocations for Oswego for FY 2009 include:
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Port Security Grant Program (PSGP)
- A total of $48,589 to protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness and risk management capabilities to protect against improvised explosive devices and other nonconventional weapons; and to conduct training and exercises and support implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
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The Oswego City Police Department will receive $24,389
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The Sprague Energy Corp. will receive $24,200
Further information on preparedness grant programs is available at
www.dhs.gov and
www.fema.gov/grants.
