Virginia’s First Responders Get $33.6 Million
The Office for National Capital Region Coordination at the Department of Homeland Security has annouunced the awarding of $33,683,000 to the Commonwealth of Virginia to enhance the capabilities of the state and local first responder groups.
The funds can be used for equipment, training, planning and exercises for first responders. In addition, a portion of the funds is available to help offset the costs associated with enhanced security measures deployed under the heightened threat period during the conflict in Iraq.
Recent DHS Office for Domestic Preparedness Grant Funds for Virginia include:
— March 7, 2003 – $12.71 million from the FY ’03 Budget to assist first responders in the form of funding for equipment, training, planning and exercises. This money was awarded on May 9, 2003.
–April 8, 2003 – $18.20 million was made available from the FY ’03 Budget as part of the Urban Area Security Initiative for the National Capital Region to enhance the security of its population and critical infrastructure.
–May 14, 2003 – $42.4 million was allocated from the FY ’03 Supplemental Budget as part of the urban area security initiative for the National Capital Region to enhance the ability of the region’s first responders to secure its population and critical infrastructure.
–May 14, 2003 – $6.6 million was allocated from the FY ’03 Supplemental Budget for the Port of Hampton Roads.These funds can be used for critical infrastructure security, training, exercises, equipment, planning, information sharing and for operational activities conducted under the heightened threat period.
Previous DHS Office for Domestic Preparedness Grants for Virginia Include:
–FY 2003 State Homeland Security Grant Program (Equipment) = $ 8,924,000
–FY 2003 State Homeland Security Grant Program (Exercise) = $2,231,000
–FY 2003 State Homeland Security Grant Program (Training) = $669,000
–FY 2003 State Homeland Security Grant Program (Planning) = $892,000
–FY 2002 State Equipment Grant = $6,749,000
–FY 2002 State Exercise Grant = $313,000
–FY 2001 State Equipment Grant = $1,788,000
–FY 2000 State Equipment Grant = $1,688,000
–FY 1999 State Equipment Grant = $1,039,000
–FY 1999 State Planning Grant = $182,000
–Arlington NLD OJP Equipment Grant = $280,000
–Fairfax County FY1998 OJP Equipment Grant = $249,759
–Fairfax County FY1999 OJP Equipment Grant = $300,000
–Norfolk FY1999 OJP Equipment Grant = $100,000
–Virginia Beach FY1999 OJP Equipment Grant = $100,000
–Richmond NLD OJP Equipment Grant = $280,000
FEMA awards granted to Virginia Since March 1, 2003 total $4,162,861 include:
–$3,698,780 for Emergency Management Program Grants
–$422,156 for Community Emergency Response Teams grants
–$41,925 for a Secure Room for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management in Richmond.
The Department of Homeland Security has made available more than $4.4 billion nationwide in funding for grants since March 1, 2003 for first responder groups and state and local governments to enhance response and preparedness capabilities.