WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) Monday announced $69,536,494 in emergency preparedness grants for the National Capital Region and Maryland from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In addition, Maryland jurisdictions were designated as eligible to apply for millions more through competitive grants aimed at protecting critical infrastructure, such as transit and ports, from terrorism.
“Protecting Americans from harm is one of the most basic functions of government. And strong partnerships between federal, state and local governments are the most effective ways we have to be successful,” said Senator Cardin. “These federal funds form a safety net of preparedness in every corner of Maryland and they help our first responders have the resources they need to carry out their mission and secure our communities.”
“Protecting our homeland requires partnership and coordination from all stakeholders. These federal resources will help our state and local governments work better together to safeguard our communities,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees. “I will continue fighting to ensure that here in Maryland and across the country we have the necessary resources to detect and prevent threats against our security.”
The grants announced today include the following:
- State Homeland Security Grant: planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.
Maryland – $6,153,500
- Urban Security Area Initiative Grant: to address the unique security needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas
Baltimore Region – $4,000,000
National Capital Region – $52,750,000
- Emergency Management Performance Grant: to assist state and local governments in preparing for all hazards
Maryland – $6,482,994
- Nonprofit Security Grant: support for physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack
Baltimore Region $150,000
In addition to the above allocations, jurisdictions in the National Capital Area and Maryland now are eligible to apply for the following competitive grant programs provided by the Department of Homeland Security:
Port Security Grant Program – provides $100 million for transportation infrastructure security activities to implement Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans and facility security plans among port authorities, facility operators, and State and local government agencies required to provide port security services.
Transit Security Grant Program – provides $88 million to the Nation’s High-Threat Urban Areas for enhancement of security measures at critical transit infrastructure including bus, ferry, and rail systems. Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation, and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
Intercity Passenger Rail (Amtrak) Program – provides $10 million to Amtrak to develop security enhancements for eligible intercity passenger rail operations.
Intercity Bus Security Grant Program – Provides $2 million to owners and operators of intercity bus systems to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure.
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