WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, together with U.S. Representatives Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Chris Van Hollen, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Donna F. Edwards and John Delaney (all D-Md.) today announced $80,619,955 in emergency preparedness grants for Maryland from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The grants, awarded by the DHS Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will help Maryland prepare for and respond to emergencies.

“One of the most basic functions of government is to protect and prevent citizens from being harmed,” said Senator Cardin. “These federal funds elevate the safety and preparedness of communities throughout Maryland, and give the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have a federal partner as committed to their mission as they are.”

“These grants get us one step closer to keeping Maryland safe, standing up for our first responders and making sure that if terror strikes, measures are in place to protect and save lives,” said Senator Mikulski, Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which puts money in the federal checkbook for these grant programs. “I will never stop fighting for our first responders as they protect our safety here at home. I will keep standing up to protect institutions that are vital to our communities and the physical, social, spiritual and educational well-being of all Americans.”

“I’m pleased that these grants will help Maryland prepare, respond to, and protect our state against terrorist attacks and major disasters,” said Congressman Steny Hoyer. “This funding is critically important to ensuring that Marylanders are protected during an emergency. It also gives our dedicated first responders the resources they need to keep our communities safe.”

“Maryland will be a safer place because of these grants, which will ensure that our first responders have the resources they need to protect Marylanders and save lives,” Congressman Cummings said. “I thank the Department of Homeland Security and the Obama Administration for their continued commitment to Maryland and our brave first responders.”

“These grants will ensure the National Capital Region and high-risk sites across Maryland are protected and prepared in the event of a disaster,” said Congressman Van Hollen. “From our transportation infrastructure to organizations at a high risk of being targets, we need to be a step ahead of those who would commit acts of terror in our communities. This funding will help keep Marylanders safe.”

“From the Port of Baltimore to our Maryland transit system to our respected faith institutions, the federal government wants to ensure all of our local at-risk facilities are completely prepared for any potential emergencies and this DHS funding will help bridge the gap in this important endeavor,” Congressman Ruppersberger said.

“This significant investment in our safety and security will ensure that Maryland’s first responders have the resources and training they need to protect our local communities,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “Importantly, this grant funding includes millions of dollars to safeguard the City and Port of Baltimore from terrorist activity. I’m pleased to see these important federal resources made available to our great city.”

“These federal grants will help many of our county, regional, and state institutions develop plans and put resources in place to respond in case of emergency,” Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards said. “It is important that we prepare ahead of time to protect our communities and provide our first responders the tools necessary to help save lives. This level of emergency preparation in our state must remain ongoing, and I look forward to continue working with Team Maryland in that effort.”

“These grants deliver federal resources to local communities to help make Maryland safer,” said Congressman Delaney. “As part of the National Capital Region and home to a major international port, Maryland faces unique national security and anti-terrorism challenges and these grants will help protect our communities.”

The grants, announced today by DHS, range in size and scope. They include $537,391 in federal funding awarded through the to help protect Baltimore-area high-risk non-profit institutions from terrorist attacks. The grant, awarded by the DHS Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program, funds activities to help nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack undertake emergency preparedness activities.

A full list of the grant awards is as follows:

• Transit Security Grants: to enhance security measures at critical transit infrastructure points
• Maryland Transit Authority – $1,160,694
• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority – $4,318,991
• State Homeland Security Grant: $6,153,500 to Maryland to support the implementation of State Homeland Security Strategies
• Urban Security Area Initiative Grant: to address the unique security needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas
• Baltimore Region – $5.5 million
• National Capital Region – $54 million
• Emergency Management Performance Grant: $6,513,279 to assist in preparing for all hazards in Maryland
• Port Security Grant: to implement Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans
• AMPORTS, INC – $25,000
• Charles County Government – $12,736
• Charlestown Fire Company – $476,250
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources – $1,210,767
• Maryland Department of State Police – $401,745
• Maryland Department of Transportation – MPA – $198,750
• Ports America Chesapeake LLC – $31,749
• Prince George’s County Police Department – $32,044
• Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant: for preparedness activities for nonprofit organizations at high risk of terrorist attacks
• Baltimore Region
• Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation – $63,600
• Congregation Kneseth Israel – $75,000
• Jewish Community Center of Baltimore – $45,000
• New Israel Rabbinical College – $75,000
• Temple Isaiah – $66,291
• Torah Institute of Baltimore – $75,000
• National Capital Region
• Congregation Har Tzeon-Agudath Achin – $62,500
• Islamic Center of Maryland – $75,000
• Intercity Bus Security Grant: to create a sustainable program for the protection of intercity bus systems and the traveling public from terrorism
• AP Xpress Bus Company, Inc. –  $8,897
• Eyre Bus Service, Inc. – $38,162

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