Wednesday, December 9, 2015

New York Receives $4.5 Million in Grants for Enhanced Homeland Security Protections

 
Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand and members of the New York Congressional Delegation today announced $4.5 million in federal grants has been awarded to municipalities across New York State to support multiple homeland security efforts that include the strengthening anti-terrorism programs, the enhancement of emergency preparedness and the expansion of critical infrastructure protections.

"We know all too well the threat posed by terrorism and recent events have only further demonstrated the need for our first responders to have the resources to respond swiftly and effectively to emergency situations," Governor Cuomo said. "This administration remains committed to ensuring these brave men and women are fully prepared to keep New Yorkers safe in every corner of the state."

"As we continue to fight terrorism abroad and at home, local law enforcement should have every resource available to keep our communities safe," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "This critical funding will help our local law enforcement protect and prevent against terrorism throughout the state and I'll continue fighting for these federal resources to help New York law enforcement be prepared."
Funding for these programs was made available by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the State Homeland Security Program. The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services manages these programs in close coordination with local stakeholders.
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner John P. Melville said, "New York's first responders play a vital role in keeping citizens safe from harm. These grants will go a long way toward helping the state achieve the Governor’s preparedness goals to have the best trained and prepared first responders in the country."

Tactical Team Grant Program -- $2 Million
The Tactical Team Grant Program enhances the ability of localities with tactical teams to respond to active shooter events and other counter terrorism missions. To ensure consistency statewide, strong emphasis is placed on the local teams' attainment and sustainment of the New York State standards for Tactical/SWAT Teams. Eligible applicants could apply for up to $100,000 per team to fund certain equipment, training, exercise, and planning costs that are consistent with the attainment and/or sustainment of these New York State standards.  

    Grantee
    Region
    Funding Amount
    Albany PD, City of
    Capital Region
    $100,000
    Binghamton PD, City of
    Southern Tier
    $99,300
    Eastchester PD, Town of (Village of Tuckahoe PD and Village of Pelham PD
    Hudson Valley Region
    $100,000
    Clarkstown PD, Town of
    Hudson Valley Region
    $100,000
    Colonie PD, Town of
    Capital Region
    $100,000
    Erie County Sheriff's Office
    Western New York
    $100,000
    Gloversville PD, City of (Johnstown PD)
    Mohawk Valley Region
    $100,000
    Greene County (Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson PD)
    Capital Region
    $100,000
    Ithaca PD, City of (Thompkins County Sheriff's Office)
    Southern Tier Region
    $100,000
    Madison County Sheriff's Office (Cortland County Sheriff’s Office and Chenango County Sheriff's Office)
    Central/Southern Tier
    $100,000
    Monroe County Sheriff's Office
    Finger Lakes Region
    $52,840
    Onondaga County Sheriff's Office
    Central New York
    $100,000
    Nassau County PD
    Long Island Region
    $100,000
    Niagara County Sheriff's Office (Lockport PD)
    Western New York
    $100,000
    North Tonawanda PD
    Western New York
    $80,620
    Orange County Sheriff's Office
    Hudson Valley Region
    $100,000
    Rochester PD, City of
    Finger Lakes Region
    $99,980
    Troy PD, City of
    Capital Region
    $100,000
    Utica PD, City of
    Mohawk Valley
    $100,000
    White Plains Public Safety
    Hudson Valley
    $100,000
    Suffolk County PD
    Long Island Region
    $67,260

Technical Rescue & Urban Search and Rescue Grant Program -- $2 Million
The State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has allocated $2 million to support the Technical Rescue & Urban Search and Rescue Grant Program. Eligible teams could request up to $150,000 to sustain and advance their capabilities in a variety of areas including structural collapse/urban search and rescue, trench rescue, confined space rescue, Swiftwater rescue and rope rescue. Specific emphasis is placed on the development of regional partnership[s to efficiently enhance response operations. Through targeted planning, equipment acquisition, training and exercise activities, these grant funds will be used to enhance the ability of these teams to save lives during disasters.

Grantee
Capability Focus
Award Amount
    (Town of ) Allegany Fire District
    Swiftwater
    $23,411
    Arlington Fire District
    Structural Collapse
    $134,525
    Auburn, City of
    Swiftwater
    $92,000
    Cayuga County
    Rope Rescue
    $99,070
    Columbia County
    Rope Rescue
    $150,000
    Cortland, City of
    Confined Space
    $99,249
    Cortland County
    Swiftwater
    $142,972
    Elmira, City of
    Confined Space
    $96,000
    Erie County
    Rope Rescue
    $121,000
    Franklin County
    Swiftwater
    $39,750
    Madison County
    Structural Collapse
    $64,250
    New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
    Swiftwater
    $99,720
    Orange County
    Structural Collapse
    $148,083
    Port Jervis, City of
    Swiftwater
    $12,133
    Putnam County
    Rope Rescue
    $150,000
    Schoharie County
    Swiftwater
    $40,000
    Slingerlands Fire District
    Swiftwater
    $119,363
    Tannersville, Village of
    Rope Rescue
    $150,000
    Troy, City of
    Structural Collapse
    $149,856
    Yorktown Heights Fire District
    Swiftwater
    $68,618

 Critical Infrastructure -- $500,000
The Critical Infrastructure Grant Program is focused on enhancing security at government owned critical infrastructure sites, at special events, and at seasonal at-risk locations in New York State. To be eligible for funding, first responders must have a completed assessment of their capability to prevent and protect against attacks on the site. Up to $50,000 in grant funding is applied to mitigate vulnerabilities identified in the risk and capability assessments.

Grantee
Region
Award Amount
    Albany PD, City of
    Capital Region
    $50,000
    Buffalo PD, City of
    Western New York
    $50,000
    Clarkstown PD, Town of
    Hudson Valley Region
    $50,000
    Erie County Emergency Services
    Western New York
    $42,474
    Monroe County Office of Emergency Management
    Western New York
    $49,000
    Nassau County PD
    Long Island
    $50,000
    Niagara County Emergency Management Office
    Western New York
    $49,000
    Suffolk County PD
    Long Island
    $50,000
    Wayne County Emergency Management Office
    Western New York
    $50,000
    Yonkers PD, City of
    New York City Region
    $9,526
    Yonkers Public Works, City of
    New York City Region
    $50,000

Congressman Charles B. Rangel said, "I applaud Governor Cuomo's announcement of additional $4.5 million in grants to police departments throughout our great State New York. With escalation of shootings throughout the country, it is essential that our law enforcement officials have the proper training and equipment to keep people safe."

Congressman Eliot Engel, the ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said, "We must do everything in our power to protect our home State. In 2009, the FBI foiled a terrorist plot in my district, and in my capacity as Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs, I am all too familiar with the threat posed by terrorism. In light of that reality, we need to ensure our local law enforcement agencies have the funds and support necessary to face these dangerous challenges. Governor Cuomo's allocation of $4.5 million in federal Homeland Security grants will do just that, by enhancing both the capabilities of local tactical teams and the security at government-owned infrastructure throughout New York. I thank Governor Cuomo for his efforts, and I am certain the communities like Yonkers and Eastchester, which are receiving these vital funds, will put them to good use."

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey said, "The safety and security of residents in the Lower Hudson Valley must be a top priority. These federal grants will enable local law enforcement and public safety officials in Westchester and Rockland to protect our communities. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue fighting for federal investments that help keep our families safe and secure."  

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

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