Over $5 Million in Federal Homeland Security Grants For Counter Terrorism and Public Safety Initiatives Across the State

Federal funding will strengthen tactical, rescue and explosive detection efforts.

Photo by: Governor's Press Office.

Albany, NY - March 7, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Members of the New York Congressional Delegation today announced over $5 million in federal Homeland Security grant funding for local governments across the state to bolster counter terrorism initiatives and strengthen public safety efforts. Funding will support local law enforcement tactical teams, technical search and rescue operations, and explosive detection canine units, while also safeguarding critical infrastructure across New York.

"This funding is essential to ensuring New York's local law enforcement and emergency response teams are prepared, trained and equipped with the tools and experience needed to protect this state," Governor Cuomo said. "These grants support state-of-the-art training and defense tactics and I commend New York's Congressional delegation for their partnership in securing this funding to help keep New Yorkers safe."

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner John Melville said, "Providing local governments with the funds necessary to support the public safety of the communities they serve is essential to keeping our residents, and those who visit our state, safe. These programs allow our first responders to enhance their abilities to protect life and property."

The funding, administered by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, will support four key areas of proactive defense:

Tactical Team Targeted Grant Program
The State is allocating $2.97 million in funding to 30 organizations through the Tactical Team grant program, which focuses on sustaining, maintaining, and improving teams that are currently in action. Funding aims to enhance existing capabilities, specifically for improvised explosive device or counter terrorism missions. This is being done through the implementation of adopted statewide standards, set forth by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Active teams with more than 15 members responding to calls for service outside of a correctional setting were eligible to apply for up to $100,000 in funding. Teams with at least 10 members and an agreement with the Division of Criminal Justice Services to meet the 15 member requirement, were also eligible to apply for this funding.

Fiscal Year 2016 Tactical Team Targeted grant program awardees are:

Technical Rescue and Urban Search and Rescue Grant Program
The State is allocating over $1 million in funding to eight organizations through the competitive Technical Rescue and Urban Search and Rescue grant program. Funding helps local emergency response teams enhance capabilities related to structural collapse, trench, confined space, and rope rescue response operations. Teams that provide these services could apply for grant funds for certain equipment, planning, exercise and training costs to further enhance their team’s ability to respond to acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.

Fiscal Year 2016 Technical Rescue and Urban Search and Rescue grant program awardees are:

Explosive Detection Canine Grant Program
The State is allocating $642,776 in funding to 22 local law enforcement agencies to build or maintain an Explosive Detection Canine Team. This marks the 8th consecutive year that New York has provided dedicated federal homeland security funding to build and sustain local explosive detection canine teams. More than $3.6 million has been allocated to support this program since its inception.

The purpose of the grant program is to provide up to $50,000 in funding to successful applicants for the development of an explosive detection team or up to $15,000 in funding to sustain and/or enhance the capabilities of previously developed teams. Teams provide a visible, proactive deterrent factor in high-risk areas, such as mass gathering events and critical infrastructure sites. Local law enforcement agencies were required to compete for this funding.

Fiscal Year 2016 Explosive Detection Canine grant program awardees by jurisdiction are:

*Received awards for the development of a team and sustainment/enhancement of previously developed team.

Critical Infrastructure Grant Program
The State is allocating $394,719 in funding to eight organizations through the Critical Infrastructure grant program, which provides up to $50,000 in funding to successful applicants to protect their critical infrastructure, including special event and training sites. Awardees applied with at least two first responder agencies that had prevention or protection responsibilities at the selected site. First responders include law enforcement, fire departments, emergency management, IT professionals, or public works agencies. Applicants also specified a critical infrastructure site, submitted the completion of a risk assessment and evaluation of local first responder capabilities for the site, and proposed a budget that details how the funding would be used to mitigate the identified risks.

Fiscal Year 2016 Critical Infrastructure grant program awardees are:

Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said, "These funds will help keep communities around our state safe from threats to their security. New York is the number one terror target in the world, and we need to make sure our local law enforcement have the resources they need to protect our communities. I will always fight for the necessary resources and funds to protect New Yorkers and keep our state safe."

Congressman Eliot Engel said, “With the precipitous rise is hate crimes across the country—including an increase in anti-Semitic threats made against Jewish Centers and violence against Muslims—public safety has to remain a priority. For years I have fought for increased federal spending for counter terrorism initiatives in our area, and I am pleased Governor Cuomo is allocating those federal resources to projects that will keep New Yorkers safe."

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey said, "New York continues to be a top target for terrorist attacks, and I’m pleased these federal dollars will bolster our local first responders’ ability to quickly and decisively protect our communities. My conversations with local community leaders as well as recent bomb threats across the Hudson Valley have made clear that we should continue to invest more funds in these critical programs. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue fighting to ensure that local law enforcement has the full support of the federal government and the resources to keep the Lower Hudson Valley safe."

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks said, "One of my main responsibilities and commitments as a Member of Congress is to protect the American people from those who seek to do us harm. Having helped secure this funding, I believe it will help meet that commitment. I thank Governor Cuomo for this announcement and always joining me in the never-ending fight to keep our communities safe."

Congressman Brian Higgins said, "Keeping our communities safe requires a coordinated effort from all levels of government. This federal funding will support programs, training, and infrastructure to help first responders and law enforcement professionals be proactive in preventing and prepared in responding to situations where public safety may be at risk."

Congressman Paul Tonko said, "This funding represents a significant investment in the safety of our communities, one of the most basic responsibilities of any government. It is important that these programs get the help they need to maintain or improve public safety and counter terrorism services across the Capital Region. With this support, our communities can rest a little easier knowing the law enforcement officials that protect us have the tools and resources they need to get the job done."

Congressman Tom Reed said, "We are happy to see that parts of New York’s 23rd Congressional District are part of the state’s disbursement of federal Homeland Security Grant funding. I care about making sure that our local communities have access to funding that will help to support counter-terrorism initiatives and strengthen public safety."

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said, “Governor Cuomo made the right call to invest here in the Hudson Valley – this critical investment will ensure our law enforcement and first responders have the tools and training they need to combat terrorism and react to dangerous situations. I look forward to continuing my work alongside the Governor to keep our communities safe from the threat of terrorism and prepared for natural disasters."

Congressman Lee Zeldin said, "With the increasing threat of domestic terrorism in our country, this funding is critical to keep our community, state and nation safe and secure. We must remain ever vigilant. Providing the funding necessary to improve our counter-terrorism, emergency preparedness and infrastructure helps New Yorkers prepare for possible threats."

Congressman Dan Donovan said, "Terrorist attacks around the world, as well as last year's bombings in Chelsea highlight the need to bolster counter terrorism programs and initiatives. These funds will help ensure that law enforcement officials have the resources necessary to combat terror threats and protect our communities. Government's number one responsibility is to protect its citizens, which is why I fought to reverse proposed homeland security funding cuts to protect programs that secure New Yorkers and all Americans."

Congressman Adriano Espaillat said, "Ensuring the safety of New Yorkers is a top priority and today's announcement is further proof of our commitment to support local law enforcement, rescue departments, tactical teams, and vital emergency service units to guarantee they are able to successfully carry out their mission to protect and serve New York residents. I commend Governor Cuomo on his efforts to bolster counter terrorism and public safety programs throughout the state, and stand ready to assist on the federal level to ensure these initiatives are implemented successfully."

Congressman Thomas Suozzi said, "Governor Cuomo and his team have done an effective job of working with the federal government to try and maximize federal support for State efforts. I look forward to continuing that partnership to ensure the residents of Queens, Nassau and Suffolk are safe and that our State receives more of its fair share of federal funds."