Governor Cuomo Announces Over $185 Million in Homeland Security Grants

Albany, NY - July 9, 2014 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the funding of over $185 million in state and federal homeland security grants to municipalities across New York State. The funding will support critical infrastructure protection, sustain anti-terrorism programs in New York City, and enhance core emergency preparedness and response functions in counties statewide.

“From September 11th to Superstorm Sandy, our first responders and local law enforcement agencies have been essential to protecting New Yorkers and keeping our communities safe,” Governor Cuomo said. “These grants are vital to supporting their work, and I am confident that they will go a long way toward building a stronger and more resilient State.”

The funding for these programs was made available by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grant, and the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) manages these programs in close coordination with local stakeholders.  

DHSES Commissioner Jerome M. Hauer said, “DHSES distributes critically important grant funds to local municipalities and first responders that help them fortify their preparedness and response capabilities. These grant funds will aid our local first responders in providing the most efficient and effective protective services to their communities.”

Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program $161.1 million
DHSES awarded funding to jurisdictions in the New York City metropolitan area under the FY2014 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grant. The region will use this money to sustain and enhance their critical anti-terrorism programs. Based on federal guidelines, 80% of the UASI award is allocated to partners in the region’s Urban Area Working Group (UAWG), using a consensus-based process, and the consensus agreement for these funds is outlined below.

An additional $18 million will also be allocated to the City of New York from the State’s portion of FY2014 UASI grant, in recognition of the City’s unique position in terms of potential threats from terrorist-related activities.

FY2014 UASI Grant Awards

New York City:          $139,887,478 (*includes $18 million from the State’s portion of the UASI grant)

Nassau County:               $2,652,733

Suffolk County:              $2,652,733

Westchester County:       $2,652,733

City of Yonkers:             $2,652,733

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey:  $10,674,978

2013-14 Public Safety Answering Point Grant      $9 million
$7 million was allocated for reimbursement of PSAP, which effectively are county 911 systems. This funding covers improvements and enhancements to merge these 911-styled public safety answering systems, as well as fund the implementation of new technologies that facilitate data sharing, greater operating efficiencies, and foster regional consolidation.

2013-14 PSAP Consolidation Awards

 PSAP Sustainment Grant    $2 million
This program provides reimbursement to counties for operating expenses in a PSAP (other than personal service expenses.)

2013-14 Sustainment Awards

Hazardous Materials Grant Program $2 million
This grant re-affirms New York's commitment to a regional approach of building and sustaining Hazardous Materials (HazMat) response capabilities. The effort of the State’s HazMat community to build sustainable regional partnerships is a model for other disciplines to emulate. In recognition of these efforts and in light of the current threat environment, DHSES increased the amount of funding for the HazMat Grant Program to $2 million this year (up from $1 million in 2013).  Regional HazMat partnerships will use these funds to sustain and advance their capabilities through the maintenance of existing equipment, the acquisition of advanced equipment and technology, and through participation in cutting-edge training programs. 

Regional allocations were made based on a State formula and are as follows under the FY2014 HazMat Grant Program: 

Emergency Management Performance Grant  $7.6 million
The Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG) is a core grant program used to sustain emergency management capabilities in New York State. EMPG funds are used to support emergency management staff positions in localities and for related planning, training, and exercise activities and eligible equipment purchases. Funding for the EMPG is provided through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

EMPG awards are determined using an established State funding formula. A total of $7,603,047 was awarded through this process to county governments and the City of New York and requires a 50% cost match.

FY2014 EMGP county allocations:

The following initiatives are available to eligible first response agencies across New York State:

Bomb Squad Initiative $2 million
Through the 2014 Bomb Squad Initiative, DHSES will allocate $2 million to 12 local FBI-accredited Bomb Squads in New York State. The allocation of these funds marks the 9^th consecutive fiscal year that DHSES has provided direct funding to local Bomb Squads. In total, the State has directed $13.6 million toward this program in order to sustain and advance Bomb Squad capabilities statewide. 

• Downstate New York Region Bomb Squads: Nassau County, New York City, Rockland County, Suffolk County, Westchester County
• Central New York Region Bomb Squads: Village of Endicott, Onondaga County, City of Syracuse
• Western New York Region Bomb Squads: Chautauqua County, Erie County, Monroe County, City of Rochester

Explosive Canine Detection $500,000
DHSES is making $500,000 available statewide for the Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program. Local law enforcement agencies with an active road patrol component can utilize this grant opportunity to build or sustain an Explosive Detection Canine Team in their jurisdiction. 

Prospective applicants have two tracts they can pursue: 1) Development of an Explosive Detection Canine Team asset (up to $60,000); or, 2) Sustain and enhance capabilities for an Explosive Detection Canine Team they have previously developed (up to $20,000). Requests for funding are based on Capability Assessments that agencies conduct in conjunction with DHSES and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

Critical Infrastructure (CIGP) Up to $500,000
The Critical Infrastructure Grant Program (CIG) is focused on enhancing security at government owned critical infrastructure sites, at special events, and at seasonal at-risk locations in New York State. The grant advances a common understanding of risk management to support infrastructure protection efforts. First, applicants select a critical infrastructure site, special event, or seasonal at-risk location and complete a risk assessment, and next, first responders assess their capability to prevent and protect against attacks on the site. Lastly, grant funding is applied to mitigate vulnerabilities identified in the risk and capability assessments.

Units of local government within targeted counties (listed below) are eligible to apply for up to $50,000 in funding under the FY2014 Critical Infrastructure Grant Program. Eligible areas include the City of New York and the following counties:  Albany, Broome, Dutchess, Erie, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Wayne, Westchester and Yates. Applications must be coordinated with at least two agencies with prevention and/or protection responsibilities at the selected site.  

Technical Rescue/Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)  $2 Million
DHSES has allocated $2 million to support the Technical Rescue/USAR Program. Eligible Technical Rescue/USAR Teams can request up to $100,000 to sustain and advance their capabilities in a variety of areas, including structural collapse, trench, confined space, waterway/flood and rope rescues. Specific emphasis is placed on the development of regional partnerships to efficiently enhance response operations. Through targeted planning, equipment, training, and exercise activities, FY2014 Technical Rescue/USAR grant funds will be used to enhance the ability of these teams to save lives during disasters. 

Tactical Team Grant Program  $2 Million
This round of grant funding also includes a unique Tactical Team Grant Program ($2 million) that is available to local, county and tribal law enforcement agencies with an active Tactical Team as part of their law enforcement operations. This funding, which is awarded competitively, will enhance the ability of local 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 can 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.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “New York remains the top terror target in the nation and we must continue to be vigilant in investing federal and state resources to keep us safe. These critical anti-terror funds will help arm law enforcement and first responders with the tools needed to protect New York families.”

Congresswoman Nita Lowey said, “Emergency preparedness is paramount to ensuring safe and secure communities. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have made it a priority in Congress to make sure that high-risk areas like New York receive the resources necessary to keep our communities safe. I will continue to ensure that we receive the resources we need to improve preparedness, communication, and response.”

Congressman Pete King said, “New York continues to be the number one target for terrorists. It is critical that we continue to receive these funds to keep us prepared and safe.”

For more information on these grant programs, contact: www.dhses.ny.gov/grants