Governor Perdue Announces Homeland Security Grants

Governor Perdue Announces Homeland Security Grants

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the release of $9,413,282 in federal homeland security grants for communities around the state.  This is the first phase of the allocation of $44 million in homeland security funding to the state of Georgia announced in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The awards for fiscal year 2006 will be earmarked for three initiatives – the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP), the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) and the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS).

The grants, part of a $1.7 billion national Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), are designed to enhance the ability of states, urban areas and territories to prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks and other disasters.  They can be used for planning, organization, equipment, training, exercises, management and administration.

“Georgia has been a leader in anti-terrorism initiatives for the past 15 years,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “These grants will enable us to continue to enhance the safety of our citizens and do our part in the war on terrorism.”

Along with the 2006 HSGP award, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognized Georgia for having submitted proposals that were ranked as “exceptional” by the review team in the areas of citizen preparedness, volunteer effort and information sharing.  Georgia’s fiscal year 2006 proposals were rated among the top 25 percent of all states and territories.

The grants are made through a risk and effectiveness-based approach and reflect Georgia’s needs, as well as the state’s demonstrated capabilities to implement and manage the security programs.

The LETPP program will receive $3,245,180 with awards to 13 local governments and the University of Georgia to establish Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) Law Enforcement Teams, and for explosive device response operations.

The SHSGP will channel $5,726,675 to 23 local governments, two professional emergency service associations and the University of Georgia to purchase equipment, train personnel and exercise operations plans.

Grants totaling $441,427 will be awarded to MMRS managed by the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency and the Columbus-based West Central Georgia Health District to assist in writing plans, developing training, purchasing equipment and supplies and conducting exercises to achieve the enhanced capability necessary to respond to a mass casualty incident.

Since September 11, 2001, Georgia has received $251 million in funding from DHS.  Attached is a breakdown of the grants announced today.