DHS Hands Out $1.8 Billion in Emergency Preparedness Grants

The Department of Homeland Security is doling out approximately $1.8 billion in emergency preparedness grants to state and local agencies, and most of it is going to fund IT-related projects.

In an article on the Federal Computer Week website, Alice Lipowicz says the funding will cover areas such as interoperable emergency communications, video surveillance systems, perimeter security systems, command and control centers and information-sharing programs.

“The 2009 grant programs reflect changes in DHS’ procedures to improve the ability of state and local partners to apply for and use the grants,” Lipowicz says.

The grant programs include:

• State Homeland Security Program, $861.1 million
• Urban Area Security Initiative, $798.6 million
• Metropolitan Medical Response System, $39.8 million
• Citizens Corps Program, $14.6 million
• Nonprofit Security Grant Program, $15 million
• State Homeland Security Program–Tribal, $1.7 million.

To read the full article, click here: http://fcw.com/articles/2009/06/17/dhs-announces-preparedness-grants.aspx