FEMA to Help Fund Emergency Ops Centers

Twenty-two new emergency operations centers are set to open across the country, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that it will award $14.5 million in grants to fund the centers’ construction.

In an article on the Washington Technology website, Alice Lipowicz says the money comes from the fiscal 2008 Emergency Operations Centers Grant Program. FEMA says it will give $1 million each to ops centers in the District of Columbia, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia, according to an announcement. An additional 14 centers will receive smaller grants.

“The money may be spent on hardware and equipment for information technology, explosive device mitigation, cybersecurity, interoperable communications, power and logistical support,” Lipowicz says. “It also may be put toward physical security and prevention and response involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive device materials.”

Why the funds? According to Lipowicz, the goal is to set up flexible, sustainable, secure and interoperable centers for states and communities. The program funds are to be used for emergency operations center construction projects over the next three years, up to $1 million for new construction or $250,000 for a renovation.

To read the full article, click here: http://www.washingtontechnology.com/online/1_1/33502-1.html?topic=state