July 29, 2015

Manchin, Capito Announce More Than $7.6 Million for Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Programs in WV

FEMA funding will support law enforcement terrorism prevention activities and enhance state emergency preparedness system

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced a total of $7,665,187 in funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for emergency preparedness and homeland security programs. This funding will be used to support law enforcement terrorism prevention activities and enhance West Virginia’s emergency preparedness system. A total of $101,856 of the funding will go to the Ohio County Commission to support maritime transportation infrastructure security activities.

“West Virginians must be prepared for any disaster or act of terrorism that may strike, and it is imperative that we have procedures in place to respond to these emergencies and threats effectively,” Senator Manchin said. “This critical funding from FEMA will provide the necessary support we need to enhance our emergency preparedness and terrorism prevention plans and protect West Virginians in the face of any crisis.”

“As we face evolving national security threats at home and abroad, these FEMA grants are critical to protecting our homeland. This funding will boost West Virginia’s law enforcement terrorism prevention activities, strengthen our emergency preparedness system and support transportation and facility security plans. Now, more than ever, we need the resources to prepare for unexpected threats and keep West Virginia families and communities safe,” said Senator Capito.

The individual grant amounts and program descriptions are below:

• $3,734,500 – State Homeland Security Program (SHSP): This program supports state homeland security strategies to address identified planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.

• $3,828,831 – Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG): This program provides states with direction, coordination, guidance, and assistance, to ensure a comprehensive emergency preparedness system exists for all hazards.

• $101,856 (Ohio County Commission) – Port Security Grant Program (PSGS): This program supports maritime transportation infrastructure security activities in order to strengthen the nation’s critical infrastructure against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks.

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