Grants Help Fund Equipment and Training to Enhance Emergency Preparedness and Protect Critical Infrastructure

Explosive Detection Canine, HazMat, Tactical, and Technical Rescue Teams Receive Funding

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that four kinds of emergency response teams will receive Federal FY 2017 State Homeland Security Program grant funds, and a combination of 14 cities or counties will receive funds to enhance the capabilities of vital emergency response teams and protect critical infrastructure in their jurisdiction. The $6.5 million in funding supports New York’s explosive detection canine teams, hazardous materials teams, tactical teams, and technical rescue and urban search teams, as well as the protection of critical infrastructure.

“Public safety is our top priority, and this funding allows cities and counties to provide our first responders with the tools and resources they need to protect New Yorkers in their time of need,” Governor Cuomo said. “These programs help support our goal of having the best trained and best equipped first responders in the nation.”

The State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services manages the targeted grant program, which has distributed approximately $43.7 million to four different types of specialty teams and for critical infrastructure protection since each program’s inception.

“These grants will help to ensure communities have the resources they need for emergency preparedness and infrastructure,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “Public safety is critical to protecting residents in our cities and counties, and this program is helping to aid first responders and make sure people are protected in emergency situations.”

Roger L. Parrino Sr., Commissioner of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services said, “This annual program contributes vital funds for training and equipping the state’s first responders, as well as for protecting critical infrastructure sites across the state. These funds play a critical role in helping to prepare the state’s first responders for taking action in emergency situations.”

Critical Infrastructure Grant Program: This program promotes a common understanding and approach to risk management and provides funding to support local first responders’ efforts to mitigate risk and enhance protection capabilities at special event sites and government owned critical infrastructure sites.

Grantees: 14 awards were made through this grant opportunity:

Hazardous Materials Targeted Grant Program: This program serves as a resource for 18 regional HazMat Teams outside of New York City to sustain and enhance HazMat capabilities to help New Yorkers respond to and recover from acts of terrorism and other emergencies. Regions can use this funding to obtain and maintain essential equipment, implement the HazMat Team Accreditation Program, conduct trainings and exercises, and develop and update HazMat response plans.

Grantees: 18 awards were made through this grant opportunity:

Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program:  Funding through this program provides local law enforcement agencies with active road patrol aid to develop and enhance their explosive detection canine capabilities. Explosive Detection Canine Teams provide a visible, proactive police presence in areas of mass gathering, transportation centers and critical infrastructure sites. In addition to this deterrence presence, they provide a mobile response capability for detection and identification of potential explosive device type incidents.

Grantees: 18 awards were made through this grant opportunity (11 New Team Projects; 7 Sustainment projects.)

Tactical Team Targeted Grant Program:  This funding supports New York State’s tactical teams and provides them with the adequate skills and capabilities to provide a safe and successful response to high-risk incidents, including active shooter events and other counterterrorism missions. Funding must be in support of the team’s attainment/sustainment of New York State accreditation for tactical teams to include supporting necessary equipment, planning and training costs required to meet the rigorous standards.

Grantees: 22 awards were made through this grant opportunity:

Technical Rescue & Urban Search and Rescue Grant Program:  This program focuses on the enhancement of Technical Rescue and Urban Search and Rescue teams for local emergency responders who provide services involving structural collapse, trench, confined space and rope rescue, which help New Yorkers respond to and recover from acts of terrorism and other emergencies.

Grantees: Eight awards were made through this grant opportunity:

About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the Division’s Facebook, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter and Instagram, or visit dhses.ny.gov.