March 30, 2004
Contact: 202-282-8010
Contact: 202-282-8010
|
March 30, 2004
Contact: 202-282-8010 |
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AWARDS ALMOST $29 MILLION
TO KANSAS’ FIRST RESPONDERS
Today, the Department of Homeland Security awarded $28,842,000 from the State
Homeland Security Grant Program for training, equipment, exercises and planning
to help the first responders of Kansas better secure their communities. These
funds are part of over $8 billion the Department has allocated or awarded since
March 1, 2003 to help our nation’s first responders and state and local
governments to prevent, respond and recover from potential acts of terrorism
and other potential disasters.
“At Homeland Security we have implemented a national strategy of shared
responsibility, shared accountability and shared leadership,” said Secretary
Ridge. “Funding the capabilities of local first responders is central to
our mission of increasing America’s preparedness. These dollars will purchase
equipment and training that will help our first responders save lives by preventing
acts of terrorism and responding if one occurs.”
Secretary Ridge announced the application period for these funds in November 2003, as part of $2.2 billion in counterterrorism grants allocated in FY’04. These grants are distributed through three programs accessible through one online application form: the State Homeland Security Program, the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program and Citizen Corps.
Since its creation last year, the Department of Homeland Security has allocated over $56 million to the state of Kansas to be used for equipment, training, planning and exercises: $7,401,000 in FY’03, $19,603,000 in the FY’03 supplemental budget and $29,102,000 in FY’04.
In total across the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, this Administration has provided $13.1 billion dollars in direct homeland security grants from FY’02 to FY’04, as compared to only $1.2 billion allocated from FY’99 to FY’01 - more than a 900% increase in the commitment and spending on homeland security.
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