Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District and a member of the Homeland Security Committee announced today that Nevada and the Las Vegas area will receive nearly $17 million for the current fiscal year through a number of Homeland Security grant programs aimed at improving emergency preparedness.  The money will go toward a number of areas, including operations for the Fusion Center, improving Clark County’s bomb squad, and critical infrastructure protection through Nevada’s Silver Shield program.

“As a member of Congress, ensuring the safety and security of the American people is a top priority.  These grants from the Homeland Security Department will help prepare and protect Southern Nevada in order to keep our communities safe,” Congresswoman Titus said.  “Las Vegas is a world-class destination, and it is critical to our tourism sector that the area continues to be seen as a safe location for both business and recreation.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will distribute the following grants to Nevada:

• State Homeland Security Program (statewide), $8,414,500
• Urban Areas Security Initiative (Las Vegas), $8,150,150
• Metropolitan Medical Response System (Las Vegas), $321,221

The State Homeland Security Program supports the implementation of State Homeland Security Strategies to address the identified planning, equipment, training, and exercise needs to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.  The Homeland Security Department has allocated $861,137,000 for the program nationally.

The Urban Areas Security Initiative provides funding to select high-threat, high-density urban areas to assist them in building enhanced and sustainable capabilities to prevent and protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.  The Department has allocated $798,631,250 for the program nationally.

The Metropolitan Medical Response System enables jurisdictions to further enhance and sustain a comprehensive regional mass casualty incident response capability for response to all-hazards mass casualty incidents, including terrorism, naturally occurring events, and large-scale hazardous materials incidents.  The Department has allocated $39,831,404 for the program nationally.

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Tags: Homeland Security, Las Vegas