WASHINGTON, DC – Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation today announced that the state is scheduled to receive $7,380,473 in federal funding to help emergency responders and their partners prepare for and react to a range of crises and security challenges – including natural disasters.  U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced that the state will receive the federal national preparedness funds, which are awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and will be administered by the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA).

The federal funds are designed to help Rhode Island government agencies and organizations build capabilities at the state and local levels to prepare for, respond to, and recover from regional and national emergencies, disasters, and mass-casualty events, in addition to providing for enhanced training and the purchase of essential equipment.   The funds may be used to help the state and local responders purchase new safety equipment and emergency power generators, or conduct rescue and public safety training to ensure first responders are prepared for a variety of situations.

“I am pleased to have helped secure this federal funding to better equip our police and emergency responders.  Our first responders and emergency management professionals are our first line of defense and these federal grants will enhance public safety and improve the state’s ability to prevent and respond to disasters.  From hurricane preparedness to mass-casualty events, we want to ensure our first responders have the training and resources they need to be ready for a variety of situations,” said Senator Reed.

“The first responders and emergency personnel who put their lives on the line to keep Rhode Islanders safe deserve the very best training and equipment to do their jobs,” said Senator Whitehouse.  “These federal funds will help ensure Rhode Island is prepared to address any kind of disaster, from a hurricane to a national security emergency.”

“Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” said Congressman Langevin, a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.  “This funding will provide the training, equipment and resources necessary to ensure our state and local emergency personnel can prepare for and respond to any disaster they may face, including new threats facing Rhode Island in cyberspace. I am also pleased that non-profits in the state, including places of worship and other high-risk organizations, will be eligible for funding for the first time.”

“It’s critical that Rhode Island’s first responders can do their jobs as safely and effectively as possible. This new federal funding will ensure that Rhode Island is prepared to respond to emergency situations whenever and wherever they occur,” said Congressman Cicilline.  “I will continue working to ensure Rhode Island gets its fair share of federal resources.”

Specifically, Rhode Island will receive:

State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) Funding: $3,980,000

This program provides support for the implementation of state homeland security risk-driven 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.

Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG): $3,300,473

This funding provides grants for emergency preparedness to assist state and local governments in enhancing and sustaining all-hazards emergency management capabilities.  Administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the EMPG Program provides necessary direction, coordination, and guidance, and assistance, so that a comprehensive emergency preparedness system exists for all hazards.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program: $100,000

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations.

Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation noted that President Trump’s proposed budget seeks to slash the State Homeland Security Program by $157.6 million and reduce the Emergency Management Performance Grants by over $70 million.  All four members of the delegation strongly oppose these proposed cuts and are working to restore this critical funding as the appropriations process moves forward.