WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to enhance public safety and strengthen Rhode Island’s emergency preparedness, Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation today announced the state will receive $6.9 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).  The federal grants will help state and local agencies prevent crime and prepare for and respond to regional and national emergencies.

“At a time when the state and localities face difficult budgets, these federal funds will help equip law enforcement officials and first responders and enhance Rhode Island’s emergency preparedness.  We need to do everything we can to continue to improve the state’s emergency response capabilities,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Representative Jim Langevin, and U.S. Representative David Cicilline in a joint statement.

The grants Rhode Island will receive include:

Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG): $3,224,241 

This funding provides grants for emergency preparedness to assist state and local governments in enhancing and sustaining all-hazards emergency management capabilities.  The federal government, through the EMPG Program, provides necessary direction, coordination, and guidance, and provides necessary assistance, so that a comprehensive emergency preparedness system exists for all hazards.

State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) Funding: $2,801,316

This program helps the state equip emergency responders and train them to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from emergencies and acts of terrorism.

Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG): $876,976

The Byrne JAG program is designed to help state and local criminal justice agencies pay for technology, equipment, and training to prevent crimes in their communities.                                                         

The EMPG and SHSP funding is awarded under the FY 2012 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act.  The Byrne JAG program comes from the FY 2012 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Act.