Bredesen Announces More than $30 Million in Homeland Security Grants

NASHVILLE --- Governor Phil Bredesen today announced that Tennessee has been awarded more than $30 million in federal Homeland Security Grant Funds for fiscal year 2010. The grants will be distributed to Tennessee’s 11 Homeland Security Districts.

  

“These Homeland Security grants will provide local law enforcement and first responders the tools they need to prevent terrorism, protect our citizens and critical infrastructure, and respond to man-made or natural disasters in Tennessee,” Bredesen said. “The security and safety of our citizens is one of the most critical functions of state government and these funds will continue to enhance homeland security capabilities.”

 

The federal Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) included the following grants:

 

·         State Homeland Security Programs (SHSP) - $11 million to build capabilities at the state and local levels and to implement the goals and objectives included in the Tennessee Homeland Security Strategy.

·         Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) - $7 million to focus on enhancing regional preparedness in major metropolitan areas.

·         Metropolitan Medical Response System Grant (MMRS) - $1.3 million to support the integration of emergency management, health and medical systems into a coordinated response to mass casualty incidents.

·         Citizen Corps Program (CCP) $245,000 to enhance community involvement in emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery.

·         Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)- $6.5 million to assist state and local governments in enhancing and sustaining all-hazards emergency management capabilities.

·         Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP) - $636,000 to provide funding to Tennessee to carry out initiatives to improve interoperable emergency communications.

·         Drivers License Security Grant Program (DLSGP)- $749,000 to reduce fraud and improve the reliability and accuracy of personal identification documents that Tennessee issues.

·         Buffer Zone Protection Program (BZPP)-$1.0 million to increase the preparedness capabilities of  jurisdictions responsible for the safety and security of Tennessee’s critical infrastructure.

·         Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) - $2.4 million to protect critical port infrastructure in Tennessee from terrorism threats that could cause major disruption to commerce.