Bredesen Announces Allocation of $16.7 Million to Tennessee's 11 Homeland Security Districts

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 | 08:09am

NASHVILLE --- Tennessee will distribute $16.7 million in federal homeland security grant funds to the state’s 11 Homeland Security Districts, Governor Phil Bredesen and Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell announced today. Local authorities will use the 2009 federal homeland security funds to strengthen the capabilities of first responders to detect, deter, prepare and respond to acts of terror and other disasters.

“Homeland security remains a priority for Tennessee, and that demands we remain in a constant state of preparedness,” Governor Bredesen said. “The 2009 homeland security funds will ensure law enforcement and emergency service agencies can continue to equip and train the men and women on the front lines of public safety with the tools and resources necessary to protect our communities.”

The $16.7 million in grants will be passed through to Tennessee’s 11 Homeland Security Districts to fund homeland security projects within the cities and counties that comprise the district. Each district is governed by a council, consisting of representatives from the various disciplines within the emergency services field, that works together to determine a specific spending plan for their region. The individual spending plans must remain in line with the state’s overall homeland security priorities of improving interoperable communications, enhancing information sharing and protecting critical infrastructure.
 
“Each of the 11 Homeland Security Districts across the state is doing an excellent job of assessing the risks and needs of their communities,” Commissioner Mitchell said. “Through these assessments local officials are creating an excellent state of preparedness in their own communities that contributes to the State’s overall homeland security strategies to improve communications, enhance the sharing of information and protect our citizens and infrastructure.” 
 
The funds available to the 11 districts represent more than 80 percent of the state’s total award of roughly $20 million from the 2009 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) funds awarded by the Department of Homeland Security. The HSGP funds going to the districts include four preparedness grants that together fund a wide range of preparedness activities, to include planning, organization, equipment purchase, training, exercises, and management and administration costs. The federal Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) received by Tennessee included the following grants:
  • State Homeland Security Funds (SHSP) —- $11.8 million to enhance capabilities through planning, equipment, training and exercise activities. States must dedicate at least 25 percent of SHSP funds to law enforcement terrorism prevention activities. 
  • Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) —- $4.2 million to Memphis to build capabilities in high-threat, high-density urban areas across the country.
  • Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) —- $2.8 million to Nashville to build capabilities in high-threat, high-density urban areas across the country.
  • Metropolitan Medical Response (MMRS) —- $1.28 million to Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga to enhance mass casualty preparedness and response capabilities.
  • Citizen Corps Program (CCP) —- $285,000 to engage citizens in community preparedness.

The Tennessee Office of Homeland Security will work with each of the 11 Homeland Security Districts to ensure the spending plans for the 2009 grants address the State’s overall homeland security goals and provide the best equipment to first responders.   

In Tennessee, the Governor’s Homeland Security Council determines the allocation amount of homeland security funds to the districts based on a combination of population and risk factors. The Council is comprised of 22 representatives from state and local agencies.
 
 
Tennessee’s Federal FY 2009 Homeland Security Grant Program
Allocations to Local Districts
 
District                              2009 Homeland Security Allocation
 
  1. First Tennessee                                        $1,219,797
  2. East Tennessee                                        $2,987,845
  3. Southeast Tennessee                                $1,771,628
  4. Upper Cumberland                                    $754,642
  5. Greater Nashville                                       $3,171,628
  6. South Central Tennessee 1                       $492,022
  7. North Central Tennessee                           $791,410
  8. South Central Tennessee 2                       $513,064
  9. Northwest Tennessee                               $653,653
  10. Southwest Tennessee                              $629,218
  11. Memphis Area                                         $3,709,050

 

Editor’s Note:

 The map of Tennessee’s Homeland Security Districts below indicates the counties that comprise each district.

Tennessee Homeland Security Districts
 
 

The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.tn.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.

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