Washington, D.C. Senators Paul G. Kirk, Jr. and John Kerry and Congressmen Markey, Capuano, and Lynch announced today that Massachusetts is scheduled to receive $52 million in federal funds from the Department of Homeland Security Grants Program in 2010. The Boston metropolitan area has been moved up to a Tier 1 Urban Area and will receive $19 million under the Urban Areas Security Initiative.
The Department uses a formula that includes threat risks, vulnerability, population density, and other factors to determine the level of grants to every state. The members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation and Mayor Menino have been strong advocates that the level of funds for the Boston area must be commensurate with the risk of a large port city.
Senator Kirk, a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, said I commend Secretary Napolitano for elevating Boston to Tier 1 for federal funding. These additional funds will enable our first responders to be fully prepared and well-equipped for any emergency. The port of Boston will be more secure, and the people of Massachusetts will be safer.
For years weve pressed with Mayor Menino to ensure that Homeland Security dollars track with the risks to a major city like Boston. Finally the policy matches reality. This designation means a bump in resources to beef up security, improve our ability to respond quickly in emergencies and increase the overall safety for people in Massachusetts,said Sen. John Kerry.
Congressman Markey said, The designation as a Tier 1 area reflects the reality that the Greater Boston region has significant security challenges. I have argued for years that we have LNG facilities and other sensitive infrastructure in Greater Boston that warrant increased funding commensurate with these challenges. This designationand the increase in funds that comes with itwill help make our communities safer. I also welcome the homeland security funds for Massachusetts from the other vital federal programs, including the Metropolitan Medical Response System, which I have championed for years and stopped the Bush Administration from eliminating. Much progress has been made to strengthen security in the Boston area, and this homeland security funding will enable more to be done to safeguard our communities.
I strongly support this decision by Secretary Napolitano,said Congressman Mike Capuano. It will allow the city of Boston to access critically important resources for the safety of Boston and Boston area residents.
As someone who lives in the City of Boston and represents the Port of Boston, I applaud Bostons elevation to a Tier 1 Urban Area and I am pleased that these additional funds will be available to give our first responders the tools they need to protect the City Of Boston,Congressman Stephen F. Lynch said. This homeland security funding will help make communities throughout Massachusetts safer places.
"Boston will be a safer and more secure place to work, live, and visit thanks to additional funding the City will receive with Tier 1 status," said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "This upgrade from Homeland Security would not have happened without the strong support of Senator Kirk, Senator Kerry, the late Senator Kennedy and the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation."
The programs and allocations are below:
State Homeland Security Program
$15, 575, 715
Urban Areas Security Initiative (Boston Area)
$18,933,980
Citizens Corps Program
$251, 362
Metropolitan Medical Response System
$952, 257
Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (Boston Area)
$3,570,000
Buffer Zone Protection Program
$1,900,000
Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program
$1,117,500
Emergency Management Performance Grants
$6, 640, 453
Driver's License Security Grant Program
$1, 046, 400
Port Security Grant Program
$ 2, 358, 154
For more information, please see <http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1260283102665.shtm>
________________________________
Patrick Rodenbush
Office of Senator Paul G. Kirk, Jr.
O: 202-224-2633
C: 202-821-2249
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