DHS announces funding for NYC anti-terrorism activities, programs, equipment

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that New York was awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to enhance security preparedness and anti-terror activities through grant programming in fiscal year 2018.

New York City will receive $178 million under the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) to update emergency preparedness equipment and programs like the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Critical Response Command, the New York City Fire Department’s (FDNY) active shooter training program, and radiological detection tools. That marks a $627,000 increase in UASI funding from the previous year.

U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY), chairman of the U.S. House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications, recently convened a hearing on strategies to enhance local and national security defenses. Witnesses from DHS, FEMA, NYPD and the New York and New Jersey Port Authority testified about the importance of grant programs in securing high-risk urban areas.

“I’ve heard firsthand from NYPD, FDNY, New York City Emergency Management and Port Authority officials about how grant programs, like the State Homeland Security Grant Program and Urban Area Security Initiative, help them secure our community,” Donovan said. “Threats are increasing in both number and sophistication, and today’s news ensures that those on our frontline of defense have the resources they need to defend New Yorkers.”

DHS also announced that New York City would also receive about $77 million under the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), which is designed to help state and local authorities enhance prevention, response, and recovery from terrorist attacks. Additionally, the city will receive $15.2 million through the Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG) to assist with “all hazards” preparation.