Eight preparedness grant recipients to split $1.8B from DHS

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced more than $1.8 billion in preparedness grants to benefit eight recipients in fiscal year 2024 in addressing capacity, flexibility and high priority investments.

“As threats continue to evolve, the Department of Homeland Security is committed to providing state, local, tribal and territorial governments, as well as transportation authorities and nonprofit organizations, with vital resources to help them strengthen our nation’s security and preparedness,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said. “This funding is essential for frontline personnel, including emergency managers, firefighters, emergency medical services, law enforcement and other first responders. The grants will play a critical role in ensuring local communities across the country have the resources and capabilities to prevent threats to the homeland.”

Preparedness grants can be used by states, localities, Tribes and territories to prepare for, prevent, protect against and respond to acts of terrorism and natural disasters. This year’s handouts were each cut by 10 percent by Congress, but certain requirements remained, such as the fact that at least 25 percent of the combined funds for the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) had to go to Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LETPA). Ultimately, DHS maintained a minimum 35 percent requirement for LETPA.

DHS will also provide $274.5 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program funds to religious centers, schools and other nonprofits deemed high risks for terrorist attack. As to the Urban Area Security Initiative, 41 high-threat, high-density urban areas will benefit from $553.5 million in funding.

Other programs included the State Homeland Security Program ($373.5 million), Intercity Passenger Rail ($9 million), Emergency Management Performance Grant ($319.55 million), Operation Stonegarden ($81 million), Tribal Homeland Security Program ($13.5 million), Port Security Grant Program ($90 million), Transit Security Grant Program ($83.7 million) and Intercity Bus Security Grant Program ($1.8 million).

Of these, the State Homeland Security, Urban Area Security Initiative, Intercity Passenger Rail and Emergency Manager Performance Grant programs were non-competitive, awarded to recipients based on various factors. The remaining programs were competitive. Any new capabilities built using funds for these programs must be deployable if needed to support both regional and national efforts.