Funds also support search and rescue and tactical response teams

Governor Cuomo announced on Monday that $4.4 million will be awarded through three grant programs to protect critical infrastructure, increase rescue team capabilities, and bring tactical response team capabilities in line with the state standards.

“This funding will go a long way toward strengthening the network of locally-based emergency response infrastructure across New York,” Governor Cuomo said. “By assisting communities in protecting their infrastructure and ensuring that our first responders to receive up-to-date training, we will be able to keep New Yorkers safer and better protected in their time of need.”

The funding, administered by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, will support three key areas of proactive defense. The 2014 Critical Infrastructure Grant Program will provide $435,000 in funding to protect critical infrastructure, the 2014 Technical Rescue and Urban Search and Rescue Grant Program will award $2 million to increase technical rescue team capabilities, and the Tactical Team Targeted Grant Program will provide $2 Million in funding to assist with the standardization of tactical teams statewide and bring them in line with the accepted Division of Criminal Justice Services standards for operation and training.

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jerome M. Hauer said, “Providing local governments with the funds necessary to support the New York State Homeland Security Strategy is essential to keeping our residents, and those who visit our state, safe. These programs assist first responders by allowing them to enhance their abilities to protect life and property.”

2014 Critical Infrastructure Grant Program

$435,000 in funding is being awarded under the Critical Infrastructure Grant Program, which provides up to $50,000 in funding to successful applicants to protect their critical infrastructure, including special events or seasonal at-risk locations.

The awardees submitted applications that were coordinated with at least two first responder agencies that had prevention or protection responsibilities at the selected site. These first responders were law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management or public works agencies. Additionally, the applicants included the identification of a critical infrastructure site and submitted the completion of a risk assessment, evaluation of local first responder capabilities for the site, and a proposed budget that details how the funding would be used to mitigate the identified risks.

2014 Critical Infrastructure Grant Program awardees are:

2014 Technical Rescue and Urban Search and Rescue Grant Program

$2 million in grant funds is being awarded under the competitive Technical Rescue and Urban Search and Rescue Grant Program to allow local emergency response teams to enhance their rescue-related capabilities related to structural collapse, trench, confined space, waterway, flood, and rope rescue response operations.

Local emergency response teams that provide these services could apply for up to $100,000 in grant funds for certain equipment, planning, and training costs to further enhance their team’s ability to respond to acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.

2014 Technical Rescue and Urban Search and Rescue Grant Program awardees:

2014 Tactical Team Targeted Grant Program

A total of $2 million in funding is being awarded under the Tactical Team grant program, which focuses on sustaining, maintaining, and improving teams currently in action and to work to enhance their existing capabilities, specifically for IED or counter-terrorism missions. This is being done through the implementation of adopted statewide standards as set forth by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.

These groups, who were eligible for up to $100,000 in funding, had to be an active tactical team of more than 15 members that respond to calls for service outside of a correctional setting. Teams with at least 10 members and who have an agreement with the Division of Criminal Justice Services to meet the 15 member requirement were also eligible to apply for this funding.

2014 Tactical Team Targeted Grant Program awardees:

Congressman Charles B. Rangel said, "These vital funds could not have come at a more crucial time. Devastating incidents such as Superstorm Sandy and explosion in East Harlem have shown the critical role of the first responders, as well as the importance and need for long-term investments to modernize our aging infrastructure. I applaud Governor Cuomo for his commitment towards making our State and City a safer place for all New Yorkers."

Congressman Eliot Engel said, “I commend Governor Cuomo for recognizing the need to better protect and secure our vital infrastructure. The City of Yonkers is one of the largest municipalities in Westchester County. We need to ensure that the local government has the funding it needs to implement, support and enhance security measures for our critical assets.”

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey said, “The security of our communities is paramount. These grants will ease local tax burdens and enhance the response capability of law enforcement and first responders in the Lower Hudson Valley. As Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, I am committed to ensuring that New York’s security needs are met.”

Congressman José E. Serrano said, “These funds will allow local first responders like the New York Fire Department to enhance and expand the services they offer to protect our communities and keep New York City residents safe. I applaud Governor Cuomo for working to ensure New York City, and the rest of the state, remains a safe place for residents and visitors."

Congressman Jerrold Nadler said, “As we saw on September 11, 2001 and its horrific aftermath, the heroism of our first responders, including New York police and firefighters, has no bounds. I have long fought for greater funding of our emergency services, and I commend Governor Cuomo for his support of these much-needed funds. This money will go toward up-to-date equipment and training to further improve the New York Fire Department’s response to catastrophic events and acts of terrorism. I will continue to fight to make sure that our first responders have the best resources to keep New York safe.”

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks said, "It is absolutely vital to the safety and prosperity of our State that we protect critical infrastructure, pledge the necessary support to our first responders, and provide emergency response teams with adequate funding. I commend Governor Cuomo for awarding over $4 million in grants to ensure that these critical defense measures are operating at their highest capacity. I also congratulate Nassau County, FDNY, Nassau County PD and all other grantees and thank them for the life-saving work they do every day."

Congressman Joe Crowley said, “Enough can’t be said about the job our first responders do each and every day. But we need to ensure they have the resources necessary to continue being the best at what they do. These grants will go a long way toward strengthening New York’s emergency preparedness and I was thrilled to see the FDNY as one of the recipients. I thank Governor Cuomo and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for administering these funds and putting the safety of all New Yorkers first.”

Congressman Steve Israel said, “I’m pleased that Nassau and Suffolk Police Departments are getting federal funding to help keep Long Islanders safe and protect our critical infrastructure. It is vital that all levels of government work together so our first responders have the resources they need, and I’m proud to be part of this effort.”

Congressman Paul Tonko said, “Capital Region first responders put their own personal safety at risk to safeguard our communities, and the last thing they should have to worry about is whether or not they have the tools needed to perform their duties. I thank Governor Cuomo for taking a proactive approach to protecting our infrastructure and demonstrating that investment in mitigation saves taxpayers much more in the long term.”

Congressman Bill Owens said, “This funding supports the readiness of our region’s first responders to handle any emergency. Their preparedness is especially critical here in Northern New York where severe weather has displaced residents and caused significant damage in recent years. I applaud Governor Cuomo and the State of New York for these investments in the safety and security of our communities.”

Congressman Tom Reed said, “This type of funding provides first responders with the tools and training necessary to care for members of our community. These grants will allow for our local emergency response teams to more efficiently respond to acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.”

Congressman Chris Gibson said, “As the son of a 37-year volunteer firefighter and as a military veteran, I deeply appreciate the hard work and sacrifices of our first responders and their families. We have an obligation to provide these brave men and women with all the resources they need to safely and swiftly respond to emergency situations. Thank you to the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for working with our local municipalities to carry out these programs.”

Congressman Michael Grimm said, “If recent events prove anything - from the Ebola outbreak, to the threat of lone-wolf terrorism, to the massive public events like the New York City Marathon – it’s that major cities like New York face an enormous burden on our resources and the emergency responders who keep us all safe. That’s why grants like these to support the brave men and women of the FDNY are so crucial, and I thank Governor Cuomo for his partnership in continuing to prioritize this critical funding.”

Congressman Richard Hanna said, “Our local response teams should have the most up-to-date training and equipment when an emergency occurs. These resources will go a long way in improving our response capabilities throughout upstate New York, which will keep our communities safe.”

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said, "Our local law enforcement and first responders courageously risk their lives on the front lines of any threats to the safety of our neighbors and communities. This critical investment in our infrastructure, training and security will give our heroes the resources they need to keep our neighborhoods safe for thousands of Hudson Valley families and millions of New Yorkers."

Congresswoman Grace Meng said, “This money will go a long way towards protecting our residents, assisting first responders and safeguarding our infrastructure. These critical grants will help keep New York safe, and I commend the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for making them available.”