WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a senior member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced that Maryland and the National Capitol Region have been awarded a total of $42.7 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The funds will be used for training and equipment for first responders in order to prevent, deter and respond to terrorist attacks. The grants are funded through the fiscal year 2008 Homeland Security Grant Program, and are distributed to states based on a DHS formula. As a member of the Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski fights every year to increase funding for this program.

“Keeping Maryland and America safe is my top priority. That’s why I fight to provide increased funding for DHS grant programs, and why I will continue to work to make sure Maryland gets its fair share,” said Senator Mikulski. “We must protect our protectors and make sure people on the front lines have the equipment and resources they need to do their jobs and keep us safe.”

Senator Mikulski was pleased to see a substantial federal investment in three major grant programs that are critical to Maryland and the National Capitol Region:

• Maryland will receive $18 million through the State Homeland Security Grant Program, which will help state and local public safety and law enforcement personnel pay for training, equipment and planning exercises to prevent, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks or other emergencies.

• The City of Baltimore will receive $11.55 million through Urban Area Security Initiative Allocations (UASI). These funds will be used to enhance local emergency, prevention and response agencies’ ability to prepare for and respond to threats or incidents of terrorism. Funds provided under this grant are designed to address the unique needs of large urban areas, and can be used for equipment, training, exercises and planning.

• The National Capitol Region will receive $11.6 million in funding through the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP). This program was created last year and focuses on high-risk urban areas and surrounding regions. Recent federal assessments of catastrophic event planning and preparedness have highlighted the need for improved and expanded regional collaboration. The RCPGP will address shortcomings in existing regional plans, help identify roles and responsibilities for each organization, and improve collaborative efforts between high-risk regions to respond to catastrophic events. This funding is a combination of fiscal year 2007 and 2008 funding but was awarded together today.