Department Of Homeland Security Awards $4.7 Million Grant For Emergency Operations Center
Nevada Receives Funds To Facilitate Critical Work On Operations Center
Release Date: September 25, 2003
Release Number: R9-03-82
» 2003 Region IX News Releases
Oakland, CA -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today that $4.7 million is being made available in the form of a grant to the Nevada Division of Emergency Management for the construction of a new emergency operations center (EOC). The grant is one of several being distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grants are designed to help improve emergency preparedness and management by ensuring that EOCs have the suitable capabilities that provide flexibility, sustainability, security, survivability, and interoperability when responding to emergencies.
"Maintaining strong EOCs are essential for the effective direction, control and coordination of emergency response efforts," said DHS Under Secretary Michael D. Brown. "The funds will be used on projects that range from the construction of new EOCs to providing alternate sites for continuity of operations purposes."
The grants were awarded through a competitive application process and were part of $81 million made available through FEMA for the EOC grant program. An initial $2.8 million in funds was previously provided to all states in December 2002, which provided each state with $50,000 to conduct an initial assessment of the hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks to state and local existing EOCs. In addition to funding the initial assessments, $4.3 million was awarded to the states to provide secure communications capabilities.
"This is an important development in Nevada's efforts to build a modern facility that will enable the state to handle any type of emergency situation," said Governor Kenny C. Guinn. "The new EOC will allow us to better coordinate all of our state resources in response to Nevada's needs."
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Thursday, 25-Sep-2003 15:38:45