Cohen Announces More Than $1.3 Million for Readiness Cooperative Agreement

MEMPHIS, TN – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the State of Tennessee $1,345,108 in new federal funds to be used in the City of Memphis to help finance the Readiness Cooperative Agreement. The purpose of the Agreement is to continue the development and maintenance of National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response system resources to be prepared for mission response and to provide qualified personnel in support of Emergency Support Function-9 (ESF-9) activities under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Framework (NRF).

“I am very pleased to announce that FEMA has awarded the City of Memphis these new federal funds,” said Congressman Cohen. “By ensuring that each US&R task force maintains a high standard and condition of operational readiness, these finances will help guarantee that Memphis is more prepared than ever to respond swiftly and effectively to a crisis situation.”

Specifically, these agreements provide a mechanism for distribution of Cooperative Agreement funding for certain purposes in preparation for US&R disaster response, including response to incidents involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD), National Special Security Events (NSSE) or other designated disasters or emergencies. Funds are made available to accomplish the accompanying objectives. This Cooperative Agreement allows each US&R Task Force the opportunity to maintain a high standard and condition of operational readiness and includes guidance on key areas for Task Force management to focus on continued preparedness efforts.

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