Governor Phil Bredesen Tuesday announced that Tennessee has been awarded more than $20 million in federal Homeland Security grants. The grants will be distributed to Tennessee’s 11 Homeland Security Districts to help first responders in local communities improve readiness, response and recovery capabilities for both natural and man-made emergencies, including Chattanooga.
"Homeland security grants are important in helping the state improve its capabilities to effectively prepare, prevent and respond to many disasters,” said Governor Bredesen. “Through this funding, emergency services agencies across the state will continue to enhance their resources and tools, effectively equipping our first responders with the training and equipment necessary to keep their communities safe.”
The federal Homeland Security Grant Program included the following grants:
State Homeland Security Funds - $11.8 million to enhance capabilities through planning, equipment, training and exercise activities. States must dedicate at least 25 percent of SHSP funds to law enforcement terrorism prevention activities.
Urban Areas Security Initiative -$4.2 million to Memphis to build capabilities in high-threat, high-density urban areas across the country.
Urban Areas Security Initiative -$2.8 million to Nashville to build capabilities in high-threat, high-density urban areas across the country.
Metropolitan Medical Response -$1.28 million to Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga to enhance mass casualty preparedness and response capabilities.
Citizen Corps Program -$285,000 to engage citizens in community preparedness.
The SHSP, UASI, MMRS and CCP are four preparedness programs within the overall Homeland Security Grant Program. Together, these grants fund a wide range of preparedness activities, to include planning, organization, equipment purchase, training, exercises, and management and administration costs.