Cuomo Announces $233M to Fund Counterterrorism, Emergency Preparedness

New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on April 8 announced more than $233 million in federal grants that will support counterterrorism and emergency preparedness activities in counties across New York State. The funding, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its Homeland Security Grant Program, supports regional preparedness efforts, including planning, organization, and training activities that are critical to sustaining and improving community prevention, protection, response, and recovery capabilities.

"New York continues to be a target for terrorism, and we must ensure there is adequate funding to prepare, plan and prevent," Governor Cuomo said. "This funding will help defend the state against those who wish to do harm and will support our first responders who are called upon when emergency strikes. Keeping New Yorkers safe is the top priority, and through these programs and exercises we will continue to work toward this goal."

The homeland security grants support exercises and training for first responders, equipment purchases, and other capabilities essential to keeping New Yorkers safe. Federal guidelines require that 25 percent of each county’s total award be directed toward law enforcement terrorism prevention activities.

Priority projects include efforts that build upon Governor Cuomo’s Citizen Preparedness Program, development of effective cyber security programs and policies, and continued coordination of emergency management planning efforts. The state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is also advancing regional partnerships and enhancing information sharing among law enforcement. The agency provides guidance and support to counties, which must submit detailed project plans in order to receive reimbursement-based grant contracts. 

Key programs and grant amounts announced include:

• The Urban Areas Security Initiative, which is providing nearly $181 million in funding to critical anti-terrorism programs in the New York City urban area, which includes New York City, the City of Yonkers, Westchester County, Nassau County, and Suffolk County.
• The State Homeland Security Program, which is providing more than $52 million in funding to counties across the state and to New York City to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic disasters.

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner John Melville said, “The last several years have especially demonstrated the urgency in and importance of preparing for unexpected emergencies. These federal grants will go a long way in training first responders and supporting local communities to ensure they are ready to prevent acts of terrorism, respond to disasters, and protect New Yorkers in each corner of the state.”

Congressman Charles B. Rangel said, "The safety and security of New Yorkers must always be our top priority. The latest FEMA grants ensure that our State will be able to prevent threats and respond to disasters in a timely and comprehensive manner. Thanks to the work of Governor Cuomo in securing this funding, our brave first responders will be fully prepared for any emergency," said Congressman Charles B. Rangel.

Congressman Eliot Engel said, “Every dollar spent on counter-terrorism measures is a dollar well spent, especially in New York. HSGP will provide $233 million to New York to support critical anti-terrorism programs, training activities for first responders, and planning for catastrophic situations throughout the state. I applaud Governor Cuomo for his efforts to keep New York safe and secure.”

Congresswoman Nita Lowey said, “I’m pleased this homeland security money will continue to benefit New York. This funding will protect people during their daily commutes, reinforce vital infrastructure in our region, and give first responders the training and equipment upgrades they need to save lives in the event of a terrorist attack. The DHS funding crisis manufactured by the House Republican majority earlier this year endangered the safety of our region by threatening these very funds. As Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to lead the charge to keep New York communities secure.”

Congressman José E. Serrano said, “Recent events around the world and in New York remind us that we regularly need to invest in and keep up to date our state’s capacity to face terrorist threats and natural disasters. That is why I have strongly supported the Urban Areas Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Program as a Member of the Appropriations Committee. These federal funds will allow New York to continue standing ready to prevent and respond to any unexpected emergency in a swift and efficient manner. I look forward to working with Governor Cuomo to ensure that the programs and activities these funds will finance are successfully implemented in our communities."

Congressman Jerrold Nadler said, “This critical federal funding is so important to our efforts to combat terrorism and support our first responders. I am pleased to be a strong supporter of securing this funding in Congress each year. The Urban Areas Security Initiative in particular has long provided the critical funding necessary to protect the City of New York. I commend Governor Cuomo for working with us to secure these funds to better protect the people of New York.”

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney said, “Governor Cuomo has continued to make the security of our state a top priority, and these federal grants will aid in that effort,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney. “I have been working to deliver additional funding for training and planning to ensure that we are prepared for unexpected emergencies. Terrorism remains a threat, and we can’t let our guard down for a minute.”

Congressman Pete King said, “As the top target of international terrorism, New York’s security is essential. These funds will go a long way to bolstering our defense and preparedness.”

Congressman Gregory Meeks said, "I fully support these federal grants to improve the training, skills, equipment, capabilities and coordination of our first responders. I thank Governor Cuomo for prioritizing investment in security and emergency-preparedness programs to prevent the events of 9-11 and prepare for natural disasters like Superstorm Sandy."

Congressman Joe Crowley said, “Sadly, we New Yorkers are no strangers to terrorism and our state continues to remain a top target for terrorists seeking to inflict damage on the United States. These federal grants will help our state better prevent, prepare for, and respond to threats against our city by funding a wide range of anti-terrorism programs, including programs through the Urban Area Security Initiative, an effort I helped spearhead in the wake of 9/11. Every investment in homeland security is critical to keeping New Yorkers safe.”

Congressman Steve Israel said, “As New Yorkers, we know how important it is to be prepared for and quickly respond to unexpected emergencies. This funding will help strengthen our already robust emergency response infrastructure and ensure that our first responders are afforded every resource necessary to keep New Yorkers safe.”

Congressman Brian Higgins, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said, “The Western New York region is a northern border community, home to four international bridges; the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station; the Niagara Power Project; it also sits along two Great Lakes which represent the largest fresh water supply in the world; and serves as the center point of a 500 mile radius that includes approximately 55% of the U.S. population and 62% of the Canadian population. Federal Homeland Security funding is essential to protect our unique risk features and prepare our region for emergency situations.”

Congressman Paul Tonko said, "This funding will ensure first responders and local community leaders throughout our state receive the training and education they need to respond to unexpected disasters. I would like to thank Governor Cuomo for recognizing the importance of mitigation and preparedness, and I have no doubt that it will go a long way in helping our communities to be stronger and more resilient in the face of emergency."

Congressman Richard Hanna said, "These federal funds will be put to good use in our communities to respond to and recover from emergencies like severe weather that we often experience in upstate New York from heavy snowfall to rising floodwaters. It will also ensure that our first responders are well prepared and equipped to protect our neighbors when disaster strikes. You don't expect to require such services until you're facing an emergency and it's critical."

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said, “The Hudson Valley has been hit hard by Irene, Sandy and Lee, and these important resources will allow our first responders to prepare and protect our communities from both terrorism and natural disasters.”

Congresswoman Grace Meng said, "New York is the number one terrorist target in the country and that underscores our region's urgent need for these types of federal homeland security grants. From preventing acts of terrorism programs to responding to catastrophic disasters, it is essential that New York remain prepared and that our first responders have all the vital resources they need to keep us safe and secure. I thank FEMA and the Governor, and I'm pleased to join them in announcing these critical funds."

Congressman John Katko said, “Making sure the brave men and women who protect our local communities have the resources they need is critical to the safety of residents throughout New York State. These much-needed funds will ensure that first-responders across Central New York are better equipped to prepare for, prevent, and respond to potential emergencies in our community.”

Congresswoman Kathleen Rice said, “This federal funding is absolutely critical to the local law enforcement agencies and emergency responders on the ground who we count on to prevent, prepare for and respond to acts of terrorism. Especially in New York, where our communities face inordinately high risk of attack, local agencies rely on these funds to do their jobs and meet our unique security needs. These grants were unnecessarily delayed because of the political fight over funding DHS for the year ahead, but I’m glad that DHS has acted quickly to ensure that New York will have the money we need to keep people safe.”

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said, “These grants will go a long way to help protect North Country families. Ensuring that our community is properly prepared in the event of an emergency is critical and I am pleased to see this important funding coming to New York’s 21st district.”

Congressman Lee Zeldin said, "This funding is essential now more than ever as we face an increasing threat of domestic terrorism, including two New York women who were self-radicalized U.S. citizens who considered themselves to be 'citizens of the Islamic State'. Their recent preparation to detonate pressure cooker bombs in New York reminds us to remain ever vigilant. Providing the funding necessary to improve our counter-terrorism and emergency preparedness helps New Yorkers prepare for the future."