Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court, Richmond, VA 23236
CONTACT:
Laura Southard, VDEM, (804) 897-6510
laura.southard@vdem.virginia.gov
FOR RELEASE AT WILL - June 7, 2010
Virginia awarded $9.6 million through infrastructure protection program
RICHMOND, VA –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness more than $9.6 million for Virginia and National Capital Region ports, transit systems and critical infrastructure sites through the Infrastructure Protection Grant Program. The IPGP consists of programs aimed at emergency planning for terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies.
- Transit Security Grant provides grant funding to the nation’s key high-threat urban areas to enhance security measures for their critical transit infrastructures, including bus, rail and ferry systems. The Alexandria Transit Company will receive $200,000 directly from DHS.
- Freight & Railway Grant helps freight railroad carriers and owners of railroad cars to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies. Norfolk Southern Railway will receive $724,250 directly from DHS.
- Port Security Grant Program supports efforts to protect seaports listed on the U.S. Coast Guard’s list of critical seaports, which includes Hampton Roads. Awards are based on the port’s relative risk and the relationship of each project to security priorities. Hampton Roads will receive $4,280,407 and the Port of Richmond will receive $625,000 directly from DHS.
- Intercity Bus Grant Program assists fixed-route intercity and charter bus services in obtaining the resources required to support security measures such as enhanced planning, facility security upgrades, and vehicle and driver protection. Various Bus Lines will receive $428,385 directly from DHS.
- Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant help State, territory, local, and tribal governments to carry out initiatives to improve interoperable emergency communications, including communications in collective response to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. The Commonwealth will receive $1,223,500.
- Emergency Operations Center Grant helps localities improve emergency management and preparedness capabilities by supporting flexible, sustainable, secure, and interoperable Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) with a focus on addressing identified deficiencies and needs. The city of Hopewell will receive $250,000 and Washington County will receive $187,488.
- Drivers Licenses Security Grant helps to prevent terrorism, reduce fraud, and improve the reliability and accuracy of personal identification documents that States and territories issue. DLSGP is intended to address a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission to improve the integrity and security of state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will receive $1,098,276 directly from DHS.
- Buffer Zone Protection Grant provides funds, specifically for planning and equipment, to state and local governments to secure critical infrastructures, including chemical facilities, nuclear and electric power plants, dams, stadiums, arenas and other high-risk areas. The Commonwealth will receive $600,000.
VDEM will act as the state administrative agency for grant programs that do not go directly to the recipient. The Office of Commonwealth Preparedness provides oversight, coordination and review of federal resources and emergency plans for the Commonwealth and its agencies.
These awards are the first round of release, and fund will be available within two months. The second round of program awards is scheduled to be announced in July.
More information about the IPGP and awards nationwide are available at http://www.fema.gov/pdf/government/grant/bulletins/info342.pdf.
###
VA Business Toolkit
Citizen Corps
How can we make this site better? 