Capital Region Agencies to Receive $165,000 in Homeland Security Grants

ALBANY, NY (12/06/2010)(readMedia)-- John R. Gibb, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), today announced that six Capital Region agencies will receive $165,796 to support specific homeland security and disaster response capabilities.

"Providing these funds to local government agencies to build our capabilities is vital especially during these times of fiscal restraint," Gibb said. "These monies will go a long way in helping our first responders and communities prepare for the realities they may face in today's world."

These "targeted" grants are for two program areas:

• Explosive Detection Canine Grant Program

• Companion Animal Sheltering Equipment (CASE) Grant program

Funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's State Homeland Security Program. These programs were created as part of the State's Homeland Security Strategy and help fill identified shortfalls in unique response areas.

Grants were awarded to the following:

Explosive Detection Canine

Organization Grant Amount

Columbia County Sheriff's Office $49,200

City of Troy Police Department $48,100

Saratoga County Sheriff's Office $33,200

Total $130,500

Explosive Detection Canine Teams provide a visible, proactive police presence in areas of mass gatherings, transportation centers, and critical infrastructure. In addition to this deterrence presence, they provide a mobile response capability for detection and identification of potential explosive/improvised device types of incidents.

Under this program, DHSES will support the development of a canine team within 11 local law enforcement agencies. Grant funds would be utilized to purchase the dog, a vehicle, and for training. Local law enforcement agencies participating in this program would be required to identify a handler for the dog and to provide funding for the dog's food, supplies and veterinary care.

Companion Animal Sheltering

Organization Grant Amount

Schoharie, Greene and Columbia counties $35,296

The CASE grant is a competitive program to develop from five to 10 regional mobile equipment caches across the State. This grant will fund the necessary planning, equipment, training and exercises to enable operational pet sheltering capabilities that can be deployed statewide.

Pet issues emerged during the December 2008 ice storm in eastern sections of the State as well as during the extensive flooding in central and eastern areas in late June and July 2006. There has been minimal statewide capacity to shelter pets in emergencies which typically results in poor human compliance with evacuation orders, thus increasing the risk to the health and safety of both the public and first responders.

"I am pleased we were awarded the 2010 Homeland Security CASE grant," said Judith L. Warner, Director of the Schoharie County Emergency Management Office. "This grant will enhance our abilities to respond to all type of emergencies that involve companion animals. Our partnership with Greene and Columbia counties will help us to share resources and education to the general public on preparedness for their pets. As rural counties we are experiencing cutbacks with the current economic situation; we all have to do more with limited resources and to partnership with others is a win-win situation for all. Companion Pet Sheltering is something I believe is very important and I'm grateful that Homeland Security provides this funding to assist in our response."

###