North Country Agencies to Receive $116,000 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 seven North Country agencies will receive $116,872 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:

• Technical Rescue/Urban Search and Rescue (T/USAR) 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 two 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:

Technical/Urban Search and Rescue (T/USAR)

Organization Grant Amount

Watertown Fire Department $37,972

The Technical Rescue Grant/USAR Program launched by DHSES in conjunction with the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) seeks to target and develop regional technical rescue capabilities across the State. Many local jurisdictions have participated in OFPC's USAR training programs and this program is to further that training and enhance their capabilities.

This grant targets capabilities for structural collapse, trench, confined spaces, swift water or rope rescue. The program emphasizes regional partnerships and resource typing and focuses on equipment, planning and training.

State Fire Administrator Floyd A. Madison said, "I am heartened that we have been able to provide these funds for fire personnel across New York State. These monies will help enhance the capability in the Fire Service to aid New Yorkers in their time of need."

Companion Animal Sheltering

Organization Grant Amount

Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton counties $37,800

Clinton, Franklin and Essex counties $41,100

Total $78,900

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.

"This grant will help us build upon and sustain the capabilities we have been growing since we were awarded funding last year," said Eric Day, Director of Emergency Management, Clinton County. "These funds will help us continue to provide animal sheltering and more, and we are thankful for this opportunity to continue to assist the public again"

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