Western NY Agencies to Receive $523,000 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 16 Western New York agencies will receive $523,680 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 three program areas:

• Explosive Detection Canine Grant Program

• Companion Animal Sheltering Equipment (CASE) Grant program

• Technical Rescue/Urban Search and Rescue (T/USAR) Grant Program

Funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's State Homeland Security Program. These three 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

Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office $50,000

Erie County Sheriff's Office $20,000

Total $70,000

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.

Technical/Urban Search and Rescue (T/USAR)

Organization Grant Amount

Buffalo Fire Department $149,693

Monroe County $123,630

Total $273,323

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

Monroe and Livingston counties $59,972

Ontario and Yates counties $31,190

Niagara, Erie, Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties $60,000

Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties $29,195

Total $180,357

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.

"Monroe County is pleased to be the recipient of this first-time grant," said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks. "Oftentimes during a disaster, people are faced with the difficult decision of having to leave their pets and animals behind. This grant will give those pet-owners relief from making that choice and allow them to concentrate on their immediate needs."

"Animals are part of the family unit," said Elaine Roman, Public Health Planning and Information Officer and Public Health Preparedness and Response Coordinator, for the Niagara County Department of Health. "In an emergency, it is important for families to know all of their members are safe and will receive needed care. Family members may compromise their own safety decisions based on whether their beloved pets are protected from injury and discomfort. Communities are made up of families and their animals. This grant will help assure the resilience of communities in our region by providing the tools to respond to the needs of human/animal family units in any type of emergency,"

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