WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced $34,328,303 in emergency preparedness grants for Maryland from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The grants, awarded by the DHS Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will help Maryland prepare for and respond to emergencies.

“While these are difficult economic times, Congress has a critical responsibility to protect American citizens from harm,” said Senator Cardin. “These grants will help ensure that our law enforcement officials have the tools they need to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks or to deal with any natural disasters.”   

The grants, announced today by DHS, range in size and scope. They include $453,867 in federal funding awarded through the to help protect Baltimore-area high-risk non-profit institutions from terrorist attacks. The grant, awarded by the DHS Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program, funds activities to help nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack undertake emergency preparedness activities.

“No one should feel threatened or unsafe when attending a synagogue, church, mosque, or any religiously affiliated institution,” said Senator Cardin. “This funding will strengthen collaboration among federal, state and local governments in protecting religious institutions and nonprofit organizations from acts of terrorism. This federal investment is an important part of our national and homeland security.” 

“These grants get us one step closer to keeping Maryland safe, standing up for our first responders and making sure that if terror strikes, measures are in place to protect and save lives,” Senator Mikulski said. “I will keep standing up for our first responders as they protect our safety here at home. I will keep fighting to protect institutions that are vital to our communities and the physical, social, spiritual and educational well-being of all Americans.”

A full list of the grant awards is as follows:

• Transit Security Grant, in the amount of $9,096,938, to enhance security measures at critical transit infrastructure points;
• State Homeland Security Grant, in the amount of $7,909,769, to support the implementation of State Homeland Security Strategies;
• Urban Security Area Initiative Grant, in the amount of $7,813,444, to address the unique security needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas;
• Emergency Management Performance Grant, in the amount of $6,083,731, to assist in preparing for all hazards in Maryland;
• Port Security Grant, in the amount of $1,611,356, to implement Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans;
• Drivers License Security Grant, in the amount of $829,473, to prevent terrorism, reduce fraud and improve the reliability and accuracy of personal information;
• Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant, in the amount of $453,867, for preparedness activities for nonprofit organizations at high risk of terrorist attacks;
• Metropolitan Medical Response System Grant, in the amount of $281,693, to support the integration of emergency management, health and medical system in their response to mass casualty incidents; and,
• Citizen Corps Grant, in the amount of $184,523, to coordinate the involvement of community organizations in emergency preparedness and response.
• Intercity Bus Security Grant, in the amount of $63,509, to five private companies to create a sustainable program for the protection of intercity bus systems and the traveling public from terrorism.

Senator Cardin is member of the Budget and Finance committees. Senator Mikulski is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations committee, which puts money in the federal checkbook for these grant programs. 

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