WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) hailed the recent award of more than $23.8 million in fiscal year 2019 federal preparedness grants for Maryland. Preparedness grants are allocated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to state, local, tribal and territorial governments as well as non-government entities. Rather than reacting to a specific disaster, they support citizens and first responders in preparing for, protecting against, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating all hazards.

“The safety of all families and everyone in our communities is a basic responsibility of the federal government,” said Senator Cardin. “These federal funds will equip Maryland with the tools to address many different types of threats. Each of the grantees must work together effectively to improve protections for all of our communities.”

“Our communities are best served by being prepared for disasters, not just reacting to them – and the federal government plays a critical role in making sure that states are well-positioned to handle any crisis. This investment will allow Maryland to do just that, and I will keep fighting to ensure our state has the resources it needs to protect our families,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.

The Maryland allocations of these grant programs are as follows:

Homeland Security Grant Program – State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) supports states in the implementation of strategies to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events. At least 25 percent will be used for law enforcement terrorism prevention activities.

• $8 million statewide

Homeland Security Grant Program – Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) provides funding to address the unique needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. At least 25 percent will be used for law enforcement terrorism prevention activities.

• $4 million for the Baltimore Area

Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG) allocates resources to state and local emergency management agencies to prepare for all hazards.

• $6,461,761 statewide

Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) awards funding for physical security enhancements and activities to organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack.

• $1,601,726 for 21 nonprofits in the Baltimore area (designated high-risk urban area)
• $1,277,388 for 14 nonprofits in the National Capital Region from Maryland (designated high-risk urban area)
• $150,000 to the state for other nonprofits statewide 

Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) supports port authorities, facility operators, and state and local government agencies required to provide port security services in security activities at our ports. 

• $270,546 for Baltimore County
• $477,123 for Maryland Natural Resources Police
• $419,371 for Maryland State Police
• $703,116 for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) – Maryland Port Administration
• $54,747 for Queen Anne’s County Sherriff’s Office

Transit Security Grant Program awards funding to public transportation agencies serving urban areas for the purpose of enhancing security for bus, ferry, rail and other systems.

• $266,949 for the Maryland Transit Administration

Intercity Bus Security Grant Program supports owners and operators of intercity bus systems to increase resiliency and protect against acts of terrorism.

• $14,695 for DD Enterprises, Inc.
• $55,546 for Dillons Bus Service
• $85,475 for Adventures by Dawn, LLC

In sum, FEMA has allocated $23,838,443 in preparedness funding for the state of Maryland in fiscal year 2019. Full descriptions of the grant programs can be found via DHS here. These grants are intended to advance the nation toward FEMA’s National Preparedness Goal, which it defines as “[a] secure and resilient Nation with the capabilities required across the whole community to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk.” FEMA has the statutory authority to deliver numerous disaster and non-disaster financial assistance programs in support of FEMA’s mission, largely through grant agreements and cooperative agreements (grants). These programs account for a significant amount of the Federal funds for which FEMA is accountable.

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