WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Representative David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $1,000,000 in federal funding for the Mid-Atlantic Center for Emergency Management and Public Safety at Frederick Community College in Frederick, Md. The funds were awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Homeland Security National Training Program/Continuing Training Grants, which supports training to prepare communities to prevent, respond to, and recover from hazardous events. The funding will back the Center’s work to provide academic and career credentials and professional services to individuals pursuing careers in emergency management.
“We need a capable and competent workforce to protect our communities from emergencies. Through the important work of the Mid-Atlantic Center for Emergency Management and Public Safety at Frederick Community College, these funds will enable individuals who have chosen to dedicate their lives to public safety to be trained right here in Maryland,” said Senator Cardin.
“Well-trained emergency management professionals are crucial to our ability to quickly and effectively respond to crisis situations. This funding will help Frederick Community College prepare these dedicated professionals and will ultimately help ensure our communities are ready for a range of emergency situations,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees. “I will keep working in Congress to harden our resiliency and provide funding for disaster preparation efforts across our state.”
“When an emergency strikes, we rely on well-trained professionals to keep our community safe,” said Rep. David Trone. “With this funding, Frederick Community College can continue to prepare our emergency personnel to do the honorable work of protecting our homes and workplaces. I will continue to do my part to support those that keep us safe.”
The members fought to secure $8 million in funding for the Homeland Security National Training Program/Continuing Training Grants in the Fiscal Year 2019 omnibus appropriations bill, despite the attempts of the Administration to slash this funding in its budget proposals. The Homeland Security National Training Program/Continuing Training Grants provides funding though cooperative agreements to partners to develop and deliver training to prepare communities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and natural, man-made, and technological hazards.
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