Garrett County To Receive $183K From Homeland Security Program

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Garrett County To Receive $183K From Homeland Security Program


Oct. 30, 2008

Gov. Martin O'Malley announced last Thursday that nearly $26.7 million in homeland security grant funds had been awarded to local communities in Maryland. The funds are part of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant programs for state and local government.
Garrett County will receive $183,077, the least amount of the state's counties and three select cities. Allegany County was awarded $326,137.

Baltimore City will receive the most Homeland Security funding in the state at $2.42 million, plus $11.39 million from the Baltimore Urban Area Security Initiative. Annapolis will receive $404,763, and Ocean City will get $400,531.

Baltimore County was awarded the most Homeland Security funding, $1.25 million, of the counties, followed by Prince George's, $1.34 million, Montgomery, $1.27 million, and Anne Arundel, $1.06 million.

"Even in difficult economic times, providing safety and security for the people of Maryland remains one of government’s primary functions," noted O'Malley. "The demands on our public safety community do not decline when available resources are limited. In spite of a reduction in federal funding, we remain committed to providing the resources necessary for the brave men and women who serve as first responders."

Once again this year, the governor passed through 85 percent of the available funds under the State Homeland Security Grant Program to local governments, despite a minimum legal mandate of 80 percent. The state also passed through 98.5 percent of the Baltimore Urban Area Security Initiative.

Funds are being provided to every county in Maryland, Baltimore City, Ocean City, and Annapolis. Funding amounts were determined by providing a baseline amount to each jurisdiction, with the balance of funds allocated using a formula calculating each jurisdiction’s risk level. The formula was developed by the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in coordination with emergency management and law enforcement personnel from local jurisdictions.

"We understand that many local jurisdictions in Maryland are facing severe budget conditions, which is why we continue to pass though more homeland security money to local governments than federal law mandates," said MEMA director Richard Muth. "I would like to thank my staff at MEMA and their colleagues at other state agencies, along with our local partners, for spending this money where it will do the most good."

Each of the local jurisdictions receiving funds – the 23 counties, plus Annapolis, Baltimore, and Ocean City – will receive an average of about 11 percent less than last year, mirroring the reduction in total funding to the state.

Funds will be used for a variety of projects, including providing protective equipment to first responders, hardening critical infrastructure, and building interoperable communications systems.

The $2.7 million in funds for the state will be used to support equipment purchases for state agencies, state-funded regional response units, and other state-wide initiatives. Local responders and emergency managers will also benefit from much of the state's portion of the federal funds, according to O'Malley's office.

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