DHS awards critical infrastructure grants

The US Department of Homeland Security has announced more than $844 million in grant awards as part of its Infrastructure Protection Activities (IPA) grant program. Grant awards will strengthen security at ports and enhance transit, trucking and intercity bus systems. Funds provided will be used to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies.

“With this year’s funding, the department will have provided roughly $3 billion in grants for securing the nation’s critical infrastructure and transportation systems,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “As capabilities mature, we’re encouraging state and local governments and the private sector to prioritize IED prevention and protection, communications capabilities, information sharing, and regionally based security cooperation.”

Fiscal Year 2008 IPA awards represent a 29 percent increase from last year. They include:

* Port Security Grant Program: $388.6 million
* Transit Security Grant Program: $380.1 million
* Intercity Bus Security Grant Program: $11.2 million
* Buffer Zone Protection Program: $48.5 million
* Trucking Security Grant Program (TSP): $15.5 million.

More details (PDF).

•Date: 20th May 2008• Region: US •Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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