Senators Chris Dodd, (D-CT), and Joe Lieberman, (ID-CT), announced Thursday that Connecticut will receive more than $1.1 million in port security grants from the Infrastructure Protection Program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). New London will receive $767,438, Bridgeport will receive $285,336 and New Haven will receive $48,500. Connecticut will also receive $728, 231 in Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPF) as part of the FY2007 Supplemental Appropriations. Furthermore, Connecticut will participate in a $37-million transit security grant program for the New York City metropolitan area
“Providing the necessary security to our ports and public transportation systems is critical part to protecting our citizens, “said Dodd. “These resources will help ensure that Connecticut continues to be both prepared and effectively able to respond to unexpected disasters.”
“These grants represent a continued effort to protect Connecticut’s ports and public transportation from the threat of terrorism. The grants for Bridgeport, New London, and New Haven will help guard our citizens from dangerous materials entering our ports,” Lieberman said. “The Emergency Management grants will assist the state in better preparing for natural and man made disasters.”
The funding for Bridgeport, New London and New Haven is part of the federal Port Security Grant (PSG) Program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This year’s port security grants totaled more than $2,312,408 for Connecticut. The grants are intended to help protect critical infrastructure from terrorism that would cause a significant loss of life and critically disrupt commerce.
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