AUSTIN, Texas (KETK) – Governor Greg Abbott announced $61.2 million in Homeland Security Grant Program funding to support statewide efforts against terrorism and prepare for threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to Texas and its citizens.
“As Governor, my top priority is keeping our communities safe,” said Governor Abbott. “These grants will ensure our communities have the resources they need to counter terrorism statewide and enhance security for all Texans. Our ongoing efforts to keep Texas safe would not be possible without our partnership with the federal government, and I thank them for their continued assistance.”
The grant will incest in core capabilities outlined in the National Preparedness Goal and serve to strengthen Texas’ ability to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond, and recover from terrorism.
Those capabilities include:
- Special response teams and first responder capabilities – $24.3 million provided for equipment, training, and exercise support for teams such as SWAT, bomb, HAZMAT, search and rescue, law enforcement, and fire and emergency medical services
- State, regional, and local planning – $13.4 million to support planning and preparedness efforts that provide the foundation for effective homeland security capability development and implementation in Texas
- Interoperable emergency communications – $8.3 million to sustain and enhance operational communications which facilitate information sharing and effective coordination for all types of threats and hazards
- Fusion centers – $3.2 million to support state and regional fusion centers thereby promoting ongoing intelligence and information sharing capabilities and the analysis, production, and exchange of critical threat data between federal, state, and local partners
