What Happened?
Public safety agencies in Charlotte, North Carolina, will be using $3 million in federal funds to support new strategies to combat threats of local terrorism. Charlotte officials aim to develop a county-wide response plan for local terrorist attacks to ensure all agencies and citizens are prepared.
The Goal
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be allocating the money to provide law enforcement and public safety agencies with the necessary resources to implement new strategies and proactively prepare for domestic acts of terrorism that remain persistent across the country.
One event in particular, the presence of an active shooter, is something local agencies are focused on creating a set of processes around to identify and contain the threat while removing citizens from danger.
Charlotte law enforcement and public safety agencies are collaborating with fire departments to coordinate trainings specific to local terrorist attacks. While law enforcement will work to contain any threat, fire departments and first responders will be in charge of attending to any wounded and transporting them to hospitals.
The grant money from the federal government will be used to purchase equipment, assist law enforcement collaboration across the nearby 11 counties in North Carolina, and fund training initiatives for public safety and police departments.
Public Safety Grant Options
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Homeland Security Grant Program offers federal funding to municipalities seeking increased protection from a variety of threats.
- Urban Areas Security Initiative: The funding in Charlotte will be awarded through the Urban Areas Security Initiative which was created to support unique planning, organization, equipment purchases, training and exercise needs of urban areas with a high risk of local terrorism. Cities receiving grants through this program can use the money to build resources and processes to prevent, mitigate, respond to and effectively recover from acts of terrorism. Last year, the program distributed $558,745,566 to cities across the nation.
- State Homeland Security Program The Federal Emergency Management Agency also offers grants through the State Homeland Security Program to support national Homeland Security Strategies at the state level. The funding can be used to help states plan, organize, equip, train and exercise public safety agencies in preventing, mitigating, responding to and recovering from acts of terrorism. Furthermore, the funds can be used for the State Prepared Reports to ensure states have the necessary protocol to respond to terrorism or other catastrophes. Last year, the federal government awarded $354,644,123 to state governments to fund these initiatives.
- Operation Stonegarden The Federal Emergency Management Agency also offers grants through the Operation Stonegarden program that focuses on enhancing cooperation and coordination between local, tribal, territorial, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The emphasis of these programs typically lies on protecting and securing U.S. national borders with Mexico and Canada, as well as those between individual states. In addition, the program works to tighten security around territories bordering on international waters. Last year, the federal government awarded $55,000,000 to help increase coordination of border control.
To apply for any of these grants or others offered, as well as determine eligibility, check out FEMA’s website.
Strength in Teamwork
Gov1 has followed several federal grants distributed at the local level to help improve public safety.