Texas Receives Grant From DHS To Help Combat, Prevent Terrorism

“These grants will enhance state and local officials’ efforts to not only confront, but also prepare for and prevent, attacks before they happen…”

Governor Greg Abbott announced $55.5 million in Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) funding to support state and local efforts to prevent terror attacks and crack down on terroristic activity in Texas.

These awards will help fund local anti-terrorism efforts across the state, including 227 different State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) projects and 134 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) projects designed to combat terrorist activity in Texas.

“Texas is confronted with a wide range of threats that pose a risk to our safety and security each day, and as Governor, my first priority is to ensure the safety and security of all Texans,” said Governor Abbott. “These grants will enhance state and local officials’ efforts to not only confront, but also prepare for and prevent, attacks before they happen. I thank U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen for helping to make these grants possible, and I remain committed to keeping the Lone Star State safe.”

These grant awards will invest in the core capabilities outlined in the National Preparedness Goal and will strengthen Texas’ ability to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other catastrophic events. Those capabilities include:

• Special Response Teams and First Responder Capabilities: $19.9 million to provide equipment, training, and exercise support for local, regional, and state level response teams such as SWAT, Bomb, HAZMAT, Search and Rescue (SAR), and for other law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services personnel that serve communities across the state.

• State, Regional & Local Planning: $12.1 million to support state-wide planning and preparedness efforts that provide the foundation for effective homeland security capability development and implementation in Texas.

• Interoperable Emergency Communications: $8.1 million to sustain and enhance operational communications capabilities which will facilitate information sharing and effective coordination essential for the successful response to all types of threats and hazards.

• Fusion Centers: $3.7 million to support state and regional fusion centers which promote ongoing intelligence and information sharing capabilities and provide analysis, production and exchange of critical data between federal, state, and local partners.

The Governor’s Homeland Security Grants Division (HSGD) administers both the SHSP and UASI grant programs in coordination with the 24 regional Councils of Governments (COGs) and Urban Area Working Groups (UAWGs), which are located in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Houston, and San Antonio.

All projects funded were selected based on risk assessments and planning processes that identified capability gaps and opportunities to foster coordination among agencies across the five mission areas. HSGP is open to state, tribal, and local jurisdictions statewide.

Agencies interested in applying for funds to support their terrorism preparedness initiatives during the next grant cycle for FY 2019 should reach out to the homeland security personnel at their local COG to learn about any region specific timelines or requirements.