Governor Hochul Announces More than $251 Million in Federal Funding for Preparedness and Counterterrorism Efforts

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $251 million in federal funding to support counterterrorism and emergency preparedness efforts across New York. The funding, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through its FY2021 Homeland Security Grant Program, supports regional homeland security preparedness efforts, including planning, organization, equipment, training and exercise activities which are critical to sustaining and improving community prevention, protection, response, and recovery capabilities. The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services manages these programs in close coordination with local stakeholders.

"Keeping New Yorkers safe is one of our most critical responsibilities, and this funding will help localities and institutions prepare to defend against a variety threats, from natural disasters to threats of terror," Governor Hochul said. "I thank the Biden Administration and our partners in Congress for working with us to make the necessary investments that will help us protect against the impacts of climate change, as well as those posed by the appalling hate-based acts of violence we have seen unfold across the nation."

Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) said, "The insurrection of January 6th and the targeted attacks and hate crimes on the streets of New York City have taught us that we simply cannot take anything for granted - especially when it comes to the security of our communities and most crucial institutions. I commend Governor Hochul on today's announcement to allocate this federal funding that I helped secure to further support counterterrorism and emergency preparedness efforts across the great State of New York. It will take each of us working together to ensure the preparedness of our communities to thwart and counter future attacks - and this funding will ensure our state can prepare, react, and rebuild from any crisis and keep our communities safe."

State Division Homeland Security and Emergency Services Executive Deputy Commissioner Terence J. O'Leary said, "These funds will help counties and cities strengthen their counterterrorism efforts against domestic and international threats, as well as enhance our security along the northern border. The Division is committed to helping our local partners bolster their emergency preparedness posture and to protect New Yorkers against acts of terrorism."

NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario said, "Whether it's a natural disaster, global health pandemic, or act of terrorism, counties are the front-line leaders during an emergency, coordinating response and marshalling resources to protect our citizens. Preparedness is key to keeping New Yorkers safe and we commend Governor Hochul for providing local governments with the resources they need to ensure that when the next emergency arrives, county leaders are equipped with the tools and training to respond effectively."

FEMA's Homeland Security Grant Program is comprised of three separate risk-based grants aimed at assisting state, local and tribal efforts in preventing, preparing for, protecting against and responding to acts of terrorism. Those programs are the State Homeland Security Program, the Urban Area Security Initiative and Operation Stonegarden.

State Homeland Security Program - $70.6 million
The State Homeland Security Program provides funding to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic disasters. Per federal guidelines, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services awards 80% of this funding to local jurisdictions. This includes the list of awards below, as well as an additional suite of targeted grants which will be made available in the coming months. The remaining 20% of funding is used by the state to further enhance New York's counterterrorism and emergency preparedness posture statewide.

Investments were required to support the following priority areas to build statewide capabilities:

• Strengthening Intelligence and Information-Sharing Capabilities
• Enhancing Cyber Security Capabilities
• Addressing Emerging Threats
• Enhancing the Protection of Soft Targets/Crowded Places
• Combating Domestic Violent Extremism

Executive Director of the New York State Conference of Mayors Peter A. Baynes said, "New York's mayors thank Governor Hochul for her concerted effort to get this critically important homeland security and emergency preparedness funding out to local governments throughout New York. The top priority of every local leader is to protect the health, safety and welfare of their citizens and this funding will go a long way toward fulfilling that mission. NYCOM looks forward to continuing to work closely with Governor Hochul to forge a strong state-local partnership."

Award amounts are listed below:

Urban Areas Security Initiative - $178.7 million
This funding is awarded to jurisdictions in the New York City metropolitan area under the Urban Areas Security Initiative grant. The region will use this money to sustain and enhance their critical anti-terrorism programs. Based on federal guidelines, 80% of the award is allocated to partners in the region's Urban Area Working Group, using a consensus-based process, and the consensus agreement for these funds is outlined below.

An additional $18,032,588 will also be allocated and is included in the awards below to the City of New York from the State's portion of the 2021 Fiscal Year Urban Areas Security Initiative grant, in recognition of the City's unique position in terms of potential threats from terrorist-related activities. The remaining funding is used by the state to further enhance New York's counterterrorism and emergency preparedness posture in the urban area.

Award amounts are listed below:

Operation Stonegarden Grant Program - $1.9 million
This grant provides critical funding to enhance cooperation and coordination between federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies through the support of joint operations which are conducted along the northern border.

About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or Instagram, or visit dhses.ny.gov.