(Warwick, R.I.) - Congressman Jim Langevin today announced $11.6 million in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for various agencies in Rhode Island. This round of grants will help state and local agencies as well as non-profits prepare for and respond to natural and man-made disasters.

“This funding is essential to ensure Rhode Island is prepared to respond to all types of emergencies, at any time,” said Langevin, a member of the Homeland Security Committee.  “It is always a top priority of mine to make sure Rhode Island has the appropriate resources to be ready for any scenario that may come our way.”

The department will award approximately $3 billion nationally in Fiscal Year 2008. The funding coming to Rhode Island includes:
 
• State Homeland Security Program: $6,170,000 for bomb squads, haz-mat and decontamination teams and interoperable communications

• Urban Area Security Initiative: $5,015,000 for training and general infrastructure security in the Providence area

• Metropolitan Medical Response System: $321,221 for electronic triage and patient tracking equipment, training and mobile emergency medical response equipment
 
• Non Profit Security Grant Program: $74,391 for infrastructure improvements at Rhode Island Hospital

Please visit www.fema.gov/grants for additional information on Fiscal Year 2008 preparedness grants.

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