Maryland to receive $80.6 million in DHS grants

Several elected officials announced Monday that Maryland would receive $80,619,955 in emergency preparedness grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The grants, awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will help Maryland prepare for and respond to emergencies.

“One of the most basic functions of government is to protect and prevent citizens from being harmed,” Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) said. “These federal funds elevate the safety and preparedness of communities throughout Maryland, and give the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have a federal partner as committed to their mission as they are.”

The grants range in size and scope and include $537,391 in federal funding to help protect Baltimore-area high-risk, nonprofit institutions from terrorist attacks.

The grant, awarded by the Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program, funds activities to help nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack undertake emergency preparedness activities.

"These grants get us one step closer to keeping Maryland safe, standing up for our first responders and making sure that if terror strikes, measures are in place to protect and save lives,” Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-D), vice chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said. “I will never stop fighting for our first responders as they protect our safety here at home. I will keep standing up to protect institutions that are vital to our communities and the physical, social, spiritual and educational well-being of all Americans.”