Nevada was awarded $4.7 million Wednesday in federal Homeland Security money for 2014, according to the state's Department of Public Safety.
The grant award, known as the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, goes to states that are considered the nation’s highest risk areas, including urban areas that face the most significant threats.
“It is critically important that we provide the safest environment possible for the millions of people who live, work, and play in our great state,” said Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval. “As a premier tourist destination, Nevada receives visitors from across the country and around the world every year, generating billions of dollars in economic activity.
"These funds are critical to our health and safety and our economic security. I want to thank Secretary Johnson and the Department of Homeland Security for their responsiveness to our concerns, and all the state and local agencies for their diligent work to bring these funds to our state,” said Sandoval.
For fiscal year 2014, the Urban Areas Security Initiative will enhance regional preparedness by funding 39 high-threat, high-density urban areas—increasing the number of UASI funded urban areas from FY 2013 and funding the highest number of urban areas nation-wide since FY 2010.
Homeland Security distributes funds to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and through the Urban Area Security Initiative the money is allocated to cities across the nation according to a risk based ranking. Las Vegas ranked 29 in 2014, receiving $1 million to be designated to the Las Vegas area, a 100 percent increase over 2013.
The State of Nevada’s funding under the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), which consists of grant funds dedicated for use throughout the 17 counties in the state totals $3,733,000 for 2014, a 7 percent increase over 2013’s allocation.
“DHS’s grant announcement is another example of the commitment all Nevada public safety officials have placed on the importance of protecting the state, our citizens and visitors to the Silver State,” NDEM Chief Chris Smith said. “The annual grant process incorporates a considerable amount of coordination, with numerous levels of government and public safety entities from all parts of the state.
The Department of Homeland Security grant program enhances the ability of states, local, tribal and territorial jurisdictions, and other regional authorities in the preparation, prevention, and response to terrorist attacks and other disasters, by distributing grant funds. Localities can use grants for planning, equipment, training and exercise needs. Historically, these funds are used to support initiatives like Citizen Corps, Community Emergency Response Teams, information sharing, public safety radio interoperability, public information and warning, and first responder trainings.