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(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, along
with U.S. Reps. Marion Berry, Mike Ross, Vic Snyder, and John Boozman announced
Thursday that Arkansas will receive $2,261,419 million in grants to help
state and local governments be better prepared to respond to terrorism
threats, and support state and local emergency management. The funds were
awarded as part of the Department of Homeland Security's Emergency Management
Performance Grants Program (EMPG), which falls under the jurisdiction of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The grants provide states more flexibility in allocating funds according
to risk vulnerabilities, and help them address the most urgent local needs
in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Examples
of ways states may use the funds include:
o Improving disaster response and recovery capabilities;
o Maintaining and improving state and local emergency operation plans;
o Reducing vulnerability to hazards by improving State mitigation plans;
and
o Providing public assistance program training for state and local
staff.
The funds are part of FEMA's annual allocation of $180 million to continue
the Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) program. On March 1,
2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. |
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