Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel has announced a $321,000 Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) grant for Yonkers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“Yonkers, the fourth-largest city in New York State, and its hard-working first responders, need this type of support to protect citizens in the event of a catastrophe. Yonkers first responders were among the many that came to Ground Zero to help on 9/11 and as we have learned since then, no city or region is immune to attack or threat. Providing support through an MMRS grant enables Yonkers to further enhance their ability to respond to such a catastrophe or terrorist attack and in the process, save more lives,” said Rep. Engel.

Mayor Phil Amicone said, “I am proud of the role that Yonkers first responders played at the World Trade Center and this grant will help Yonkers maintain the high standards of our emergency service personnel and improve our equipment. I’d like to thank Congressman Engel for delivering once again for Yonkers.”

In addition to the MMRS grant, New York City also received the following grants:
• Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) - $145,137,750. This is an increase in funding over the FY 2008 level.
• UASI Non-profit Security Grant - $4,199,757
• Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant (RCPGP) - $3,617,000

New York State also received grants to be distributed statewide for the following:
• State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) - $112,412,500
• Citizen Corps Program (CCP) - $660,697

“Through these grants, the people of New York can be better protected in the case of emergency. Hopefully, there will be no need to use the precautions these grants will help finance, but we must always be prepared for such an event. I will continue to look for opportunities to bring more funding back to New York to make sure we can adequately prepare for any emergency,” said Rep. Engel.

Yonkers grant is part of the $1,606,105 allocated to New York State with the split among New York City, Albany, Rochester, Syracuse and Buffalo.