Delaware Secures $2.8 Million to Help First Responders Fight Domestic Terrorism

WASHINGTON, DC – Working with the State of Delaware to enhance homeland security efforts, the Delaware Congressional Delegation today announced an additional $2.8 million in federal funds is coming to Delaware to enhance the ability of first responders to react to incidents of domestic terrorism at the local level. The funding comes through the Fiscal Year 2002 Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Bill, supported by Senators Biden and Carper and Congressman Castle. “This money will help provide our first responders with the latest technology, the best protective gear and more effective communication equipment. It will go a long way to giving them the support they need to respond to emergencies and save lives,” said Senator Biden. “Our world is an increasingly dangerous place and our safety rests, at least in part, in the hands of our first responders,” Carper said. “These funds will save lives by helping first responders quickly identify threats and providing tools to battle them.” “The State of Delaware is ahead of the game in preparing for and responding to domestic terrorism and this funding will help us build on that expertise to keep all our citizens safe during a time of emergency,” Castle said. “In addition to having the necessary training, evacuation, detection and emergency systems in place, we will be able to purchase advanced first responder equipment to help our emergency personnel protect the public and critical infrastructure in the event of an attack.” Specifically, the State of Delaware will use the $2,887,000 federal grant to purchase first responder equipment, to plan, conduct and evaluate “dry run” exercises and to implement the state domestic preparedness program. Some examples of the types of equipment include: personal protective equipment, detection equipment, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, decontamination equipment, remote sensing devices (such as robots and thermal imaging cameras) and other equipment to enhance the capabilities in the areas of law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services and public health. The state will automatically receive $72,175 for strategy implementation and $128,000 for exercise related costs. However Delaware’s Emergency Management Agency will submit a plan for the equipment funds before they will receive their funds.