Homeland Security provides Montana with $14,047,000 for Community Preparedness

Disaster and Emergency Services received notice of its approval for $
14,047,000 from the Department of Homeland Security. This funding comes
shortly after the announcement of a $5.3 million grant. Both are available
to local jurisdictions for the improvement of emergency response
capabilities.

The majority of the money will be passed directly to our community level
governments for the revision of plans, purchase of emergency response
equipment, the provision of training, the means to exercise their resources,
and the overall assessment of the local terrorism threat.

"The minimal amount of flexibility allowed with this grant assures it will
be utilized as intended, " said Governor Judy Martz. "This funding will
make great strides in improving and enhancing our emergency response
capabilities throughout the state. "

In recognizing the vital role of state and local public safety agencies in
providing for the security of our homeland, the President signed into law
the Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2003. This provides state
and local governments with additional funding to participate in the national
effort to combat terrorism.

"The state’s budgetary concerns continue to be a burden," said Martz.
"These federal dollars will provide our dedicated responders the resources
necessary to better protect the citizens of Montana."

$1.873 million will be utilized to reimburse government expenses resulting
from the advisory level changes and the subsequent war with Iraq. This will
include reimbursing the state general fund and state and local expenses that
were incurred.

All 56 counties and seven tribes are eligible for these grants through an
application process. The allocations are based primarily on jurisdictional
populations.