Press Releases

U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) announced today that Kentucky is slated to receive $5,211,420 in U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Emergency Management Performance Grants. These funds assist state and local emergency operations centers – the nerve centers for multi-agency response and preparedness to man-made and natural disasters. Emergency management agencies bring together law enforcement, fire, EMS and public health, to coordinate government resources and maximize preparedness, response and recovery measures.

“We have seen from the recent May flooding and last year’s devastating ice storm that our first responders need to have centralized, accurate information to work together seamlessly,” said Rogers. “These funds will increase Kentucky’s ability to manage the threats that face our state and coordinate assets like National Guard troops, deployable generators, law enforcement personnel, and hospital beds, toward keeping Kentuckians out of harms way. Ensuring open communication and situational awareness from the onset of a widespread emergency is imperative to protecting lives and minimizing the damages. I applaud DHS for their continued investment in the Bluegrass state and this grant will go a long way toward providing for the safety and security of the citizens of the Commonwealth.”

The Emergency Management Performance Grant program provides funding to state agencies, including the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, to boost capabilities at emergency operations centers across the country. DHS will release $329,799,991 for this program to improve nationwide preparedness and response in 2010.

Rogers is the Ranking Member on the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, which writes the federal budget for DHS and has direct oversight of the Department’s wide-ranging security efforts. As a senior member of this committee, Rogers works to secure funding for important initiatives in Kentucky.