Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $21 Million in Homeland Security Grants

Braintree — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded more than $21 million in federal funds to state agencies and regional homeland security advisory councils to enhance the Commonwealth’s preparedness and resiliency.

A total of $21,173,232.60 was awarded through the Homeland Security Grant Program, with funds made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  This grant program is administered in Massachusetts by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), a state agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS).

The grants support regional and statewide efforts to build upon and sustain capabilities to prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other security threats or disasters. The Homeland Security funding invests in critical initiatives that align with state and federal priority areas, including soft target hardening, increased intelligence sharing, domestic extremism prevention, cybersecurity advancements, election security improvements, and Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (ASHER) training.  The funds are distributed among the regional councils based on a federal formula.

“Today’s security investments reflect our deep commitment to ensuring that communities are prepared and resilient when faced with today’s evolving threat environment. This federal funding will bolster the capabilities of our state agencies and regional councils to readily respond to and keep communities safe from any threat,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The training, equipment, emergency preparation and response planning efforts funded through these grants will benefit every Massachusetts community.”

“Through this grant program, our administration identified and funded vital initiatives that will strengthen community readiness and resiliency. These grants provide resources to equip our first responders with the tools and training necessary to safeguard our state’s critical infrastructure and protect our communities from harm,” said Lt. Governor Kimberley Driscoll. “I commend our state agencies and the regional councils for their tireless dedication to the Commonwealth’s safety and security.”

“Partnerships between state, local, and federal public safety agencies are fundamental to our ability to ensure that Massachusetts is safe and secure. Together, and with the support of this essential funding, we will achieve our shared goal of protecting communities by adapting to meet today’s threats and advancing strategies that strengthen our emergency preparedness,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy.

“These grants allow us to build our capacity to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from large-scale incidents,” said OGR Executive Director Kevin Stanton. “I’m proud of the work that my team at the Office of Grants and Research is doing to create safer communities by delivering resources where they’re needed most. This work is challenging and performed without fanfare, but it is key to a statewide initiative aimed at keeping Massachusetts communities safe.”

The following agencies and regional councils received grant funding:

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