On August 31, 2018, Governor Northam announced that VDEM received 110 grant requests totaling nearly $8 million to compete for the competitive portion of these federal funds. Forty-eight projects were awarded a total of $2.2 million from competitive State Homeland Security Program funds and $1.5 million was awarded to the Hampton Roads Urban Area Security Initiative (HR UASI) to address the unique needs of this high-threat, high-density urban area.
The Virginia Modeling and Simulation Center at Old Dominion University manages the peer-review process conducted by Virginia’s public safety stakeholders for competitive grants, and scores proposals based upon benefit-cost ratios. Awards have funded a diverse group of programs including community outreach and preparedness programs, interoperability efforts, sheltering programs, equipment enhancement and exercises.
“Virginia has elected to use an inclusive and detailed grant review process, incorporating stakeholder expertise to understand the security needs across the Commonwealth to allow us to use our limited grant funds to support the most critical needs facing our first responders,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran. The HRMMRS submitted regional grant requests through the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
State Homeland Security Grant projects approved:
• MCI and Mass Care Capability Sustainment: $70,000
• Point of Care Ultrasound – replacement: $73,500
Urban Areas Security Initiative Grant projects approved:
• MCI Transportation Package – MCETU replacement: $168,000
• MCI Transportation Package – Enclosed ATV Ambulances: $63,412
• Personal Protective Equipment – Replacement: $81,838
