FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Matt Bevin and the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security (KOHS) announced today more than $5 million in federal grants will be allocated across the Commonwealth: $2.9 million to purchase equipment to protect communities from threats of terrorism and $2.3 million to fund enhancements of Kentucky’s 911 system statewide.
“We are pleased today to announce more than $5 million in KOHS investments to protect the people, property and resources of Kentucky,” said Gov. Bevin. “This vital funding will enhance the safety of our communities and equip our first responders to better detect and deter potential threats and ultimately save lives.”
KOHS will fund 39 projects totaling $2,942,235 under the 2019 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) using U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant funds to city and county governments, fire protection districts and area development districts to purchase first responder, communications and cyber security equipment, and critical infrastructure protection to counter threats of terrorism in the Commonwealth.
“Once again, demand for homeland security grant funding far exceeded available dollars,” said Kentucky Homeland Security Advisor John Holiday. “Balancing critical need with underserved areas and emphasizing regional impact allows KOHS to maximize impact for the first responders of the Commonwealth and the people they serve throughout Kentucky.”
Kentucky also earned more than $2.3 million in federal grant funds to help modernize Kentucky’s emergency communication response system. Kentucky is one of 34 states to qualify for a portion of a $109 million federal grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The federal grant program will help the nation’s 911 call centers upgrade to Next Generation 911 (NG911) technologies.
“This grant will help Kentucky establish a solid foundation for a modern, statewide 911 system that will reduce response times and increase caller location information, leading to more lives saved by our first responders,” said Holiday, who also chairs the Kentucky 911 Services Board.
For a complete listing of the 2019 Homeland Security Grant Program awardees, visit: http://homelandsecurity.ky.gov/Pages/Grants.aspx.
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