The Erie County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (“DHSES”) announced that it has received Emergency Management Performance Grant (“EMPG”) funding of $343,328 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”). EMPG grant funding is provided to support the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s focus on building and sustaining integrated capabilities consistent with national priorities across all levels of government and the community. Participation in this grant requires a focused effort on best practices, mandated trainings and exercises.

“DHSES has been an essential part of Erie County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, just as they have been on the front lines of many emergency situations,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “For the department to be awarded this annual, performance-based grant again underscores the good work they are doing and their importance to our community’s response to all emergencies.”  

“We are proud to once again have received this Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) funding,” said Erie County Commissioner of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Daniel Neaverth, Jr. “This grant supports trainings and exercises for real-world all hazard responses such as Covid-19 and is critical in building capacity in areas such as Logistics/ Distribution Management Planning, Disaster Financial Management, Catastrophic Disaster Housing, and Resilient Communications.”

DHS/FEMA preparedness grant programs are intended to support core capabilities across the five mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery, providing necessary preparation for incidents that pose the greatest risk to regional, state and national security. The EMPG grant program places a tight focus on consistent nationwide capabilities that include training, planning and communication.

For more information:

On the EC Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, visit

https://www2.erie.gov/emergencyservices/ 

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