Blumenthal & Murphy Announce $14.3 Million for Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness Efforts in Connecticut

[HARTFORD, CT] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy today announced $14.3 million in federal grants for Connecticut municipalities, faith organizations, ports, and tribal nations to bolster security efforts and prepare for emergency situations and disasters.

The $14.3 million in federal funding comes from several grant programs administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and will be used to train law enforcement to respond to emergency situations and enhance security measures.

“Complacency and overconfidence — great enemies in today’s dangerous world — will be countered by this federal support for emergency preparedness and homeland security. Our state has seen its fair share of violent threats against institutions and infrastructure. Our communities will be safer— and feel safer— with the work enabled by this major federal investment,” Blumenthal said.

“Keeping Americans safe is the most important function of government, and these FEMA grants will provide Connecticut with the funding we need to make sure everything from our ports and railways to our churches and synagogues are prepared for any emergency. And as climate change causes increasingly frequent and destructive weather disasters, it’s more important than ever that our state has these resources and is ready to respond,” Murphy said.

Connecticut was awarded a $4.8 million State Homeland Security Program grant to prevent and respond to potential acts of terrorism. Another $4.96 million Emergency Management Performance Grant Program grant was awarded to Connecticut to implement comprehensive emergency preparedness systems for all types of hazards.

In addition to that funding, Connecticut non-profit faith organizations were awarded a total of $3.2 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program funds designated for groups that are at a high risk of a terrorist attack. The funding was awarded to 23 synagogues and churches for security enhancements and emergency preparedness efforts.

Nine Connecticut cities, departments, and organizations received a total of $1.2 million in Port Security Grant Program funds to implement security plans and conduct security activities at the state’s maritime ports.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation also received a $138,068 Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program award to help tribal nations strengthen security against potential terrorist attacks.

Connecticut Nonprofit Security Grant Program Awardees

Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church                     $127,570

Chabad Jewish Center Milford -Chabad of Milford-Hebrew Congregation of Woodmont ("CJCM")                                                                     $150,000

Chabad Lubavitch of the Shoreline                            $150,000

Chabad of New Canaan                                              $150,000

Congregation Ahavath Achim                                    $148,393

Congregation Beth El New Haven                             $150,000

Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue                         $150,000

Congregation Kol Haverim                                         $91,000

First Baptist Church of Stratford                                $104,170

Jewish Community Center in Sherman Inc                $150,000

Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford                       $133,700

Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven                  $150,000

Milford Christian Church and Academy                    $149,710

Passionist Fathers of CT                                             $125,000

St Thomas Syro-Malabar Church Inc                         $150,000

St. Theresa Church                                                     $150,000

Stamford Jewish Center                                              $150,000

Temple Beth Torah                                                     $56,690

Temple Bnai Chaim                                                    $40,937

Temple Shalom Norwalk                                            $150,000

Temple Sinai of Newington                                        $148,400

United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, Inc. $150,000

Yeshiva Gedolah of Waterbury                                  $150,000

Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program Awardee

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation   $138,068

Connecticut Port Security Grant Program Awardees:

City of Bridgeport                                                                                           $178,159

City of New London                                                                                       $104,069

City of Stamford                                                                                             $12,000

Cross Sound Ferry Services, Inc.                                                                   $25,000

CT Dept. of Emergency Services and Public Protection (CT DESPP)          $477,509

McAllister Towing & Transportation Co. Inc.                                               $211,500

Santa Energy Corp dba Inland Fuel Terminals, Inc.                                      $113,409

Town of Fairfield                                                                                            $25,809

Town of Greenwich Police Department                                                         $16,000

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