FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Laura Van Wert, 410-732-9564

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
OFFERS GRANTS TO NONPROFITS

BALTIMORE, MD (March 25, 2014) - Once again the Department of Homeland Security is making grants available to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations to make their high-risk facilities more secure against terrorist attacks. The program seeks to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local efforts. It also is designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives and state and local governments. The DHS grant program will provide a total of $13 million to high-risk nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S.

Applications must be submitted electronically to the Baltimore Urban Area Work Group (UAWG) through the appropriate local UAWG law enforcement representative as listed below. Deadline for submission is Friday, May 9th, 2014. Incomplete applications may not be considered. The UAWG will score applications before forwarding them to DHS.

Criteria for determining eligible applicants who are at high risk of terrorist attack include, but are not limited to:

Identification and substantiation (e.g. police reports or insurance claims) of prior threats or attacks against the nonprofit organization or closely related organizations (within or outside the U.S.) by a terrorist organization, network, or cell
Symbolic value of the site(s) as a highly recognized national or historical institution that renders the site a possible target of international terrorism
Role of the applicant nonprofit organization in responding to or recovering from international terrorist attacks
Findings from previously conducted risk assessments including threat or vulnerability

Grants are recommended to target no more than $75,000, with an optional match, as this had been the limit in past years.

In addition, all projects must comply with Environmental and Historic Preservation laws. All grantees will be required to develop an environmental planning and historic preservation Statement of Work (SOW), which must be submitted to FEMA for certification prior to the initiation of projects.

Eligible enhancements include such things as closed circuit television systems for perimeters of community facilities; vehicle barriers, lighting and fencing for perimeter security; and personal identification systems to limit unauthorized access to facilities.

The UAWG is composed of emergency management officials from the Baltimore Metropolitan Council's member jurisdictions, which include Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties, plus the City of Annapolis.

Additional information is available online at

http://www.fema.gov/fy-2014-urban-areas-security-initiative-uasi-nonprofit-security-grant-program-nsgp

Questions may be directed to the appropriate local law enforcement representative.

UAWG Law Enforcement Representatives

Anne Arundel County:
Capt. Fred Plitt

fplitt@aacounty.org

410-222-3028

Annapolis City:
Capt. Scott Williams

sdwilliams@annapolis.gov

410-268-9000

Baltimore City:
Director Stephanie Farina

stephanie.farina@baltimorepolice.org

410-396-2607

Baltimore County:
Cpl. Timothy McCreer

tmccreer@baltimorecountymd.gov

410-887-5639

Carroll County:
Sgt. James Fisher

jfisher@ccg.carr.org

410-386-2255

Harford County:
Capt. Duane Williams

williamsd@harfordsheriff.org

410-638-4914

Howard County:
Lt. Michael Price

mjprice@howardcountymd.gov

410-313-6013

Baltimore Regional Transportation Board | Baltimore Metropolitan Council

Working to improve the quality of life in the Baltimore region.

www.baltometro.org

The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) is the organization of the region's elected executives who are committed to identifying regional interests and developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs which will improve the quality of life and economic vitality throughout the region.

Laura Van Wert

Communications Officer
410-732-9564

lvanwert@baltometro.org