WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced West Virginia will receive $7.9 million to improve emergency preparedness in the state.

“First responders and emergency personnel risk their lives every day to keep West Virginia communities safe,” Senator Capito said. “As chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I will ensure that these men and women have the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. We can never prevent all emergencies, but I will fight to make sure West Virginians are always prepared.”

“Our state has seen and survived tragedy, emergency and disaster and we always come together and work together to repair, rebuild and overcome our challenges. But we can only do that if we have the resources to prepare and respond to these emergencies. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, I’m glad our state is receiving this funding to help our first responders, emergency personnel and local officials to continue to keep our communities safe,” Senator Manchin said.

West Virginia will receive $3.98 million under the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), $3.78 million under the Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) Program, and $150,000 under the Nonprofit Security Grant State Program (NSGP-S).

  • The $3.98 million through SHSP provides support the implementation of state homeland security strategies to address identified planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events. 

  • The $3.78 million through the EMPG will assist state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in preparing for all hazards and help provide a system of emergency preparedness for the protection of life and property in the United States from hazards and to vest responsibility for emergency preparedness jointly in the Federal Government and in the states and their political subdivisions.

  • The $150,000 through NSGP-S will assist nonprofit organizations in obtaining the resources required to support and integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack with broader state and local preparedness efforts. It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as among state and local government agencies.

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