Washington County to Receive Homeland Security Funds for Emergency Management

Press release

Washington County will receive $130,900 from the Department of Homeland Security to increase county emergency preparedness, after the County Board accepted the grant Feb. 5.

The county will enter into an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, to receive funding through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program.

The program focuses on enhancing regional preparedness and collaboration in major metropolitan areas based on an analysis of relative risk. In addition to Washington County, other jurisdictions that receive funding through the program are Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, and Ramsey counties, and Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The money will be used to increase Washington County’s capabilities in:

• Interoperable Communications, including Mobile Data Computers for law enforcement and fire/rescue, and equipment for a back-up antenna for amateur radio coverage.
• Strengthen Planning, to include public education campaign and promotional materials, Department of Homeland Security-approved training, conferences and seminars, and exercises.
• Emergency Operations Center/Common Operating Picture, which will provide for operation center equipment and web-based network communications, and the planning, developing, and conducting of emergency relevant exercises.

All projects were approved by a Washington County Urban Area Work Group, the Twin Cities UASI Administration Council, the State Senior Advisory Committee, and the Department of Homeland Security.