ALBANY - Director Thomas G. Donlon of the New York State Office of Homeland Security (OHS) announced federal grant funding of $637,141 in support of specific homeland security and disaster response capabilities in Western New York. A total of $57,575 will be dispersed among all Chautauqua County fire departments in a targeted grant for Technical Res-cue/Urban Search and Res-cue Grant Program. In the targeted grant for Bomb Squad Preparedness and Re-sponse, Chautauqua County will receive $146,778.

Funding for these grants is provided under the federal State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) by the Department of Homeland Security. These programs, created as part of the state's Homeland Security Strategy, help to fill gaps in unique response areas.

"The Technical Rescue grant will give Chautauqua County Emergency Services the ability to continue to develop technical rescue response resources," Director of Emergency Services for Chautauqua County Julius Leone Jr. said. "Chautauqua County formed a 'Technical Rescue Team' over six years ago with membership coming from our county's 42 fire departments. The grant will be used to purchase specialized equipment that will be utilized throughout Chautauqua County."

The Technical Rescue Grant/USAR Program, launched by OHS in conjunction with the Office for Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC), seeks to target and develop regional technical rescue capabilities across New York State. Many local jurisdictions have participated in OFPC's Urban Search and Rescue training programs and there is a desire to enhance their capabilities through this targeted program.

From 2006-2008, OHS has allocated more than $4 million in direct funding for local FBI-accredited bomb disposal units in New York State through the Bomb Squad Initiative.

In late 2008 and early 2009, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Bombing Prevention (OBP) conducted independent capability assessments and National Incident Management System (NIMS) typing analyses of all local bomb squads in New York State. The findings from these assessments will drive local bomb squads' funding requests under the 2008 Bomb Squad Initiative.

In addition to the targeted grant program and the capability assessments, OHS also sponsors an annual Bomb Squad Symposium. This event, conducted most recently in February, brings together local, state, federal, and international bomb technicians together to share lessons learned and best practices; receive training; and reinforce relationships.

Funding from the Bomb Squad Initiative will allow squads to develop response plans, acquire advanced equipment, receive training, and conduct exercises.

Local jurisdictions are utilizing regional solutions to build their homeland security capabilities. Through regionalization, jurisdictions can share costs, enhance their operational coordination, and provider higher levels of service to the public. OHS has recognized the benefits of regionalization and has developed targeted grant programs, which focus on regional solutions, as an incentive to encourage jurisdictions to employ these approaches.