SAN DIEGO COUNTY–The County Office of Emergency Services has been awarded $7.7 million to coordinate local homeland security programs and prepare for other catastrophic events, such as wildfires and earthquakes.
“These funds help local agencies prepare for the possibility of a terrorist attack. We hope it never happens here. But if it does, we need the region to be ready to respond swiftly,” said Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Pam Slater-Price.
The County Office of Emergency Services administers the funds which go to local law enforcement, cities and other agencies and programs.
One of the programs is the San Diego Regional Terrorism Threat Assessment Center, a multi-agency task force that focuses intelligence and information sharing. It will receive $1 million.
Another $317,000 will go to the Metropolitan Medical Strike Team, which brings together health, law enforcement, hazardous materials crews and others to train to respond to an event involving weapons of mass destruction.
“The County Office of Emergency Services coordinates regional responses to all types of emergencies, including the possibility of terrorism. We need to make sure that we have a comprehensive plan and that all agencies are trained,” said Ron Lane, Director of the County Office of Emergency Services.
The funds are provided by the federal Department of Homeland Security to the California Emergency Management Agency, and then distributed at the local level.
For more information, visit www.ReadySanDiego.org.
