MEDIA RELEASE

U.S. Sens. Daniel K. Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye have announced Hawaii will receive $3,299,538 in Homeland Security funding to enhance and sustain the state’s all-hazards emergency management capabilities.

“Federal grants like these provide the resources Hawaii needs to prepare for and respond to unpredictable threats,” said Akaka, a senior member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “This will help Hawaii State Civil Defense and other local agencies help us in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack.”

“As an isolated archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii must be prepared to respond to emergencies and disasters without having to wait for help from the mainland,” said Inouye, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. “It is impossible to predict when or if a tsunami, a hurricane or some other natural or manmade disaster might occur. These funds will help our first responders train and prepare for the worst.”

The funding is distributed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) program.

The EMPG program provides funding to states and localities to enhance and sustain all-hazard emergency management capabilities. EMPG funds are used to support state and local emergency management personnel, planning, training, and exercises.

Further information on the EMPG is available at http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/empg/index.shtm