Thursday, June 24, 2004

Levinson Holds Briefing to Discuss Participation in Homeland Security Grant Program

County Executive Dennis Levinson and representatives of law enforcement, public safety and county government held a special briefing for municipal leaders on Tuesday, June 22 to discuss Atlantic County's recent award of nearly $2 million from the state Homeland Security Grant program to enhance the county's ability to detect, deter, disrupt, prevent and respond to threats and incidents of terrorism.

The award of $1,987,238 to the county's Office of Emergency Preparedness is part of more than $55.75 million in federal funds allocated for New Jersey from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office for Domestic Preparedness. The funds are provided to help local public safety and law enforcement personnel pay for planning, training, equipment, exercises and other costs associated with enhancing their capabilities to prevent, respond and recover from terrorist attacks.

"These funds will help us to improve and expand the programs we have in place to ensure the safety and protection of our residents and visitors," said Levinson. "One way to do that is to support our emergency personnel with training and equipment."

The state will utilize $560,418 of the grant to implement several statewide homeland security initiatives within the county. They include enhancements to the State Intelligence Management System and a virtual E-learning network for first responders. In addition, funds have been reserved by the state for the Atlantic City bomb squad.

In accord with the grant, the county executive has named an Atlantic County Multi-Discipline Working Group to establish priorities and develop a spending plan based upon local needs and concerns. The group's members include: Vince Jones, coordinator of the county's Office of Emergency Preparedness; Howard Kyle, the county executive's Chief of Staff; Jane Lugo, the county's Chief Financial Officer; Lt. Bill Sooy, the county prosecutor's representative; Chief David Wolfson, the Police Chiefs Association's representative; Edward Vincent, county fire coordinator; William Jenkins, county EMS coordinator; Tracye McArdle, county health officer; and Kathy Knisell, a member of the county hazmat team.

Before the county working group proceeds, Levinson wanted to inform local governments of the program's guidelines and procedures as well as to ask for input in developing a spending plan.

"Cooperation among all levels of government is key to our efforts to ensure homeland security," he stated. "We cannot successfully fill in the gaps between our needs and our existing capabilities without it. This is the first step in that process."

For more information, please contact Howard J. Kyle, Chief of Staff, at (609) 343-2223.

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