FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            PRESS CONTACT:

August 4, 2015                                                                                         Brenda Rangel 956.564.1527

                                                                                                                                        

Vela Announces $172K Grant for 

Port of Brownsville

 

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, announced that FEMA awarded the Port of Brownsville a $172,500 grant through the Port Security Grant Program.

 

“The high amount of maritime traffic at the Port of Brownsville requires effective security and the ability to respond to a crisis at any given time,” said U.S. Rep. Vela. “These funds will increase the capacity of our port to operate safely and effectively, and will  provide Port of Brownsville Police the needed resources and equipment to do their job."

 

The FY 2015 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) directly supports maritime transportation infrastructure security activities.

 

PSGP is one tool in the comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by the Administration to strengthen the Nation’s critical infrastructure against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks.

 

The vast majority of U.S. maritime critical infrastructure is owned and operated by state, local, and private sector maritime industry partners. Funds are intended to improve port-wide maritime security risk management; enhance maritime domain awareness; support maritime security training and exercises; and to maintain or reestablish maritime security mitigation protocols that support port recovery and resiliency capabilities. 

 

PSGP investments must address Coast Guard identified vulnerabilities in port security and support the prevention, detection, response, and/or recovery from attacks involving improvised explosive devices (IED) and other non-conventional weapons.

 

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