Homeland Security grants released

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday that more than $35 million in grants has been awarded to Kentucky. The funds are part of the $8 billion that the agency has handed out since March 1, 2003, to help various local and state governments be prepared for potential acts of terrorism and disasters.

In a prepared statement, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said, "... We have implemented a national strategy of shared responsibility, shared accountability and shared leadership."

Ridge said funding local first responders is part if his agency's mission of increasing the country's preparedness for attack or disaster. In fiscal years 2002-2004, DHS spent $13.1 billion.

The Kentucky funds will be spent on training and equipment for first responders such as police and fire agencies statewide. No numbers were available Wednesday to show how the grant will be dispersed.

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