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The grants are aimed at strengthening anti-terrorism programs, emergency preparedness and critical infrastructure protections.
More than $1.2 million in grants were awarded in the Hudson Valley region including communities in Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Rockland and Westchester counties.
"We know all too well the threat posed by terrorism and recent events have only further demonstrated the need for our first responders to have the resources to respond swiftly and effectively to emergency situations," Cuomo said in a press statement.
"As we continue to fight terrorism abroad and at home, local law enforcement should have every resource available to keep our communities safe," Gillibrand said.
Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the State Homeland Security Program.
About $2 million in statewide grants are being awarded through the "tactical team grant program," enhancing localities' response to active shooter events and other counter-terrorism missions. Local communities receiving "tactical team" grants are:
-- Town of Eastchester Police Department, including the villages of Tuckahoe and Pelham police departments, $100,000.
-- Town of Clarkstown Police Department in Rockland County, $100,000
-- Orange County Sheriff's Office, $100,000
-- White Plains Police Department, $100,000
These communities will receive grants to sustain and advance their capabilities in structural collapse/urban search and rescue, trench rescue, confined space rescue, Swiftwater rescue and rope rescue:
-- Arlington Fire District in the Town of Poughkeepsie, $134,525 for structural collapse
-- Orange County, $148,083 for structural collapse
-- Putnam County, $150,000 for rope rescue
-- Yorktown Heights Fire District, $68,618 for Swiftwater
The "critical infrastructure grant" enhances security at government-owned sites, at special events and at seasonal at-risk locations. Local grantees are:
-- Town of Clarkstown Police Department, $50,000
-- City of Yonkers Police Department, $9,526
-- City of Yonkers Public Works, $50,000
U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, a Democrat from Cold Spring, said, "Our local law enforcement officers and other first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect our families. These critical investments will help provide the tools and training they need to save lives, strengthen our communities, and come home safe at the end of each day."
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