"We are pleased the Department of Homeland Security has agreed to provide these critical funds to Maine. This funding is important to strengthen and coordinate state and local efforts to protect our communities, airports, seaports, and international border not only from terrorists but also from threats posed by nature such as blizzards and floods," said Senators Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. Congress provided $185,000,000 for the EMPG program in FY 2006. The program is designed to help state and local emergency managers develop, maintain and improve their emergency management capabilities, key components of a comprehensive national emergency management system for all hazards. This grant program provides states the flexibility to allocate funds according to risk and to address the most urgent state and local needs in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
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