Federal homeland security and anti-terrorism grants will be provided to Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, East Granby, Granby, Hartland, Harwinton, New Hartford, Norfolk, Simsbury and Torrington within the next few weeks, and state Senator Thomas J. Herlihy, R-8 th District and state Representative Richard F. Ferrari, R-62 nd District announced today.

The grants, which will be used to strengthen state, local and regional efforts to prevent, respond to and recover from terrorism-related chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive incidents, as well as cyber attacks and natural disasters, come from a $24,080,428 federal homeland security grant the state received recently, Representative Ferrari and Senator Herlihy said.

About $16.9 million of the funding is earmarked for distribution to Connecticut's cities and towns for planning and operations, including communications, medical reserves and regional response teams for hazardous materials and bombs. The remaining funds will support state programs and be administered by the state's new Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), the legislators said.

"When we talk about homeland security our attention is usually focused around the big cities, however smaller towns play just as big a role in making sure our communities are safe," said Senator Herlihy.  "Smaller towns usually have less means to pay for important homeland security initiatives.  These grants serve an important purpose.  All cities and towns must work together to ensure the safety of our homeland and that includes small towns such as these." 

"These grants will help local officials implement measures that will enhance public safety and save lives if a terrorist attack should take place in or near any town in the 62 nd District," Representative Ferrari said. "Fire, police, emergency medical services and emergency management units in our towns will be upgraded and improved, which will enable our first responders to more effectively deal with potential terrorist incidents or natural disasters. These grants will help ensure that we are prepared to act quickly and decisively if a terrorist bomb or other weapon is detonated and results in a large number of people being killed or seriously injured."      

Homeland Security and Terrorism Prevention grants awarded to 62 nd and 8 th District towns include:

• Avon: $58,884 l Hartland: $14,084
• Harwinton: $21,841 l Barkhamsted: $17,093
• Canton: $35,760 l New Hartford: $23,475
• Norfolk: $13,370 l Colebrook: $12,986
• East Granby: $21,865 l Simsbury: $76,143
• Torrington: $122,765 l Simsbury: $76,143
• Torrington: $122,765 l Granby: $38,261