Naperville, Aurora Receive $1.3M Grant For Anti-Terrorism Training

NAPERVILLE, IL -- Naperville and Aurora are receiving $1.3 million to collaborate on anti-terrorism training, according to a press release. The grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"Regional capability sharing between Aurora and Naperville would be essential in the response to a complex coordinated terror attack," said Aurora Emergency Management Coordinator Joseph Jones, according to a press release.

The money is for training, planning and exercises for emergency response teams to build teamwork and effective procedures.

"This preparation enhances the abilities of police, both patrol and Special Response Teams, and other first responders, to respond to multiple locations and effectively mitigate a complex coordinated terror attack," the press release said.

Naperville Emergency Management Coordinator Dan Nelson said "this grant provides us with a tremendous opportunity to enhance the safety of the entire region by developing a system to identify gaps, educate, train, analyze, and implement changes to prepare our area to first prevent and, if needed, respond to a terrorist attack."

The grant, which is exactly $1,373,809, is the largest received by any entity in the state, and is the twelfth largest largest of the 30 awards given out by FEMA nationwide.

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