Rockland County Bomb Squad to Get Homeland Security Grant

The Rockland County bomb squad will get $109,000 as part of a regional program to sustain and enhance its capabilities.

Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced $2 million in federal Homeland Security Grant funding to 12 local, FBI-accredited bomb squads across the state.

“The safety and security of all New Yorkers is our top priority, and this funding will help local law enforcement agencies be ready and equipped for what comes their way,” Cuomo said in a prepared statement. “These officers are on the front lines and with these grants, we can help ensure they have what they need when confronted with these incredibly dangerous situations.”

As a condition of this funding, squads are required to work together regionally (based on FBI regions) to review their capability strengths and gaps and to develop a regional spending plan for these funds. Squads in each region must reach consensus on their respective spending plans to ensure that funds are being used in the most efficient and effective way possible.

The squads in the Downstate New York region were granted $1.3 million:

• Nassau County $218,180
• New York City $463,360
• Rockland County $109,000
• Suffolk County $219,176
• Westchester County $290,284

This marks the 10th consecutive year that New York State has provided dedicated federal homeland security funding to local bomb squads, with more than $15 million given out.

“This grant funding is critically important to local law enforcement to fortify their preparedness and response capabilities and will provide the State’s certified Bomb Squads with the tools they need to help properly detect, identify and safely dispose of explosive devices,” Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner John Melville said.

PHOTO: Bomb squad gear/By Eric Polk, via Wikimedia Commons