Westchester County Bomb Squad to Get Homeland Security Grant

The Westchester County Hazardous Devices Unit will get $290,284 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.

Westchester’s Hazardous Devices Unit is one of only 13 bomb squads in New York State, county police spokesman Kieran O’Leary said.

In 2014, HDU deployed on 70 incidents in the County which included suspicious packages, bomb threats, recovery of explosives or military ordinance, and actual improvised explosive devices. Unit members are trained in advanced post-blast investigation and can assist local jurisdictions in evidence gathering and crime scene processing. Using explosive detection canines (bomb-sniffing dogs), the unit also conducts security sweeps at Westchester County Airport, around critical infrastructure and at high-profile events or large-scale gatherings to ensure the safety of those attending. It also responds with the dogs to conduct sweeps at schools or other locations that have received a bomb threat.

The bomb squad provides training to local police departments, fire departments and many businesses located in Westchester. The bomb squad also assists the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in providing regional counter-terrorism training to first responders.

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey said, “Thorough training for emergency response teams is essential to prepare for catastrophic events, particularly in New York. I’m pleased Westchester and Rockland will receive nearly $400,000 in federal funding to enhance the capabilities of their bomb squad teams, which save lives. I will continue working as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee to ensure our first responders have the resources they need to keep our communities safe and secure.”

PHOTOS/Westchester County