The San Bernardino County Operational Area (OA) has been awarded a significant grant under the 2020 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) to enhance its emergency preparedness and response capabilities. The grant, totaling $2,323,837, will strengthen the region’s ability to safeguard against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.
One of the remarkable aspects of this grant is that no matching funds are required, minimizing the financial impact on the County. Any necessary budget adjustments will be submitted for Board of Supervisors/Board of Directors approval in a future quarterly budget report.
The funded projects include a range of equipment aimed at strengthening community resilience, fire management and suppression, operational communications, intelligence and information sharing, and critical transportation. The fire service projects, such as the Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) emergency response equipment and personal protective equipment, will provide firefighters with the necessary tools to efficiently respond to terrorist events and protect both victims and first responders. The acquisition of interoperable communications equipment and public warning and notification systems will enhance communication and information sharing among fire jurisdictions during emergencies, bolstering response coordination and public safety.
Similarly, law enforcement agencies will benefit from the acquisition of various equipment, including surveillance systems, rescue robots, and specialized vehicles. These investments will improve on-scene security, protection, and law enforcement capabilities, enabling swift and effective responses to terrorist incidents and mass casualty situations. Furthermore, the procurement of cybersecurity devices and software will safeguard critical information and infrastructure, mitigating the risk of cyber-attacks and ensuring public safety.
The Board of Supervisors’ approval of this grant award signifies a commitment to prioritize the safety, health, and social service needs of San Bernardino County residents. The County’s Office of Emergency Services, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, will work diligently to allocate and utilize these funds in alignment with the County’s recovery and resiliency objectives, building on lessons learned from previous major emergency responses such as the December 2, 2015 Terrorist Attack and the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.The Office of Emergency Services will continue to administer the grant funds strategically, aligning them with the County’s goals and objectives as defined by the Board of Supervisors. OES will actively seek feedback from the Board to enhance preparedness capabilities for future submissions, ensuring the County remains well-equipped to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.