WASHINGTON, March 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it would award $34.6 million in equipment and training to emergency first responders across the country.
The grant was awarded as part of the fiscal year 2006 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program, or CEDAP. Through the program, the Department of Homeland Security provided more than 2,000 direct assistance grants to law enforcements and fire departments, according to a press release from the department on Tuesday.
"CEDAP is yet another mechanism for the department to work with our local homeland security partners in strengthening this nation's ability to prevent, protect, respond and recover from a natural disaster or terrorist attack," said George Foresman, Under Secretary for Preparedness.
"This program enhances state and local communities' capabilities as well as arms their first responders with the tools to build stronger regional coordination," Foresman said.
CEDAP provides law enforcement and emergency responders with protective gear, surveillance tools, chemical and biological detection tools, information technology and risk management tools, and interoperable communications equipment.
Since its inception in 2005, CEDAP has provided $69.7 million in equipment and training, according to the department.
