DHS announces IPA grants

WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- Grants to aid cities in the event of terrorist attacks or natural disasters were announced Friday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The DHS announced more than $844 million would be made available to strengthen port security along with aid to help protect transit, trucking and intercity bus systems. The grant money is part of the infrastructure protection activities grant program.

Officials say the announced funds, provided for prevention and protection against terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies, were increased by 29 percent over awards from 2007, the DHS reported.

"With this year's funding, the department will have provided roughly $3 billion in grants for securing the nation's critical infrastructure and transportation systems," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in a statement.

"As capabilities mature, we're encouraging state and local governments and the private sector to prioritize improvised explosive device prevention and protection, communications capabilities, information sharing, and regionally based security cooperation."

The funds, awarded on an assessed vulnerability of cities, will support the DHS port security, transit security, freight rail security, intercity passenger rail and bus, the buffer zone protection and trucking grant programs.