News & Updates
Six Florida ports awarded federal funds for security projects
On June 30, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), announced the final FY 2020 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) awards.
The Port Security Grant Program plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System by supporting the building, sustainment and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation.
The Canaveral Port Authority was awarded $908,015 in federal funding through the PSGP. The grant will be augmented by a 25 percent Port match for a $1.2 million project to improve Port Canaveral’s port-wide risk prevention, threat mitigation and security response service capabilities.
FEMA, through its PSGP, has awarded $822,811 to Port Everglades for CCTV camera replacements and new computer servers for storage.
The Jacksonville Port Authority has been awarded $1,175,625 in federal funding and plans to use the funding to enhance JAXPORT’s physical and cybersecurity initiatives through equipment upgrades and advanced data sharing.
Port Manatee received $813,090 in PSGP funds, enabling the advancement of multiple security-related enhancements, including updates to the Port’s video security and surveillance system; replacement of about 2 1/2 miles of outdated fencing to bolster security along the port’s north perimeter; procurement to upgrade radio communications equipment, and more. The $813,090 federal award for fiscal 2020 will be augmented by a 25 percent port match of $271,030.
South Florida, including PortMiami, was awarded over $1.7 million dollars in preparedness grants from the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA. Of the grants, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said, “Miami-Dade County emergency preparedness goals include planning for natural disasters like hurricanes, as well as terrorist attacks that target large population centers. This funding is critical to our ability to protect our valuable assets like PortMiami, where this grant will support overall capabilities to prevent, detect, mitigate and recover from any emergencies on site.”
Port Tampa Bay received full approval for requested funding through the 2020 Federal PSGP. The award of $493,350, along with a required match of $164,450, resulted in total funding of $657,800. The funds will be used for a number of projects including additional docking for port security vessels at the Port Tampa Bay Public Safety Complex, additional guard facilities, and a port-wide physical security and cybersecurity assessment. The Port is grateful to the Federal Port Security Grant Program for the funds.
See the Grant Programs Directorate Information Bulletin No. 451, June 30, 2020.