Governor Donald L. Carcieri will meet with officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday afternoon to argue for additional homeland security funding for Rhode Island, and to update the department on Rhode Island's efforts to prepare for a major hurricane. The Governor's meeting comes in the wake of DHS's decision to cut Rhode Island's allocation of federal homeland security grants in half this year after the grant distribution formula was altered.
"Last month, I was very disappointed to learn that Rhode Island's share of homeland security funding was cut in half," Governor Carcieri said in announcing his meeting with DHS officials. "While I'm pleased that federal officials don't believe the Ocean State is a target, Rhode Island deserves to receive the federal funding necessary to protect our citizens from terrorist threats and natural disasters. It is important to remember that Rhode Island is part of a huge economic corridor stretching from New York to Boston, and that corridor must be protected from potential threats."
"Over the last few years, we have made a lot of progress in upgrading our capacity to deter and to respond to threats," the Governor said. "With General Bray and Bob Warren as our top emergency management officials, Rhode Island is poised to take the next step. But in order to continue the improvements we've already begun, the federal government must do their part by providing us with the homeland security funding we need."
"As the federal government has altered the formula that determines states' homeland security funding, I have actively worked to make my concerns known," Carcieri said. "When I testified before the United States Senate Homeland Security Committee in April, I warned that these changes could significantly impact the amount of money Rhode Island would receive, and would thereby undermine our emergency preparedness efforts. I'm disappointed that my prediction has come true."
"In my meeting with federal homeland security officials, I plan to express my disappointment with the recent funding cut, and to determine how Rhode Island can receive the homeland security assistance our state deserves," Carcieri concluded.
Hurricane Preparedness Plan
Governor Carcieri will also use the opportunity to discuss with federal officials Rhode Island's achievements in updating plans for dealing with a major hurricane. At the end of May, before the official beginning of hurricane season, Rhode Island released the state's new Hurricane Preparedness Plan. This comprehensive new plan ensures that Rhode Island is more prepared than at any time in state history for the upcoming hurricane season.
RIEMA is currently working to communicate the plan to local communities and to exercise the plan to ensure its success in the event of an actual hurricane. Since no emergency plan is ever final, Rhode Island's emergency management officials will continue to update the Hurricane Preparedness Plans to account for new information, as well as input from local communities and from the federal government.
Governor Carcieri will update the Department of Homeland Security on the new plan and discuss ways the state and federal government can increase their cooperation in dealing with a major hurricane.
