Nevada eligible for anti-terrorism funds

Monday, March 10, 2003 | 9:27 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada is eligible for a $6.7 million federal grant to help state and local public safety and law enforcement officials prevent and respond to terrorism.

Jerry Bussell, special adviser on homeland security to Gov. Kenny Guinn, is in Washington this week to get more information about whether the state will have to put up matching funds, exactly how the federal grant can be used and how it will be distributed.

"I feel confident that these funds can be used for risk and needs assessments, equipment, training, exercise support and technical assistance," Bussell said.

Nevada would receive $4.7 million for equipment including emergency vehicles, medical supplies and limited types of drugs and equipment for the personal protection of an individual, for search and rescue, for detection of explosive devices and for decontamination.

The equipment money cannot be used to buy computers, general-use vehicles, weapons systems or ammunition.

The state could spend $1.1 million of the grant to plan, design, develop and conduct exercises that train emergency responders. And there must be an evaluation on how these people respond during the exercise to a terrorist attack.

An additional $356,000 can be spent on training and another $475,000 for planning.

Bussell said he is "reasonably certain" the state will not have to put up matching funds.

But the state will have to file a grant application by April 22 to get the money.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced Friday that $566.2 million is available to be divvied up among states and territories for homeland security. He said the states will be notified within seven days if their applications are approved.