Mayor Taylor and Rep. Cuellar announce $1 million federal investment to expand homeland security preparedness in San Antonio

Contact: Leslie Garza, Director of Communications

Office: (210) 207-8448, Cell: (210) 269-2297, leslie.garza@sanantonio.gov

SAN ANTONIO – (June 6, 2017) – Working with our federal delegation, Mayor Ivy R. Taylor and City Council have helped secure additional funding to help make San Antonio safer. Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that the City of San Antonio will receive a $1 million federal investment for fiscal year 2017 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expand and improve homeland security preparedness.

“Congressman Cuellar and I discussed this type of funding during my SA to DC trip. I am grateful that his hard work resulted in these badly needed funds,” said Mayor Taylor. “The recent event in London highlights the importance of preparedness, and I’m fortunate to have a strong partnership with Congressman Cuellar and the rest of the congressional delegation to make public safety a top priority for San Antonio.”

The funds to address safety preparations in San Antonio are part of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) which is funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security section of the Fiscal Year 2017 Omnibus Appropriations Act. Congressman Cuellar serves on the Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee where he has been an advocate for San Antonio.

“The Urban Areas Security Initiative has a proven track record for providing first responders the support, training and tools needed to respond to terrorist attacks and other disasters,” said Congressman Cuellar. “San Antonio is the largest city in my district, and a signature city of Texas and the United States. I believe in keeping our communities safe by providing the federal funding necessary to support the men and women who work tirelessly every day to protect our way of life.” 

This year is the first time since 2014 that San Antonio has received these UASI funds, and they will help address the unique planning, organization, training and equipment of urban areas that are at high risk for acts of terrorism. In Texas, only San Antonio, Houston and Dallas received UASI funds.

For more information on the UASI program, visit https://www.fema.gov/fiscal-year-2017-homeland-security-grant-program