State Dealing With Homeland Security Grant Cuts

MADISON, Wis. -- Emergency preparedness in Wisconsin is in the spotlight with the state facing funding cuts.

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Since 2004, the year Wisconsin received the most money in Federal Homeland Security grants, the dollars have dropped.

This year’s funding amounts to a total of $16 million. Of tha t, a little more that $4 million is allotted for Milwaukee County for urban-area security, $900,000 is earmarked for specific programs and the remaining $10.6 million is to be doled out statewide. This is a 14 percent cut from last year, WISC-TV reported.

State leaders and those on the front lines are worried the progress made so far to ensure people’s safety after Sept. 11 will come to a standstill.

“These will be basic tools that we would use for any emergency," said Madison Fire Lt. Paul Komarck.

From rescue airbags to a high tech camera helping to find victims under a pile of rubble, Madison’s Heavy Urban Rescue Team and Task Force said it is preparing for a large-scale emergency.

"Being able to get all of this equipment and all the training to learn how to operate it has just been a phenomenal asset," said Madison Fire Division Chief Ernesto Martinez.

For years, a Federal Homeland Security grant has funded emergency equipment. But for the fourth year in a row, the federal government has cut Wisconsin’s funding. The state must now decide what projects to keep and what to cut, WISC-TV reported.

"That's going to affect Wisconsin in our ability to complete some projects that have been ongoing for a number of years and to start some new projects that are needs and are priorities throughout the state," said Ryan Sugden, Wisconsin's Office of Justice Assistance Spokesperson.

High on the list of priorities: a state-wide system allowing emergency responders from different agencies to talk to one another and coordinate disaster plans and response. An example: The Interstate-90 backup in early February.

"The ability for emergency responders to come on that scene and to communicate immediately is critical," said Sugden. But its estimated cost of $10 million nearly equals the total funding the state is receiving.

"We wanted to use these funds this year to help local communities connect to a proposed state-wide system," said Sugden. “With a 14 percent cut there are simply fewer funds to help local communities to connect to a state-wide system."

Other projects in jeopardy include a $5 million mass evacuation plan for the state and adding more emergency equipment and training in local communities.

"It (having the equipment) benefits not just Madison, but it benefits this whole area I think," said Martinez.

Gov. Jim Doyle is using both the February I-90 back-up and the flooding in June of those state emergencies as examples of why the communications project in particular must be completed; even if it means picking up the tab.

"The interstate backup showed that that's a very high priority and we have to do whatever we have to do in the state to make sure it doesn't happen again and so obviously we hoped that we had as much federal money as we can get but if not we're going to have to do it as a state," said Doyle.