For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
Baltimore - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today visited Glen Burnie, Md., and Baltimore to participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for Anne Arundel County's new Marley Fire Station, funded in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and meet with members of Baltimore's Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, which is supported by DHS' Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant program.
Today's visits were part of Secretary Napolitano's ongoing tour of American cities to highlight the Department's support of frontline first responders who work every day to ensure safety and security for communities across the nation.
"The Department of Homeland Security is committed to getting resources out of Washington, D.C., and into the hands of the men and women serving on the front lines in American communities," said Secretary Napolitano. "The construction of the new Marley Fire Station will fulfill DHS' Recovery Act goals of strengthening security while boosting our economy."
During both visits today, Secretary Napolitano stressed that homeland security begins with hometown security—emphasizing that the men and women who serve on the front lines are the first to respond to catastrophes, and may be the first to notice signs of a planned terrorist attack. She thanked first responders in Glen Burnie and Baltimore for serving as the backbone of public safety in their communities and throughout the country.
Secretary Napolitano was joined at the ceremony by U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, U.S. Congressman Dutch Ruppersburger, Anne Arundel County Fire Chief John Robert Ray, County Executive John R. Leopold and the firefighters who will benefit from the new fire station.
The new Marley Fire Station was funded by a $1.86 million DHS ARRA Fire Station Construction Grant with a $1.69 million match provided by the grantee. The current Marley Fire Station, which was originally built in 1943, will be replaced with a newly constructed facility on adjacent land owned by Anne Arundel County. The new station will accommodate a 32-member staff, feature three drive-through bays that will expedite response times; and provide new sleeping-quarters that meet health and safety standards.
In Baltimore, Secretary Napolitano joined Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to meet with members of the city's Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, a group of highly-trained first responders who provide specialized, coordinated and comprehensive response and recovery capabilities for search and rescue operations within the region. Since 2004, DHS has allocated nearly $10 million under UASI to train, exercise and equip these first responders in the Baltimore area.
ARRA was signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17, 2009. To date, DHS has awarded approximately $2.6 billion in ARRA funding to create jobs and enhance the nation's security. DHS received $210 million in ARRA funding for the Fire Station Construction Grant Program to replace or modify 120 fire stations to enhance response capabilities, protect communities from fire-related hazards and meet National Fire Protection Association standards. To learn more about DHS Recovery Act projects, including Fire Station Construction Grants, visit www.dhs.gov/recovery.
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