Dallas outlines $151 million in homeland security grants, notes federal uncertainty
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Summary
City officials briefed the committee on the Homeland Security Grant Program, saying Dallas has received roughly $151 million since 2003 to fund emergency management, fusion‑center technology, cameras and other capabilities, while warning federal funding levels remain volatile.
Ben Kellogg, manager of the Homeland Security Grants Program for Emergency Management and Crisis Response, briefed the Public Safety Committee on April 14 about federal grant funding the city has used for preparedness and response.
Kellogg and other presenters said the city has received about $151,000,000 in UASI and State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) awards since 2003 to support capabilities that include fusion‑center technology, DPD helicopter camera upgrades, mobile surveillance trailers for the City Action Strike Team (CAST), a mobile emergency operations capability and equipment and training for USAR, HAZMAT and EMS teams.
Kellogg noted that the grant programs were created after Sept. 11 and that, while the programs require a nexus to terrorism, the federal grantor now allows dual‑use investments that also support everyday emergency response. He emphasized the importance of remaining in good standing with federal audit requirements; Kellogg said the city has had “no audit findings to date.”
Presentation slides shown to the committee highlighted past investments: rifle‑resistant glass and screening equipment at DPD headquarters following the 2015 attack, iterative upgrades to the fusion center, procurement of night‑vision and camera equipment for helicopter operations, purchase of 10 mobile surveillance camera trailers used by CAST, a mobile EOC capability in Command 1, and support for CERT instructors and exercises.
A council delegation that traveled to Washington, D.C., told the committee that members of Congress identified homeland security grant funding as a priority during meetings, underscoring the federal program’s role in city readiness for both major events and routine emergencies.
Committee members asked about federal funding volatility and were told that municipalities should plan for potential changes at the federal level while sustaining core capabilities funded by UASI and SHSP.