In a newly restructured federal Homeland Security program, the City of Santa Clarita will remain eligible for federal anti-terrorism grants, but will now be considered as part of the larger region, called the Los Angeles/Long Beach region. This region will include cities in the San Fernando Valley, the Los Angeles Basin, and northern Los Angeles County. The grant money allocation will now revolve around the capabilities and strategies developed at the federal and state levels. As a contract city, the City will still benefit greatly from the government funding. The 2006 funding will go to support the operational area agencies such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff and Fire Departments, the Office of Emergency Management, as well as the California Highway Patrol and other municipal agencies. The Sheriff’s and Fire Departments are both contracted to provide services within the City of Santa Clarita.  “It is important as a region to build upon existing capabilities,” said Donna Nuzzi, Emergency Services Supervisor for the City. “We are fortunate that the federal grants will continue to directly benefit our City as funding is assigned to different areas.” To date, the City of Santa Clarita has received $44,000 in Homeland Security money from the federal government and has been approved for an additional $95,500 for years four and five of the program.

For more information on the City’s emergency services or about the federal grants, please contact Nuzzi at (661) 286-4093.