$54 million given to state

The possibility of a terror attack on U.S. soil has led to a roughly $24 million increase from last year in government dollars to fund Indiana's Homeland Security Department, according to the United States Conference of Mayors' Web site. \nAlden Taylor, spokesman for the State Emergency Management, said each Indiana county will receive funds based on an evaluation of risk factors. \nCounty emergency agencies, law enforcement groups and hospitals will receive a sub-grant for training, exercises and planning guidelines through the Counter Terrorism and Security Council said Taylor. \nMarion County ranks highest in the county-risk evaluation because of its population and high concentration of power plants, chemical plants and natural gas pipelines. Taylor said Indiana is a key state for fuel pipelines because it receives a large supply of natural gas from Canadian pipelines. \n"There are 11 counties within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant," he said. "There are two in Illinois and two in Michigan."\nWhen the terror level is raised to orange, private companies, can apply for federal compensation for the equipment and overtime labor hours, Tayor said. All emergency management agents must be FBI certified in order to use the anti-terror equipment the government has agreed to subsidize. That equipment includes personal protection for first responders, such as protective suits, masks and radiological detectors. \nThe federal funds will be used to implement measures to prevent an emergency and to apply federal standards on training, planning and procedure. Checking equipment against business standards can be covered by federal funds, as well according to a statement for the Governor's office.\nThe $54 million is divided into four allocations. The funds will be divided between risk-assessment, counter-terrorism intelligence, preparedness training and equipment and volunteer organizations. Approximately $43.2 million must be distributed at the local level, and the remaining $10.8 million will be given to state responsibilities, such as airport security. \n"The funds will be distributed at the local level," Taylor said, "because the communities know what they need to protect themselves."\nAccording to the U.S. Homeland Security's Web site, the funding for terrorism prevention will include travel and transportation securities, immigration securities, intelligence and surveillance technology and a development of the Strategy to Secure Cyberspace by "developing an awards programs for those in industry making significant contributions to security." \nDiane Mack, assistant director of Indiana State Homeland Security, said the future of Homeland Security in the state will encompass private and public sectors. The goal is to divide Indiana into 10 districts with representatives forming councils in the individual districts. Mental health officials will be added to the public sector as well as agriculture and energy businesses. \n"The plan is to move to districts instead of counties and to pull from several pots of government dollars," Mack said. "We work to ensure the community will get the help it needs in times of disaster."\n-- Contact staff writer Allison Ricket at aricket@indiana.edu.