WASHINGTON, DC In an effort to help Rhode Island's state and local first responders better prepare for an emergency, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is awarding the state of Rhode Island $1,876,560 in federal Emergency Management Performance Grants Program (EMPG) funding for state and local emergency management programs, an increase of nearly $160,000 from last year. These grants provide states the flexibility to allocate funds according to risk vulnerabilities and to address the most urgent state and local needs in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery capabilities for all hazards. "This funding will help the state of Rhode Island prepare and respond to any emergencies that may arise, as well as provide the state with the flexibility to address the most urgent needs," said Reed. "It is imperative that we provide our first responders with interoperable communications equipment and keep the public well-informed in the event of a major emergency. I will continue working hard in the Senate to ensure the federal government does its part to help protect Rhode Islanders and give our first responders the tools they need to keep our communities safe." Funding for the EMPG program was included in the FY 07 Homeland Security appropriations bill. Reed supported this bill which provides most of Rhode Island's homeland security funding. Senator Reed has worked closely with officials at DHS to successfully to include the city of Providence on the list of eligible urban areas for homeland security funding through the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program. This federal designation makes Providence one of 39 cities nationwide eligible to receive anti-terror grants from a pot of $336 million in UASI funding.