Info on port security grants

July 16, 2009

We've been seeing lots of effort this year with port areas putting video surveillance systems and even CBRNE types of detectors on bridges around port waterways, especially when these bridges are in close proximity to the port environment. From what I can understand, the reasoning this comes under the port's jurisdiction, even though the bridges may be built and maintained by a state's department of transportation, is that a bridge collapse would impede port traffic.

Port dollars aren't just for massive ports like L.A.; they're being used to protect bridges over waterways vessels use to access ports.

In fact, in speaking with Proxim Wireless last week about their new 4G wireless backhaul transceivers (see product news release), we learned that they had been part of a big project to deploy these in the San Francisco Bay Area. We've seen this occur also in much smaller areas, like Chattanooga, Tenn. (the Tennessee River courses its way beside downtown through a shipping area and some heavy manufacturing).

Our friends at ComTec Systems, an integrator out of New Jersey that does a lot of homeland security and government work, provided us a link this week to where port directors can go to get information on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 2009 Port Security Grant Program. There was a total of $388.6 million available this year for port security grants, and if you've not applied for you share, head to the DHS Port Security Grant Program webpage and start getting ready. The page has a lot of very good information, including budget and justification templates, historical guidance from previous years, and more. This is where the funding for many of these bridge security projects is coming from, so read up and make an application.

-Geoff