The Port of Oakland will receive $3,543,750 in Federal Port Security Grant funding to implement three new projects. The Fiscal Year 2012 grant allocations were recently released and, in a very competitive environment, the Port of Oakland was successful in all of its proposals.
President of the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners Pamela Calloway said, “As the fifth busiest containerport in the nation, we are pleased to receive this funding, which will further enhance security at our Port. The Port of Oakland is a vital link for moving goods to the nation’s consumers and in transporting U.S.-made products overseas for export. Improving our seaport security protects our workers, visitors and neighbors as well as the economic vitality of our region, state and nation.”
The grant requires a 25% cost share from the Port and must be completed within a two-year performance period.
“We thank the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security for recognizing the importance of the Port of Oakland and our requirement for continued grant funding,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Omar R. Benjamin . “We very much appreciate getting our security projects approved in this competitive climate for federal funding. This funding is essential for supporting critical security initiatives that serve Port workers, our neighboring communities, and our global business partners.” The total federal funding for port security in the SF Bay Region was $9.34 million in this 12th round of seaport security funding.
“The Port will significantly enhance its capability to prepare, prevent, respond and recover from incidents in the maritime area with these approved projects” said Port Facilities Security Officer Mike O’Brien . “These security projects build on a strong base that we have developed over the last several years during 12 rounds of grant funding and will greatly help with interoperability between agencies and improving domain awareness in our maritime area.”
The projects include:
1) Expansion of the Port’s Geospatial Security Mapping System/Geographic Information System, a tool that has been developed to streamline incident management for first responders and public safety agencies;
2) Enhancement of maritime domain awareness via augmentation of the Port’s CCTV system and expansion of Emergency Operation Center technological capabilities; and
3) Addition to the fiber optic network to expand communications service and provide system redundancy.
The total allocation for all U. S. ports for FY2012 was $97.8M, down from a total allocation in FY2009 of $388.6M.
About the Port of Oakland The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. Together, through Port operations and those of its tenants and users, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland.
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Source: portofoakland, July 9, 2012; Image: chamoismoon