The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Monday said it is expanding its urban area nuclear security program to two new cities, Houston and Chicago, bringing to five the number of regions in the United States where the department and local authorities are stepping up efforts to improve the nation’s capabilities to detect and protect against radiological and nuclear threats.
DHS said that the initial award to Houston provides $3.5 million to begin the region’s planning and analysis this year under the Securing the Cities program, which first launched in the New York City region in 2006 and more recently expanded to Los Angeles/Long Beach in 2012 and the Washington, D.C., area in 2014.
As part of Security the Cities, each region will receive up to $30 million over five years. Once funding is complete, the department’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) will continue to provide support in the areas of training, exercises, and technical help to ensure each region maintains its detection capability.
DHS said it will begin work in Chicago in subsequent years as funding becomes available.
Additional regions will be added to the program in the coming years.
“The Securing the Cities program is a key part of the department’s efforts to protect the nation against the malicious use of nuclear and other radioactive materials,” Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement. “Expanding this program to Houston and Chicago will bring these important capabilities to two more of our country’s largest metropolitan areas.”
Securing the Cities is managed by DNDO. The agency will help law enforcement and first response organizations, including providing various radiological detection equipment, training services, and exercises.