States need to manage first responder funding.

• Author: Fein, Geoff S.
• Position: Security Beat

The U.S. government must do a better job providing access to funding, equipment and training to first responders, said Connecticut Governor John Rowland.

Speaking before the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, Rowland endorsed legislation that would allocate grants to states on the basis of a threat to a region's population and critical infrastructure,

He advocated allocating funds through governors' offices and not directly sending money to municipalities.

"Comprehensive interoperable national and state plans simply cannot be created if funding goes directly to municipalities or other separate organizations without the involvement of the state," Rowland said. "State coordination is essential and must be maintained."

The grant process should be simplified, he added. There is too much overhead and bureaucracy at the federal level.

"The 16 different grant programs spread across three major federal agencies and several sub-offices are simply too cumbersome and too confusing," Rowland said.

The grants should be dispersed based upon threat analysis and unique regional vulnerabilities. Funds could be sent to areas that are deemed most unprotected by the intelligence agencies, he said.

Financial incentives for creative partnerships also should be offered, Rowland added.

But matching grants should not be required, he said. "Available grants are of no use if we cannot afford the match. Unfortunately, that is a reality in today's economic environment," Rowland said. "This is all the more reason why regional...