Posted on October 16, 2024
The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) has received $1 million in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Port Security Grant Program to invest in physical and technological upgrades.
The upgrades are aimed at enhancing the Harbor Police Department’s (HPD) surveillance network and providing critical equipment to help in their response to emergency incidents.
Work must be completed by 31 August 2027.
In 2024, FEMA’s Port Security Grant Program awarded $90 million to agencies to help protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, major disasters, or other emergencies.
In 2023, Port NOLA was awarded $947,280 to upgrade its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which serves as the command hub during hurricanes and other major incidents. The previous year, in 2022, it received $514,964 to enhance technology at the Harbor Police Department’s Maritime Security Operations Center (MSOC).
Altogether, Port NOLA has secured $2,502,827 in FEMA funding over the past three years to strengthen its security and emergency response capabilities.
“We are grateful to FEMA for their ongoing support, which will continue to bolster our proactive security initiatives,” said Ronald Wendel, Jr., Acting President and CEO of Port NOLA and Acting CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB).
“The safety of our community and the protection of critical infrastructure remain top priorities, and this is a significant step forward in safeguarding our port operations and the people who depend on them.”
Earlier this June, the Louisiana Legislature’s 2024 regular session allocated $230.5 million to the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) for infrastructure projects.
