Douglas County Emergency Management to Receive $176,354 to Protect the Port of Duluth-Superior

Press Release

Douglas County Emergency Management received $176,354 from Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) 2011 Port Security Grant Program, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl announced today. Douglas County Emergency Management receives and responds to threats and emergencies to the Port of Duluth-Superior. This crucial grant award will upgrade their technology and response systems. Last year, Kohl contacted FEMA to help secure this funding.

"Updated technology is essential to keep the Port of Duluth-Superior safe," Kohl said. "Douglas County Emergency Management has worked tirelessly for years protecting the port and ensuring the safety of the individuals and vessels that travel through daily. This funding offers them the upgrade they need to continue protecting and responding to emergencies."

Douglas County Emergency Director Keith Kesler states, "The receipt of this grant provides a significant amount of the funding required to upgrade our existing E911 system to the Next Generation E-911. This system upgrade is critical to provide a continued timely response to threats to the Port of Duluth-Superior and the citizens that live in our community. It will make it possible for us to receive 911 calls from devices we currently can not receive them from. The assistance from Senator Kohl's office and the Captain of the Port was instrumental in the receipt of this grant and is greatly appreciated."

Douglas County Emergency Management protects the Port of Duluth-Superior and works with authorities on the Minnesota side of the port to provide a response to threats and security concerns. Emergencies are currently called into an E-911 number, but the equipment that handles the calls is outdated and in need of replacement. This funding provides an upgrade to their technology allowing them to receive distress calls from many different kinds of technology and respond in an efficient and timely manner.

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