Isle of Wight and Surry counties will each receive $7,500 in emergency management performance grant funding, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management announced on Oct. 1.

The EMPG program is a federally-funded, state-distributed grant program that focuses on funding planning, operations, equipment acquisitions, training, exercises, construction and renovation efforts at the local government level to assist in preparing for all hazards.

“I am proud of this substantial investment in emergency preparedness across the Commonwealth,” said Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian J. Moran. “The COVID-19 pandemic and rising threat of climate change has shown us that our local communities need the resources to prepare for an emergency of any calamity and this grant funding will allow them to achieve that goal.”

“VDEM continues to support the local emergency managers by ensuring they have the resources to support their community,” said State Coordinator of Emergency Management Curtis Brown. “This grant program provides the opportunity for the commonwealth to build and sustain critical capabilities across key mission areas including prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery.”

Grant funding for the program is available to cities, counties and those towns recognized as emergency management jurisdictions under Title 44 of the Code of Virginia.