WASHINGTON, DC -- Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the House Homeland Security and Energy and Commerce Committees, today announced that the Department of Homeland Security will distribute more than $774,000 under the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) to Massachusetts.  The MMRS program, which had been slated for elimination in the Bush Administration’s most recent budget, is the only federal program that helps first responders, medical personnel, emergency management workers, businesses and other stakeholders develop effective, integrated capabilities to minimize casualties in the event of a terrorist attack using a weapon of mass destruction, a public health crisis such as a pandemic flu or a natural disaster such as a hurricane.

“Today’s announcement of more than $774,000 in federal funding for vital homeland security activities in Massachusetts is welcome news.  The Bush Administration has repeatedly tried to eliminate the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS), which is a unique and effective homeland security program designed to minimize casualties in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack using a weapon of mass destruction,” Rep. Markey said.

The Boston, Worcester and Springfield communities each will receive $258,145 in MMRS funding (equal shares of the $774,435) total for Massachusetts 

Last year Congress reversed the Administration’s unwise decision to eliminate the program and instead provided a total of $32 million in MMRS funding to be equally divided among each of the 124 MMRS jurisdictions around the country.  Since inception, the MMRS program has provided more than $5 million in funding for emergency personnel in the Boston, Springfield and Worcester areas. 

Rep. Markey has led the effort to save the program, inserting a provision to authorize funding for the program in legislation to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last year and organizing a letter to the Homeland Security Appropriations Committee co-signed by 55 Members of Congress to urge $60 million in funding for the MMRS program.  Although an amendment Rep. Markey offered on the House Floor in May 2006 to fund MMRS at $60 million was defeated, the House Appropriations Committee funded MMRS at $32 million.

“I will continue to fight not just to spare MMRS from the Bush Administration’s budget axe, but to expand funding for this effective and much-needed program,” Markey concluded.