WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn announced Wednesday that Texas will receive a total of $182.4 million in grant funding for homeland security and emergency preparedness needs from the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Commerce.

The state will receive $65 million to bolster first responder communication through the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Program, and a combined $58.9 million through the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP). In addition, several Texas metropolitan areas will directly receive a total of $58.5 million through the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).

"This funding is critical to ensuring our first responders, or hometown security, have what they need to keep our communities safe," Sen. Cornyn said. "We must continue working together on a local, state and federal level to best equip and support those on the front lines of our security."

Sen. Cornyn added, "Enhancing interoperable communications has consistently been one of the top priorities identified by first responders in the wake of September 11. Communication between first responder agencies and emergency management teams is essential to effective and rapid disaster response and preparedness for threats facing our state."