U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, both Democrats, announced on Wednesday $5,369,840 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  (HHS) to support the New Jersey Department of Health’s Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP), which prepares hospitals throughout the state for large-scale disasters, like Superstorm Sandy, and public health emergencies such as a disease outbreak.

“When a disaster like Sandy hits our state or an outbreak, like the measles, spreads, our hospitals become ground zero for New Jerseyans in need of help. That’s why we need to ensure New Jersey’s hospitals are prepared and equipped to ensure our residents are safe and well taken care of when disaster strikes,” said Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee which sets national health policy, in a statement.

“Hospitals in New Jersey and across the country rely on programs like HPP so they can plan for and handle a variety of emergencies. We must continue investing in this vital program so our hospitals are ready when New Jersey families need them most,” Menendez said.

Booker said natural disasters and other public health emergencies can put an immense amount of additional stress on hospitals as they serve New Jerseyans in a time of need.

“We must do our best to prepare for the most serious emergency situations. This federal investment will bolster our state’s resources and help medical professionals keep New Jersey families safe in the face of an emergency,” said Booker.

The HPP provides funding and technical assistance to every state and territory to ensure their health systems can respond to and recover from a disaster. This means statewide, hospitals can collaborate to ensure the residents of that state can get the medical care they need in the event of an emergency.