By Adena Schutzman, USCM Intern
July 30, 2007

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Commerce on July 18 announced two grants that will help state and local governments prevent and respond to natural or man-made disasters. Additional resources for first responders and interoperable communications are major priorities in the Conference of Mayors’ 10-Point Plan: Strong Cities, Strong Families for a Strong America.

The first program is the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC), jointly managed by the Commerce and Homeland Security Departments. The PSIC grant provides $968 million to improve public safety communications and coordination among first responders. The grant program will equip public safety agencies with the technology, deployment and training of interoperable communications systems, improving first responders’ ability to communicate via voice, data and/or video signals.

PSIC grants are directed to states, which in turn must dedicate at least 80 percent of funds to “a state, local or tribal government entity or nongovernmental organization authorized by such entity, whose sole or principle purpose is to protect safety of life, health or property.” Twenty percent of the grants will be distributed directly; each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will receive a minimum of $3 million, while each territory will receive $500,000. The remaining 80 percent will be allocated to states and territories based on the Homeland Security Grant Program risk formula that takes into account threat level, vulnerability and consequence.

Grant guidance application kits are currently available and are due August 17. Recipients will be informed of their award by September 30.

Prior to the release of this new grant, top staff from both the Commerce and Homeland Security Departments engaged directly with Conference of Mayors staff and city representatives in Washington to try to help ensure that the program meets city and first responder needs.

Additional information on this program can be found at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/psic or http://www.dhs.gov/xgovt/grants/index.shtm.

The second grant announced by the Department of Homeland Security is the Homeland Security Program Grant (HSPG) that allocates almost $1.7 billion towards state, local and community preparedness. The grant consists of five programs directed towards various levels and methods of response:

• Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) $746.9 million

• State Homeland Security Initiative (SHSP) $509.25 million

• Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP) $363.75 million

• Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) $32 million

• Citizen Corps Group (CCP) $4.55 million

Receiving the heaviest funding, UASI identifies the country’s 45 major urban areas that demonstrate the highest risk of attack. The top six, tier I cities, deemed at greatest risk received $410,795,000, or 55 percent of the grant, while the additional 39, tier II cities, were allocated the remaining 45 percent, $336,105,000.

Applicants of HSPG submitted a working plan by the April 5, 2007 deadline, with an assessment of the threat posed to their municipalities, a demonstration of the anticipated effectiveness of their proposals and an investment justification. Each proposal underwent peer review with an upward or downward adjustment of 30 percent based on the effectiveness score earned. Recipients are given a 36-month performance period to reveal proper and timely execution of their disaster emergency planning.

Detailed information on all of these allocations and programs can be found at http://www.dhs.gov/xgovt/grants/index.shtm.