By Ed Somers
August 9, 2004

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) is revising program guidance for operational overtime costs associated with providing security during Code Yellow alerts in Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) jurisdictions. Previously, this funding was available only for Orange alert costs. Effective August 2, 2004, jurisdictions may use available unspent grant funds to support operational costs in UASI jurisdictions associated with the following activities:

• Operational overtime security costs incurred by UASI jurisdictions to protect critical infrastructure at Code Yellow;
• Operational overtime security costs incurred at National Special Security Events (NSSEs), as designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security;
• Operational overtime security costs incurred at currently scheduled Presidential debates and the Vice Presidential debate.

This guidance applies to funds available through the FY 2003 UASI Grant Program Part II and the FY 2004 UASI Grant Program. Up to 25 percent of the gross award amounts from these two grant programs can be used for operational expenses associated with increased security measures at critical infrastructure sites.

In addition, states with UASI jurisdictions can use Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) funds received through the FY 2003 State Homeland Security Grant Program Part II (SHSGP II) to reimburse local UASI jurisdictions for operational expenses. States incurring eligible operational expenses for activities conducted in UASI jurisdictions are also eligible to use CIP funds and UASI funds retained at the state level to reimburse eligible state incurred expenses (up to a maximum of 20 percent of the grant total for both the FY 2003 UASI Part II and FY 2004 UASI Programs and up to 50 percent of the grant total of the CIP funds).

Costs eligible for reimbursement under this policy are identical to those deemed allowable under previous Code Orange alerts. Allowable categories for reimbursement therefore include:

1) Backfill and overtime expenses for staffing state or local EOCs;

2) Hiring of contracted security for critical infrastructure sites;

3) Public safety overtime to protect critical infrastructure sites;

4) National Guard deployments to protect critical infrastructure sites.

For further information, UASI cities should contact their Preparedness Officer or the ODP Helpline at 1-800-368-6498.