In December, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the fiscal 2010 grant application guidance kits for 13 DHS grant programs totaling more than $2.7 billion. The money provides state, local and tribal governments and private-sector entities funding to strengthen the nation’s ability to prevent, protect, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies.

The guidance has increased tribal funding, reduced administrative paperwork for state and local governments, and enabled local jurisdictions to use preparedness funding for ongoing maintenance contracts, warranties, repair or replacement costs, upgrades and user fees for equipment purchased with previous DHS grants, according to the DHS.

Total expenditures for the programs summed to $2.7 billion, down approximately 1 percent from fiscal 2009. Comparing 2009 and 2010 expenditures reveals where the DHS priorities lie and how they have changed since the last budget cycle.

 Key findings include:

• The program with the largest percentage increase (more than $20 million) is the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Grant Program with a 69 percent increase in funding. This program provides funding for construction or renovation of a state, local or tribal government’s principal EOC. It’s intended to improve emergency management and preparedness capabilities by supporting flexible, sustainable, secure and interoperable EOCs.

• The program with the largest real-dollar increase is the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) with an increase of $33.9 million. The UASI program focuses on enhancing regional preparedness in major metropolitan areas and assists participating jurisdictions in developing integrated regional systems for prevention, protection, response and recovery.

• The Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) saw the largest decrease in funding (from programs that receive more than $20 million, both in percentage and real-dollar terms). This program saw budget reductions of $100.6 million or 26 percent. The PSGP provides grant funding to port areas for the protection of critical port infrastructure from terrorism.

• The Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program, while relatively small, saw a potential 500 percent jump in funding from $1.7 million to “up to” $10 million. This program provides supplemental fund directly to eligible tribes to help strengthen the nation against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks.

• Other modest gains in funding include the Emergency Management Performance Grants Program (up $23.8 million or 8 percent) and the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (up $2.6 million or 8 percent).
   

[Photo courtesy of Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA.]