FEMA has released Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Application Guidance for 14 federal grant programs, totaling more than $3 billion in federal funding to assist state and local governments in strengthening community preparedness. More than $27 billion has been provided since 2002 to strengthen the US’s ability to prevent, protect, respond and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters or other emergencies.

“Several years of investment have taken us largely from capability building to performance-based planning and investment,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “This year’s funding priorities are consistent with last year, and reflect a mature and disciplined grants program. We are now in the position of being able to inform high threat urban areas of their target allocations ahead of time, which will go a long way in helping their applications.”

DHS also is announcing for the first time FY 2009 targeted allocations under the State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative. This is the result of direct stakeholder feedback and will assist states and urban areas in writing investment justifications that reflect available grant resources. The department will continue to use the peer review process and applicants’ effectiveness scores in determining final allocations.

Further information is available at www.fema.gov/grants

DHS fact sheet

•Date: 6th Nov 2008• Region: US •Type: Article •Topic: Emergency planning
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