Ohio EMA - Grants Branch

Grants Branch

OFFICE LINKS
Grants Contact Info

EXERCISES
HS Exercise Methodology

Admin Plan
Admin Plan for DHS Grants

Jack Bossert, Branch Chief
(614) 889-7178
jbossert@dps.state.oh.us

Mission Statement

Administer the Homeland Security grant programs made available to states via the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS). These grants are designed to enhance the capacity of state and local jurisdictions to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents of terrorism involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE) weapons and cyber attacks.

Administer the U.S. Dept. of Transportation's (DOT) Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant program. The HMEP grant program is intended to provide financial and technical assistance as well as national direction to enhance state and local hazardous materials emergency planning and training. The HMEP grant program distributes fees collected from shippers and carriers of hazardous materials to Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) for local hazmat training and planning.

Current News

DHS updates the AEL
August 8, 2007
FEMA's National Preparedness Directorate has released an update to their Authorized Equipment List (AEL). The AEL is currently used to assist in determining allowability under 13 different grant programs, including the Homeland Security Grant Program. The update includes technical clarifications to categories for chemical and radiological detection equipment to better reflect available technologies and improve the alignment of radiation detection categories with the N42 suite of standards. Other minor changes are also included. The AEL is available via the Responder Knowledge Base website at www.rkb.mipt.org. A list of the current AEL changes are available via the Adobe file by selecting the "More" button here. MORE

FY07 SAFER Grant Application Period Opens
August 2, 2007
DHS/FEMA has opened the application period for the FY2007 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. The SAFER grant provides funding directly from DHS to fire departments in order to help them increase the number of trained, "front-line" firefighters available in their communities. SAFER's goal is to enable local fire departments to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by NFPA (1710 or 1720) and/or OSHA (1910.134). The application period will remain open until August 31st, 2007 at 5pm EDT. For application details and to apply online, please visit FEMA's Firefighters Assistance website at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/safer/. MORE

CERT Training Reminder
August 2, 2007
DHS wishes to clarify that Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) funds are allowable to support and deliver Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. Per federal grant guidance, Funding for CERT training includes the delivery of the CERT basic training to volunteers, supplemental training for CERT members who have completed the basic training, and the CERT Train-the-Trainer training [courses]. To be eligible to use HSGP funding, the CERT basic training must include the topics and be delivered according to the plan of instruction reflected in the CERT Instructor Guide (IG 317). State and local jurisdictions are not limited on the number of CERT basic training or Train-the-Trainer courses that may be delivered. However, the delivery and funding of courses must be in accordance with the respective grant recipient's approved budget. For questions regarding CERT training or related-programs, please contact Patrick Sheehan, Ohio EMA, at 614-799-3693 or via email at pcsheehan@dps.state.oh.us.

Emergency Responder "Standards" Meetings
July 31, 2007
DHS hereby authorizes the use of grant funds to reimburse costs associated with State and local participation in the development of emergency responder focused standards. State and local jurisdictions may use funding under the Planning category to support travel, meeting related expenses, and overtime costs associated with working on standards with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited organizations. Grantees must ensure that the focus of the standards development directly supports the grant funds being used. Emergency responders wishing to participate in standards development efforts affecting their field should contact the FEMA Standards Coordinator, Roberta Breden, at Roberta.Breden@dhs.gov, or by phone at (202) 786-9466.

CERT Training
June 29, 2007
DHS announced a newly certified Campus Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Course offered by Michigan State University. This course teaches the development and implementation of CERT techniques. The course is tailored toward emergency managers, emergency planners, and emergency responders. Further information on this course may be directed to the Ohio EMA Operations Branch at 614-889-7170 or FEMA's NPD Information Desk at 1-800-368-6498. MORE

Agriculture and Food Vulnerability Assessment Training Course
June 29, 2007
DHS announced the newly certified Agriculture and Food Vulnerability Assessment Training Course offered by the University of Tennessee. This course is aimed at improving intelligence and operational capabilities for prevention and deterrence of terrorist acts that target the agriculture and food sector. The course is tailored toward emergency managers, emergency planners, and emergency responders. Scheduling assistance or further information on this course may be directed to the Ohio EMA Training section at
614-889-7168 or FEMA's NPD Information Desk at
1-800-368-6498. MORE