Office of Grants and Training Preparedness Directorate U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20531 Office of Grants and Training Information Bulletin No. 203 March 17, 2006 TO: All State Administrative Agency Heads All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact All State Homeland Security Directors FROM: Tracy A. Henke, Assistant Secretary, Office of Grants and Training (G&T) SUBJECT: Use of FY 2004 and 2005 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Funds in Support of the 2006 Hurricane Preparedness Exercises In accordance with Secretary Chertoff’s March 1, 2006 letter to the Governors of each of the nation’s coastal states from Maine to Texas, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Preparedness Directorate’s Office of Grants and Training (G&T) is sponsoring five Hurricane Preparedness Exercises in advance of the 2006 hurricane season. These exercises are designed to increase the preparedness of Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast States for the 2006 hurricane season that begins on June 1, 2006. Also, as indicated in the March 1 letter, G&T is updating the FY 2004 and 2005 HSGP grant guidance to provide the flexibility needed for full state and urban area involvement in these important and time-sensitive exercises. While FY 2006 HSGP funds can be used to support catastrophic natural disaster activities, FY 2006 funds are not currently available, and prior fiscal year HSGP grants cannot be used for natural disaster activities. Consequently, prior to this update, States and urban areas did not have HSGP funds that could be used for the Hurricane Preparedness Exercises This update allows states and urban areas (as defined under the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) for FY 2005 and FY 2006) to expend FY 2004 and 2005 HSGP funds on activities associated with participation in the 2006 Hurricane Preparedness Exercises. Specifically, FY 2004 and 2005 funds from UASI and the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) may be used in support of the 2006 Hurricane Preparedness Exercises. As a reminder, Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) funds may be used to support these activities as well. This grant guidance update applies only to the use of FY 2004 and 2005 HSGP funding for the 2006 Hurricane Preparedness Exercises. This guidance does not expand other allowable exercise activities outlined in the FY 2004 and 2005 HSGP guidance. Questions on this information bulletin may be directed to your G&T Preparedness Officer or the Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk at askcsid@dhs.gov, 1-800-368-6498.