Grant Programs Directorate 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 
Washington, DC 20472 


Grant Programs Directorate Information Bulletin 
No. 285, April 08, 2008 


TO: 
All State Administrative Agency Heads 
All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact 
All Core City/Core County Points of Contact 
All State Homeland Security Directors 
All State Emergency Management Agency Directors 

FROM: 
W. Ross Ashley, III 
Assistant Administrator 
Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) 
Federal Emergency Management Agency 

SUBJECT: 
Inclusion of emergency medical services and other responder disciplines 
as part of the FY 2008 Homeland Security Grant Program processes 

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 (Public Law No: 110-161) (hereafter “the Act”) 
requires FEMA to include in its grant guidance language which requires State and local 
governments to include emergency medical services (EMS) providers in their Statewide and 
Urban Area homeland security plans. In accordance with this requirement, and as States, 
Territories, localities, and tribes continue to work towards completion of their application 
materials for the FY 2008 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), FEMA would like to 
remind our homeland security partners of the importance for proactive inclusion of various State, 
regional, and local response disciplines who have important roles and responsibilities in 
prevention, deterrence, protection, and response activities. Inclusion should take place with 
respect to planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise efforts. Response disciplines 
include but are not limited to: governmental and nongovernmental emergency medical, 
firefighting, and law enforcement services; public health; hospitals; emergency management; 
hazardous materials; public safety communications; public works; and governmental leadership 
and administration personnel. 

FEMA’s Grants Reporting Tool will continue to be utilized for grantees to input and for FEMA 
to track, on a biannual basis, homeland security funding provided to response disciplines. In 
accordance with the Act, if no state or local funding is provided to EMS, the state should justify 
the lack of funding through demonstrating that related target capabilities have been met or 
identify other pressing priorities. 

Homeland security partners should examine how they integrate preparedness activities across 
disciplines, agencies, and levels of government, including State, Territory, local, and tribal units 
of government. A cohesive planning framework should be incorporated that builds and 


implements homeland security initiatives which leverage DHS resources, as well as other 
Federal, State, Territory, local, and tribal resources. Specific attention should be paid to how all 
available preparedness funding sources can be effectively utilized in a collaborative manner to 
support the enhancement of capabilities. 

The FY 2008 HSGP re-emphasizes the importance of creating or utilizing existing governing 
bodies to act on this guidance and coordinate grant resources. Examples include: State Senior 
Advisory Committees, Urban Area Working Groups, Area Maritime Security Committees, 
Citizen Corps Councils, and Metropolitan Medical Response System Steering Committees. As a 
reminder, the membership of the Senior Advisory Committee must, at a minimum, include the 
following State officials directly responsible for the administration of GPD grants and Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Resources and Services Administration 
(HRSA) cooperative agreements: the State Administrative Agency (SAA), HRSA Bioterrorism 
Hospital Preparedness Program Coordinator, and CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness 
Program Director. In addition, program representatives from the following entities should be 
members of the committee: State Homeland Security Advisor (if this role is not also the SAA); 
State Emergency Management Agency Director; State Public Health Officer; State Public Safety 
Officer (and SAA for Justice Assistance Grants, if different); State Court Official; State EMS 
Director; State Trauma System Manager; State Citizen Corps POC; Urban Area POC; United 
States Coast Guard Area Command or Captain of the Port; Senior Members of the Regional 
Transit Security Working Group; Senior Security Officials from Major Transportation Systems; 
and the Adjutant General. 

Additional questions regarding the intent, scope, and allowability of HSGP funds and 
expenditures may be directed to your GPD Program Analyst or the Centralized Scheduling and 
Information Desk at askcsid@dhs.gov or 1-800-368-6498.