FY 2008 Emergency Operations Center 
(EOC) Grant Program 


Overview: 

In Fiscal Year 2008, DHS will 

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) 

award more than $14.5 million 

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) grant program is 

in EOC grants for construction 

an important component of the administration’s 

or renovation of a state, local 

larger, coordinated effort to improve emergency 

or tribal government’s principal 

management and preparedness capabilities by 

EOC. Each state, local, or tribal 

supporting flexible, sustainable, secure, and 

EOC was eligible to request 

interoperable EOCs focusing on identified deficiencies 
and needs. Funds are provided per Section 614 of the 

funds for one construction or 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency renovation project. 
Assistance Act (42 U.S. C. 5196c), as amended by 
section 202 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 
(P.L.110-53). Each state, local, or tribal EOC was eligible to request funding for one 
construction or renovation project. 

Purpose 

Fully capable emergency operations facilities at the state, local, and tribal levels are an 
essential element of a comprehensive national emergency management system and are 
necessary to ensure continuity of operations and continuity of government in major disasters 
caused by any hazard. 

Construction in the EOC program is defined as building a new facility or any changes to the 
footprint of an existing EOC facility; renovation refers to internal improvements to an existing 
facility. 

Funding 

Under Section 614 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 

U.S. C. 5196c), as amended by section 202 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 
Commission Act of 2007 (P.L.110-53), EOC grants will provide approximately $14,572,500 for 
one contruction or renovation project for each state, local or tribal EOC. In FY 2008, EOC 
Grant Program funds may only be expended for EOC construction and renovation costs; 
planning costs to support such activities; management and administrative costs; and limited 
EOC equipment costs. 
Eligibility 

The State Administrative Agency (SAA) of the 56 U.S. states and territories applied for funding 
for all eligible state, local, and tribal EOCs. Grants were awarded to the SAA for sub-grant to 
qualified state, local and tribal EOCs. Construction and renovation projects selected for 
funding will receive the full amount requested. However, grantees must provide 25 percent of 
the federal grant through a cash or in-kind match. 

FY 2008 EOC Fact Sheet 1 


Allowable Expenses 

The FY 2008 EOC Grant Program funds are to be expended only for EOC construction (no more 
than $1,000,000) or renovation (no more than $250,000) costs. In addition, planning costs to 
support the EOC construction or renovation activities are allowable. 


Equipment procurement was authorized under the following Authorized Equipment List-
allowable equipment categories: 


¾ 
Explosive Device Mitigation and Remediation (Category 2) 
¾ 
Information Technology (Category 4) 
¾ 
Cyber-Security Enhancement Equipment (Category 5) 
¾ 
Interoperable Communications Equipment (Category 6) 
¾ 
Power Equipment (Category 10) 
¾ 
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Reference Materials 


(Category 11) 
¾ 
Physical Security Enhancement Equipment (Category 14) 
¾ 
CBRNE Logistical Support Equipment (Category 19) 
¾ 
Other Authorized Equipment (Category 21) 

Application Process and Evaluation Criteria 

Applicants had to submit a complete application based on the criteria set forth in the FY 2008 
EOC grant program guidance and application kit addressing designated criteria. FEMA 
recognizes that each state and local jurisdiction has unique needs. Construction or renovation 
projects were selected on how well the applications addressed the following criteria: 

¦ State-identified priorities 
¦ Quality of the justification 
¦ Pre-existing planning 
Peer Review: The designated SAA, in conjunction with the state Emergency Management 
Agency (EMA), reviewed and prioritized all state, local, and tribal EOC project applications. 
The state review identified high, medium, and low priority projects based on the state, local, 
and tribal priorities and needs to ensure a coordinated, statewide efforts. 

National Review: The national review panel was comprised of FEMA headquarters and 
regional staff, as well as peer subject matter experts and federal partners such as the National 
Emergency Management Association (NEMA) and the International Association of Emergency 
Managers (IAEM). FEMA screened all state submissions to ensure compliance with 
administrative and eligibility requirements, as identified by the FY 2008 EOC guidance and 
application kit, prior to distribution for review. Those projects considered compliant with all 
federal requirements were then deemed eligible for national review and forwarded on to 
regional staff, as well as NEMA and IAEM partners. 

Cost share: Grantees were required to meet a 25 percent cost share cash or in-kind match 
requirement in accordance with federal guidelines and DHS Office of General Counsel rulings. 
Match requirements were waived for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin 
Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 

FY 2008 EOC Fact Sheet

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