U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
November 3, 2003

DHS Announces $2.2 Billion for Our Nation's First Responders
States Apply Through One Form in Streamlined Online Process

Today, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced the allocation of over $2.2 billion dollars in grant funding from the Office for Domestic Preparedness demonstrating the Administration's commitment to enhance the abilities of our first responders to prevent, respond and recover from potential acts of terrorism. For the first time, states can apply online for their allocated grants using one form that will serve as a "one-stop-shop" application for three different programs that benefit first responders and will provide additional resources to state and local government counterterrorism efforts.

"No longer will our state and local partners have to go to different places within the department to apply for terrorism-related funding. It ensures that nationwide, Homeland Security officials have one place where they can tap into the resources as well as the information they need," said Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge. "State and local communication and coordination, after all, reflect the very nature of homeland security, the federal government working with the home towns of America to keep our country safe and free."

Since March 1, DHS will have allocated or awarded over $6 billion dollars in grant funding for first responders from the FY '03 Budget, the FY '03 Supplemental and the FY '04 Budget to help first responders across the country enhance their capabilities and provide additional resources for state and local governments to protect their citizens and critical infrastructure.

The $2.2 billion dollars allocated to DHS from the FY '04 Budget will be distributed as part of three programs that provide significant resources to the state and local governments in different areas. These three programs are the State Homeland Security Program, the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program and Citizen Corps. Under the new system, the State Administrative Agencies apply with one application form online as part of the Homeland Security Grant Program, streamlining the process with which DHS distributes the funds through the state governments. In addition to the single application, DHS is launching an interagency grants and training website on the DHS website at www.dhs.gov/grants. The website provides information on homeland security and public safety grant opportunities offered by the Department of Homeland Security and other federal Departments and Agencies including HHS, DOJ and the EPA and a link to the Compendium of Federal Terrorism Training for State and Local Audiences, an interagency site for training opportunities available to state and local emergency personnel. ###