The state received $41.3M for the entire FY06 Homeland Security Grant
Program (HSGP).  This is to support the five federal grant programs
under HSGP.  These programs were set by US DHS and their funding amounts
are as follows.  

- Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), $17.5M (Cincinnati received
$4.6M)
- Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP), $9.2M
- Citizens Corp (CCP), $584K
- Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS), $1.4M, and
- State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), 12.6M. 

Overall funding has nearly a 50% reduction from FY05.  In terms of the
state grant program (SHSP) Ohio received 61% less than we did in FY05.  


Federal guidance requires 80% of the funds go to local jurisdictions,
equating to $10.1M.  Federal guidance allows the state to either pass
that funding directly to its jurisdictions or spend it on behalf of the
jurisdictions.  

Previously, the state has allocated the bulk of funds (SHSP) to all
counties via a formula and also set aside some funds for regional
projects.  Due to the cut in funding this year, it was determined to
only set aside funds for two specific projects and thus permit the bulk
of funding to go to the counties (the state did hold back 20%).  The two
projects are:  $354K for exercise activities which is a specific
Investment Initiative in Ohio's grant application and $330 for two new
regional Initiatives that required seed money to initiate programs which
are HazMat and Incident Command Teams.  That is a total of $784K and has
been roundly criticized by a number of county EMA directors.

That leaves $9.4 M to allocate directly to the counties.  To allocate
SHSP funds, the state has in the past used a formula to determine how
much each county would receive.  In FY04, the formula was based on an
equal share for each and the rest distributed based solely on
population.  In FY05, the feds used critical infrastructure as a measure
of risk (and not just population).  As such, our FY05 formula included
that factor as well.  This is the same formula that was used to
determine the FY06 allocations.  The formula is based on three factors: 

 - 5% equal base share to all counties, 
 - 20% based on the number of sites within that meet the national
standards for critical infrastructure, and 
 - 75% based on the county's population.  

Butler County will receive a total of $243,860.00 (compared to last
years $751,359.00).  That $243,860.00 will be divided into four
categories: Equipment $160,000.00; Training $35,000.00; Planning
$35,000.00; and Exercises $5,860.00.  These funds must be spent in
relation to address the needs that were noted in the "Needs
Assessment" completed by our county in February 2006. Our priority was
Interoperable Communications, thus the equipment funds seeming must be
spent on communications. 

More specifically: 

1)  Purchase and installation of mobile 800 MHz Radio's in the fire
and EMS vehicles of Ross Township Fire and Seven Mile Fire. This will
mean that EMA has provided mobiles for all such vehicles for Westside
fire, EMS and some law enforcement agencies. Total cost on this project
not to exceed $160,000.00.
2) Training on Structural Collapse Operations is to be made available
to all fire fighters who are members of the Tech Rescue Team. Total cost
on this project not to exceed $20,000.00. 
3) Training on NIMS and other WMD (OGT Approved) Courses $15,000.00.
4) Planning, to complete the county EOP, assist with local plans and
write, review and make needed changes in local mutual aid agreements
$35,000.00.

In the FY06 formula, when compared to FY05 allocations, each county
receives on average 61% less funding.  This is directly in line with the
reduction of federal funding made available to Ohio for FY06 SHSP.

The Citizens Corps Grants are competitive, we will apply and the grant
amounts are to fall between $3,000.00 and $25,000.00.  I'm sure
we'll receive a grant but have no idea of the amount.

The Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program is Administered by the
Ohio Police Chiefs Association and the Buckeye Sheriff's Association.
State nor local EMA have no role in this grant. If law enforcement  has 
questions about this grant they should contact their respective
association. 




William R. Turner
Director
Butler County Emergency Management Agency
315 High Street, Suite 670
Hamilton, OH  45011
513-785-5810
513-785-5811 Fax
www.butlercountyohio.org/ema