DHS releases guide for security grants

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced it has released application assistance for national homeland security strategy grant programs.

The DHS released application guidance for 14 federal grant programs that support President George Bush's national homeland security strategy. Officials say the terrorist attack preparedness programs are also aligned with the DHS's national preparedness guidelines and the recently released national response framework, the Department of Homeland Security reported.

"This year, we're asking applicants to prioritize preparedness planning and counter IED (improvised explosives device) threats," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in a statement. "We are focusing 25 percent of key program dollars on these priorities, and we're giving communities even greater clarity on how we seek to minimize our collective risk."

Officials say the grant programs provide $376.3 million more in 2008 than in 2007 as the DHS worked to enhance the prevention, protection, response and recovery from terrorist attacks among other emergencies. The homeland security grant program is comprised of four programs including the state homeland security program, urban areas security initiative, metropolitan medical response system program and the citizen corps program.

"(The guidance) is an important element of our strategy to work with state and local partners to strengthen their capabilities and reduce vulnerabilities in our communities across the country," Chertoff said. "This guidance is more than just instruction on how to apply for money. It sets national priorities, it builds on the progress we've made over the last several years, and it helps to shape our country's preparedness and protection programs."