CA-YNP - Yosemite National Park Prescribed Fire Scheduled

Prescribed Fire Scheduled in Yosemite National ParkBurn Scheduled for Wawona and South Entrance Area 

Yosemite National Park is planning a prescribed fire in the Wawona area, near the South Entrance.  The fire is planned for tomorrow, Thursday, February 26, 2015 and will include 533 acres.  The first segment of the burn will consist of 60 acres.  The completion of the remaining 473 acres will occur throughout the month of March, weather dependent, concluding no later than Monday, March 30, 2015.  

The prescribed fire is scheduled to occur just prior to precipitation in the Yosemite area.  The burn area does not have a history of prescribed fire treatment on record.  However, 200 feet of understory vegetation has previously been thinned to facilitate the use of the road as a fuel break. 

The primary objective of the prescribed fire is to reduce hazardous vegetation (fuel) around the community of Wawona.  The project will also help protect park infrastructure at the South Entrance Station and reduce the threat of wildfires originating along the Wawona Road that could adversely impact the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.  Through this burn, a continuous fuel break will be created between the community of Wawona and the South Entrance, linking multiple previous fires, including prescribed fires and thinning projects. 

Further objectives of the project include ecosystem restoration.  Prescribed fires mimic the frequent, low intensity lightning caused fires that occur naturally in the Yosemite area.  Historically, natural fire burned an average of 16,000 acres annually in Yosemite.  These fires played an integral role in shaping Yosemite’s ecosystem.  In the absence of fire, unnatural levels of forest fuel can accumulate, placing Yosemite’s natural and cultural values at risk.  

During active burning, smoke may be present along the Wawona Road and in the community of Wawona.  Fire managers are working with the Mariposa County Air Pollution District (MCAPCD) to time the project to coincide with favorable weather that will facilitate good air quality, and disperse smoke into the atmosphere away from the community.  Prior to ignition, smoke monitoring equipment will be installed in the community and a burn permit will be issued to the park by MCAPCD. 

Visitors and employees are urged to drive with caution as firefighters, fire equipment, smoke, and debris may be present along the roadway. 

Fire crews from the National Park Service, CAL FIRE, and the U.S. Forest Service are assisting in this prescribed fire.  

For more information about fire management in Yosemite National Park, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/fireinfo.htm 

Yosemite News Release

February 25, 2015

For Immediate Release 

Media Contacts:

Scott Gediman 209-372-0529

Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

Ashley Mayer 209-372-0824 

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Shasta-Trinity National Forest - Five Cent Prescribed Burn In Weaverville #CAFire

Five Cent Prescribed Burn

WEAVERVILLE, Calif. - The Shasta-Trinity National Forest is planning a prescribed burn for February 24-25, 2015 in Weaverville, California. The project area is located two miles north of downtown Weaverville between Garden Gulch and Jackass Ridge. The size of the area is approximately 146 acres and consists of grass, brush, and oak-woodland vegetation.

The purpose of the controlled burn is to reduce fuel loadings within the Weaverville Wildland Urban Interface and to improve wildlife habitat by creating openings in brush patches and to stimulate new growth in manzanita and buck brush.

The US Forest Service and Weaverville Fire Department firefighters will implement the burn. The Forest Service is working with North Coast Air Quality Management District to monitor air quality. A 10- acre test burn will occur prior to burning the entire unit to monitor fire behavior and smoke lift and dispersion.

Ignitions will occur throughout the day Tuesday and possibly Wednesday. Firefighters will use drip torches to ignite surface fuels, and controlled ignition patterns in order to create a mosaic of fire intensities.

Smoke will be visible from many places in Weaverville, such as Tops Market, Ace Hardware, Weaverville Airport, East Weaver, and Oregon Mountain Summit.

For more information, please call Lara Graham at 623-1788 (desk) or 440-8098 (cell).
Additional Contact: Andrea Capps (530) 226-2494, (530) 605-7337
Shasta-Trinity National Forest Headquarters
3644 Avtech Parkway
Redding, CA 96002
(530) 226-2500
711 (TTY) All Offices

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Public Meetings: CAL FIRE Proposing Changes to SRA Fee Maps #CAFire #SRAtax

CAL FIRE Proposing Changes to SRA – Schedules Public Meetings

CAL FIRE Proposed Changes to SRA MapCredit: CFN 2015

 Sacramento -- The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is proposing a number of changes to its current State Responsibility Area (SRA) maps as part of a mandatory five-year review process. CAL FIRE staff began the review in 2014 to reassess lands in and around the SRA and capture changes in land use, density of areas due to development, and other changes that would merit reclassification of lands either into or out of the SRA. CAL FIRE has announced public meetings in Redding on February 26, 2015, and San Diego on February 27, 2015, followed by a hearing to approve the changes at the March 4, 2015 Board of Forestry meeting in Sacramento. 

CAL FIRE estimates that the changes will increase SRA lands by a net of 4,729 acres. Many counties, like Glenn and Colusa, will see a net loss of SRA acres, which will be reclassified as local responsibility areas. Others, such as Merced and Tehama, will see significant net gains of SRA land after the changes. This will effectively force owners of an estimated 939 structures to pay the SRA fee beginning in 2015-16. However, the agency also estimates that 1,353 structures will be removed from SRA, for a net loss in the total number of structure owners being charged the SRA fee.

A full schedule of the public meetings, as well as proposed acreage changes by county and an interactive map, can be accessed here.

More Information and resources

Resource Protection Committee

The RPC is a standing committee of the Board. The mission of the RPC is to evaluate and promote an effective fire protection system implemented by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and improve forest and rangeland health in California.

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2015 State Responsibility Area (SRA) Review and Proposed Changes

CAL FIRE is required to maintain official maps of State Responsibility Areas (SRA), where the State has financial responsibility for preventing and suppressing fires as determined by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (PRC 4102-4125). CAL FIRE conducts a 5 year review of SRA maps as required by PRC 4125 to capture changes in land use, for example conversion in or out of agriculture, areas of densification due to development, and other relevant changes. SRA data are updated on a more frequent basis to capture annexations and changes in federal ownership that affect SRA status. You may read more about the process in the SRA Classification System document. Below are two documents that summarize the changes. They include:

• Proposed Changes by County :
  A table listing each proposed change to SRA status by county
• Summary of Changes by County :
  A table that summarizes the net change in SRA acres by county for proposed changes to SRA status

Public Comment and the Approval Process

Changes were submitted by CAL FIRE Units and contract counties and have gone through the official approval process at the Unit, Region, and State Review Team levels. There will be a series of public hearing meetings during February to collect public input on the proposed changes. Changes will be presented to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection for final approval on March 4th, 2015. 

Public hearing meeting dates and locations will be posted on this site when they become available.

SRA 2015 Review Viewer

The Viewer displays the proposed changes, and has tools for zooming in to an address, changing base maps, or identifying individual changes. A Help file is provided at the upper right corner of the Viewer.

LAUNCH VIEWER

SRA Data

CAL FIRE maintains the boundaries of State Responsibility Areas (SRA) within a Geographic Information System (GIS). The data are continuously updated, and updates are released twice a year. SRA data can be downloaded here;

http://frap.fire.ca.gov/projects/sra_mapping/index.php

Contact Information

Written comments shall be submitted to the following address:

Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
Attn: George Gentry
Executive Officer
P.O. Box 944246
Sacramento, CA 94244-2460

Written comments may also be sent to the Board via facsimile at the following phone number:
(916) 653-0989

Written comments may also be delivered via e-mail at the following address:
board.public.comments@bof.ca.gov

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Oakland Man Arrested For Burning Puppy Dog In Cage

Oakland man accused of torturing dog in Sacramento

Suspect Dog Burner Willie Turner (Feb. 20, 2015)

Photo Credit: Sacramento County Sheriff's Department

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) —Sacramento police have arrested an Oakland man on suspicion of torture in the burning death of a dog found inside a cage carrier in North Sacramento.

The incident happened in the morning hours of Jan. 22 when Sacramento Metro firefighters found debris in the front of the Oak Plains Masonic Lodge along Becerra Way.

Within the small fire, they discovered the remains of a small plastic dog carrier and the remains of a small puppy inside.

Sacramento Metro Fire contacted the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department and began a joint investigation, which led to a warrant and arrest of an Oakland man identified as Willie Turner, 20.

With the help through an arson tip line, donations, animal groups and the Sacramento SPCA, authorities developed a lead in the case.

Authorities said that the dog was about 8-9 months old at the time of death. It was a small, tan-colored, mixed-breed female dog. She was burned alive.

Source story: Oakland man accused of torturing dog in Sacramento

Previous related story: Sac Metro: Dog found in crate was burned alive
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History: The Station Nightclub Fire 2-20-2003 Lesson Learned - Have an Exit Strategy

The Station Nightclub Fire On February 20, 2003, 100 club-goers died when a fire broke out in The Station nightclub in Rhode Island.

Illegal Pyrotechnics from the band on stage ignited nearby walls and ceilings and the fire spread rapidly. 400-plus individuals in attendance turned and started for the main entrance. But the intensity of the flames and smoke caused the crowd to panic and surge forward, everyone pushing for the front door. Individuals fell, causing others to fall and, in less than 90 seconds, the front exit door was blocked

The Station nightclub fire was the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history, killing 100 people. The fire began at 11:07 PM EST, on Thursday, February 20, 2003, at The Station, a glam metal and rock and roll-themed nightclub located at 211 Cowesett Avenue in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

The Station Nightclub Fire Video

Lessons learned resources: 

1.) Computer Video Simulation - Simulation of the Rhode Island nightclub fire using building EXODUS V4.0 and SMARTFIRE V4.1 - http://youtu.be/gmPOIriMiyU

2.) NIST Re-creation of "The Station Night Club fire" without sprinklers - http://youtu.be/IxiOXZ55hbc
3.) Surviving the Station Nightclub Fire - National Fire Protection AssociationTen years ago, fire consumed the Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode island. One hundred people died in the fire, making it "the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in American history." In this video, Station nightclub fire survivor Robert Feeney.talks about his experience the night of the fire and how it later led to his work as a sprinkler advocate. http://youtu.be/mxVd3ZnvayY

4.) The Station Night Club Fire (Clear Audio) - http://youtu.be/GymIhaxV7VE

5.) The Station nightclub fire (February 20, 2003) A Study - http://failures.wikispaces.com/The+Station+nightclub

The Station Nightclub Fire Floor Plan

On Thursday, February 20, 2003, The Station nightclub was hosting a show with several bands, including a headlining act, the popular rock act Great White. The show was promoted heavily and a large crowd was expected.

At approximately 11:07 p.m., the headlining act took the stage (NFPA 2006). A few seconds into the act, pyrotechnic “gerbs” – which are designed to emit a fountain of sparks – were ignited by a stagehand (NFPA 2004). The sparks emanating from the gerbs ignited the highly combustible polyurethane sound-proofing foam covering the platform’s walls (Keith 2008).

Within 9 seconds, flames were visible on the walls on either side of the platform. For the following several seconds, the band seemed unaware of the open flames and the crowd assumed the flames were part of the performance. The fire quickly spread to engulf much of the platform’s walls, prompting the crowd to start reacting. Approximately 30 seconds after ignition, flames had reached the ceiling, the band had stopped playing and left the platform, and the crowd began its frantic attempt to exit the building (NFPA 2006).

The majority of the club’s patrons attempted to exit the building where they entered – the front doors. Fire alarms were audible at 48 seconds after ignition. After just 75 seconds, smoke reached the ceiling throughout the room and began drifting out the entrances. Widespread panic was not yet evident but egress through the front doors had slowed considerably (NFPA 2006).

At this point in the video, the cameraman exited through the front doors and began circling the building. After 1 minute and 40 seconds had elapsed from time of ignition, heavy black smoke billows out all openings of the building, as patrons use both windows and doors to escape. Seconds later, with heavy smoke now pouring out of the building and fire alarms no longer audible from the outside, patrons desperately attempting to escape began to pile up inside the front doors (NFPA 2006).

At 4 minutes and 30 seconds from ignition, bright orange flames were seen deep within the building, as sirens sounded in the background. Approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds later, flames as tall as the building rose out every window and door. In the 6 minutes from time of ignition, the entire facility was engulfed in flames (NFPA 2006).

Because it was a high-casualty fire caused by illegal indoor usage of outdoor fireworks, the 2003 disaster bore similarities to the 2004 República Cromañón nightclub fire in Buenos Aires, Argentina; the 2008 Wuwang Club fire in Shenzhen, China; the 2009 Santika Club fire in Watthana, Bangkok, Thailand (cause is disputed); the 2009 Lame Horse fire in Perm, Russia; and the 2013 Kiss nightclub fire in Santa Maria, Brazil.

Some text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Station_nightclub_fire

Image: NY DailyNews: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ten-years-station-nighclub-fire-town-recovering-article-1.1269044

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San Diego: Cocos Fire Teen Suspect Turns Down Plea Deal #CAFire #CocosFire

Cocos Fire suspect: Teen turns down plea deal

SAN DIEGO - A teenage girl accused of sparking the Cocos Fire in San Marcos that destroyed nearly 40 homes turned down a plea deal on Thursday.

The case against the girl, who is not being named because she is a minor, is scheduled to go to trial next month.

The Cocos Fire broke out May 14, 2014 and scorched nearly 2,000 acres. It was one of a spate of more than a dozen wildfires that erupted in the San Diego area in critically hot, dry and windy conditions.

The fires forced hundreds of evacuations and temporarily closed numerous schools and businesses. Damage to private property was estimated at nearly $30 million and the costs of extinguishing the wildfires was nearly $28 million.

Fire victims can call (858) 694-4241 to get more information about the case.

The teenager is facing up to nearly 14 years behind bars if convicted.

Source: http://www.10news.com/news/cocos-fire-suspect-teen-turns-down-plea-deal
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LAFD: Exxon Mobil Refinery Explosion Leaves Huge Flare Burning And Ash Falling #CAFire

An explosion and fire ripped through a gasoline processing unit at an Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, near Los Angeles on Wednesday, slightly injuring four workers and shattering windows of surrounding buildings, authorities said.

A very large smokestack flare burns off flammable product after an explosion in a processing facility at the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015. A small ground fire was quickly extinguished and the facility's flare system was triggered for safety reasons. Two workers suffered minor injuries. (AP Photo/Daily Breeze, Chuck Bennett

MORE: Two minor injuries reported in #Exxon oil refinery explosion http://t.co/gSaHRl8FvS pic.twitter.com/hid3J93ovd
— RT America (@RT_America) February 18, 2015

Blast Devastates Refinery, Sends Ash Raining Down on Area

An explosion devastated a section of a major refinery on Wednesday morning, raining down ash in the area

A huge smokestack flare — in which workers were burning off flammable product after the explosion — could be seen for miles around. Four contractors suffered minor injuries as workers fled the site of the blast, according to Exxon Mobil Corp., which owns the refinery.

The facility, a structure several stories tall, was shattered. Crews poured water onto the structure afterward, and a fire spokesman said at midday the situation was controlled.

The blast happened in a recently installed processing facility, and the material involved was gasoline, Fire Department spokesman Steve Deuel said. The facility's flare system was triggered to burn off fuel that could add to the fire, Deuel said.

Residents within a mile or two reported feeling a sharp jolt that they initially thought was an earthquake.

Electrical contractor Cory Milsap-Harris, 21, was in a switch house next door to the blast site keeping an eye on three colleagues working 8 feet underground in a manhole. "Everything was going smooth. Next thing I hear sounded like heavy metal next door. There was a loud bang," he said. "You could feel the building shake a little."

The blast reverberated in his ears despite the several layers of hearing protection he routinely wears, Milsap-Harris said. He rushed his co-workers outside, where people were running away from flames and black smoke.

Brittney Davis, whose office is about a block from the refinery, says the blast sounded and felt like something had rammed her building.

"The whole building shook. We couldn't figure out what it was, but we stepped outside the door and the flames were shooting up from the refinery," Davis said. "I could feel the heat from the flame."

The refinery about 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles covers 750 acres, employs over a thousand people, and processes an average of 155,000 barrels of crude oil per day and produces 1.8 billion gallons of gasoline per year, according to Exxon Mobil.

It accounts for about 8.3 percent of the statewide total capacity, according to state officials.

The four contractors were taken to a hospital for evaluation and three were released, company spokesman Todd Spitler said. The refinery sent many workers home for the day.

Spitler said other parts of the refinery continue to operate. The cause of the explosion was under investigation, and company officials were working with local agencies. Nearby roads were closed after the blast hit, shortly before 9 a.m., Torrance police Sgt. Paul Kranke said.

Students at 13 nearby schools were kept indoors, said Tammy Khan of the Torrance Unified School District.

The state Division of Occupational Safety and Health is leading the investigation, which can take six months to complete.

Cal-OSHA inspectors shut down a fluid catalytic cracking unit — a device used in refining oil — where the accident was thought to have occurred, said Erika Monterroza, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Industrial Relations.

Additional source: http://news.yahoo.com/refinery-blast-sprays-ash-forces-students-shelter-place-183458824--finance.html

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Antarctica SAR: U.S.Coast Guard crew rescues 26 people trapped by Antarctic ice

Coast Guard crew rescues 26 people trapped by Antarctic ice

Capt. Matthew Walker, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, thanks the ship's crew after safely escorting the fishing vessel Antarctic Chieftain out of the ice in the Southern Ocean, Feb. 15, 2015. Polar Star’s crew assisted the Antarctic Chieftain after the vessel was disabled and beset by ice. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class George Degener)

COAST GUARD ISLAND ALAMEDA, Calif. – A fishing vessel trapped in Antarctic ice 900-miles northeast of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, for nearly two weeks is free following an international rescue operation that ended successfully Sunday at approximately 8 p.m.

Final Update: 

The Antarctic Chieftain, an Australian-flagged fishing vessel, was rescued by the 150-person crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star. The rescue operation spanned more than 860 miles and required the crew to break through 150 miles of thick Antarctic ice and navigate around icebergs that were miles wide.

“We are proud of the commitment and dedication of the Coast Guardsmen aboard Polar Star, but most importantly, we are grateful they were able to safely reach Antarctic Chieftain and rescue 26 people in distress,” said Vice Adm. Charles W. Ray, Pacific Area commander. “This was a complex and dangerous rescue mission; however, the crew rose to the challenge, and they exemplify the Coast Guard’s Core Values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty and our service’s commitment to excellence.”

The crew navigated through difficult weather conditions during the five-day rescue operation including heavy snow fall, high winds and extreme ice conditions. Coast Guardsmen aboard the Polar Star reported whiteout snow conditions early in the operation, and they were required to break through ice that had built up over several years making it extremely thick. 

“I doubt any medium icebreaker could have made the rescue since we had to go on turbine to get through the multiyear ice that appeared to be as thick as 20 feet in places. The amount of icebergs in the region suggested that the area was extremely hazardous to navigation,” said Capt. Matthew Walker, the commanding officer of Cutter Polar Star. “This rescue demonstrates the importance of our nation’s only active heavy icebreaker in the Polar Regions.” 

Antarctic Chieftain damaged three of its four propeller blades in the ice, which required the Coast Guardsmen aboard Polar Star to tow the vessel through about 60-miles of ice into open water. Towing the 207-foot fishing vessel through heavy ice placed varying strain on the tow line, which broke three times during the rescue mission. Once in open water, the Antarctic Chieftain was able to maneuver under its own power. The crew of the fishing vessel Janas will escort the Antarctic Chieftain to Nelson, New Zealand.

“There were some very happy sailors aboard Antarctic Chieftain upon our arrival,” said Walker.  “The ice conditions that we found the fishermen in were dire, more so if Antarctic Chieftain had to stay much longer.” 

Coast Guardsmen reached the crew of the fishing vessel Friday after traveling across more than 150 miles of ice. The fishermen requested assistance from Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand Tuesday evening after becoming trapped in the ice. RCC New Zealand requested U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, homeported in Seattle, to respond to the Antarctic Chieftain’s request for assistance.

 The crew of Polar Star was deployed to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, as part of Operation Deep Freeze, which provides military logistical support to the U.S. Antarctic Program managed by the National Science Foundation.

The crew of Polar Star will continue their journey home to Seattle. The Polar Star is the nation’s only heavy icebreaker capable of operating in the thick Antarctic ice for a mission such as breaking out the Antarctic Chieftain or clearing McMurdo Sound for the annual resupply of McMurdo Station. The 399-foot cutter is one of the largest ships in the Coast Guard and one of the world's most powerful non-nuclear icebreakers. 

For photos of the rescue, please click here – https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/antarctichieftain

For video and photos of Polar Star’s recent operations in support of the National Science Foundation’s Antarctic program in McMurdo Sound, please click here –

https://www.dvidshub.net/portfolio/1099389/george-degener

To read the cutter’s blog posts about their, journey please click here - http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/tag/operation-deep-freeze-2015/.   

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Date: Feb 17, 2015

Coast Guard Pacific Area Command

Contact: LT Donnie Brzuska
Office: (510) 437-3319
Mobile: (510) 333-6297

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FEMA: Home Fire Sprinklers Save Family and Firefighter Lives

Home Fire Sprinklers Save Lives

Home fire sprinklers not only save lives, but also decrease the risk for firefighters when installed. Sprinklers reduce the intensity of the fire by dousing the flame before it can grow and spread. Modern home sprinklers are more sensitive to heat than commercial sprinklers.

Homeowners may think all sprinklers look like industrial sprinklers in stores; but home fire sprinklers are smaller and less conspicuous than commercial or industrial types. They are also available in colors that match décor and styles that are flush with the ceiling. Sprinklers can prevent devastating home damage by extinguishing flames quickly and limiting the damage caused by smoke and fire. They are also less damaging than water damage caused by firefighting hose lines.

Installing a home sprinkler system to a home that is under construction or being remodeled does not require a lot of extra piping and labor, but it increases the safety of residents. A sprinkler costs about $1.35 per square foot. This cost is about the same as upgraded cabinets or carpet.
More information is available at www.usfa.fema.gov.

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DHS Grant Program Preparedness (Non-Disaster) Grants: Authorized Equipment List (AEL)

FEMA Grant Authorized Equipment List (AEL)

The AEL is a tool used to determine allowability of equipment types for FEMA’s Preparedness Grant Programs. The AEL is used to facilitate more effective and efficient procurement of items under specific FEMA Preparedness Grants by informing grantees of equipment items allowed under specific grant programs and relevant programmatic considerations associated with each equipment item. The AEL consists of 21 equipment categories, which are then divided into sub-categories, and then individual equipment items.

TSA Baggage Search Overtime Pay Would Qualify For Grant Money
Photo Credit WSJ

FEMA provides state and local governments with preparedness program funding in the form of Non-Disaster Grants to enhance the capacity of state and local emergency responders to prevent, respond to, and recover from a weapons of mass destruction terrorism incident involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive devices and cyber-attacks.

Access Authorized Equipment List (AEL) file.

FY 2014 Preparedness Grants | Allocation Announcement

• Information Bulletin No. 398a - Update to Fiscal Year 2014 Preparedness Grant Programs Allocations Announcement
• Information Bulletin No. 398 - Fiscal Year 2014 DHS Preparedness Grant Programs Allocation Announcement
• FY 2014 EMPG: FY 2014 EMPG Program Fact Sheet
• FY 2014 HSGP: FY 2014 HSGP Fact Sheet
• FY 2014 IPR: FY 2014 IPR Fact Sheet
• FY 2014 NSGP: FY 2014 NSGP Fact Sheet
• FY 2014 PSGP: FY 2014 PSGP Fact Sheet
• FY 2014 TSGP: FY 2014 TSGP Fact Sheet
• FY 2014 THSGP: FY 2014 THSGP Fact Sheet

FY 2014 Preparedness Grants | Funding Opportunity Announcement

• FY 2014 EMPG: FY 2014 EMPG Program Funding Opportunity Announcement
• FY 2014 HSGP: FY 2014 HSGP Funding Opportunity Announcement
• FY 2014 IPR: FY 2014 IPR Funding Opportunity Announcement
• FY 2014 NSGP: FY 2014 NSGP Funding Opportunity Announcement
• FY 2014 PSGP: FY 2014 PSGP Funding Opportunity Announcement
• FY 2014 TSGP: FY 2014 TSGP Funding Opportunity Announcement
• FY 2014 THSGP: FY 2014 THSGP Funding Opportunity Announcement
• Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG)

Please note:  The FY 2014 Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) are awarded on a rolling cycle, with all funds awarded prior to September 30, 2015. 

FY 2014 Preparedness Grants | Additional Information

• FY 2014 Continuing Training Grants (CTG) Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• FY 2014 Continuing Training Grants (CTG) Program Fact Sheet

More Information Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeland_Security_Grant_Program

Homeland Security Grant Program

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Seal of the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) is a program in the United States established in 2003 and was designated to incorporate all projects that provide funding to local, state, and Federal government agencies by the Department of Homeland Security.^[1] The purpose of the grants is to purchase surveillance equipment, weapons, and advanced training for law enforcement personnel in order to heighten security.^[1][2] The HSGP helps fulfill one of the core missions of the Department of Homeland Security by enhancing the country's ability to prepare for, prevent, respond to and recover from potential attacks and other hazards. The HSGP is one of the main mechanisms in funding the creation and maintenance of national preparedness, which refers to the establishment of plans, procedures, policies, training, and equipment at the Federal, State, and local level that is needed to maximize the ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from major events such as terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies.^[3][4] The HSGP's creation stemmed from the consolidation of six original projects that were previously funded by the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness.^[5] The HSGP now encompasses five projects in the program: State Homeland Security Program, Urban Areas Security Initiative, Operation Stonegarden, Metropolitan Medical Response System Program, and Citizen Corps Program.^[3] During the 2010 fiscal year, the Department of Homeland Security will spend $1,786,359,956 on the Homeland Security Grant Program.^[3]

Funding controversy[edit]

Some criticism of the Homeland Security Grant Program has come from the distribution of funds. Not unlike the highway systems, education, etc., the HSGP distributes 60% of their funds on the basis of population and the other 40% is evenly spread across all recipients regardless of population.^[5] Wyoming for instance, despite being the least populous state, received more funding per capita in homeland security grants than any other state in 2004.^[5] At $45.22 per citizen of the state, Wyoming received more than four times the amount of funding per citizen given to either California or New York.^[5] Another criticism has come for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in regards to the risk-based grant methodology.^[11] Although the GAO concluded that the overall risk-based methodology (threat, vulnerability and consequences) was reasonable, the absence of a proper way to measure variations in vulnerability greatly reduce the value of the vulnerability portion of the assessment.^[11] Ultimately, they concluded that the vulnerability measure as part of its risk analysis model should be amended to better capture variations in vulnerability across the different states and urban areas it assesses.^[11]

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