The Houston Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Initiative (RCPI) and the Houston Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) hosted a planning seminar with the focus of incorporating the unique requirements of individuals with functional and access needs in all areas of emergency planning.

Bringing leaders together from emergency management and disability communities, this event focused on building partnerships, increasing resilience, and identifying Functional Needs Support Services (FNSS) best practices. The group also reviewed the Texas FNSS tool kit, a document designed to assist emergency planners in understanding the requirements related to sheltering and serving those who have access and functional needs. Attendees and speakers included local advocacy groups, non-profit organizations, and local and state emergency officials.

Read more @ houston.cbslocal.com

The Baltimore region — including Howard County — will receive about half as much federal funding from a key emergency preparedness grant program in fiscal year 2012 as it did in fiscal year 2011, according to budget figures released Feb. 17 by the Department of Homeland Security, which grants the funds.

As one of 31 cities to receive funding through the department’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program, Baltimore will receive about $4.1 million in 2012, compared to the $7.8 million it received in 2011.

For local emergency officials, the announcement was welcome news.

Read more @ www.baltimoresun.com

On February 17th, the Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) announced the availability of the Fiscal Year 2012 Program Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA).

Seven FY 2012 preparedness grant programs being made available representing $1,381,476,000 in FY 2012 federal assistance.

UASI grants totaled $490 million, more than many expected.

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Last week, President Barack Obama unveiled his fourth federal budget proposal, a $3.8 trillion proposal that, among other things, would provide $50 billion for immediate transportation investments, $30 billion to modernize schools, $30 billion to hire teachers and first responders and $2.9 billion to support workforce development training programs.

NLC President Ted Ellis, mayor of Bluffton, Ind., said that city leaders are pleased with the overall direction of the budget, which tries to mix spending cuts with important investments in infrastructure and human capital. However, more can be done to give city governments the flexibility and resources to create opportunities at the local level.

“Federal investments in cities do not stay in City Hall. They go to local businesses and service providers who act as partners in transforming their neighborhoods and delivering services,” said Ellis. “While it is important that Congress and the Administration continue to tackle the budget deficit, they also must still focus on creating an environment for private sector growth on the local level.”

The President’s proposal is a step in that direction, calling for $476 billion over six years for highways and mass transit, as well as initiatives that would enhance start-up access to credit, promote entrepreneurship and cut taxes for small businesses.

Read more @ www.nlc.org

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced the release of FY 2012 grant guidance and application kits for seven DHS preparedness grant programs totaling over $1.3 billion to assist states, urban areas, tribal and territorial governments, non-profit agencies, and the private sector in strengthening our nation’s ability to prevent, protect, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies in support of the National Preparedness Goal.

In FY 2012, DHS preparedness grants were reduced by nearly $1 billion from the FY 2011 enacted level and $1.5 billion below the President’s FY 2012 request. (more…)