Small Communities Encouraged
to Apply for Critical Homeland Security Funds
JEFFERSON CITY, August 17, 2006-Homeland Security Coordinator
Paul Fennewald announced today local Missouri jurisdictions and first
responder agencies can make application for the Commercial Equipment
Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP) sponsored by the U.S Department
of Homeland Security.
“This program is destined to meet the needs of
small and rural jurisdictions whose homeland security mission include
protecting critical infrastructure such as petroleum pipelines, nuclear
or hydroelectric power stations, reservoirs and public transportation,”
Fennewald said.
This competitive program will be a direct assistance
program, as opposed to a grant program. The U.S. Department of Homeland
Security will provide the equipment and technical assistance directly
to the selected jurisdictions.
Fennewald added that while any jurisdiction can apply
for the specific listed equipment as set out in the guidelines, Missouri
has been working on a strategic homeland security plan for the state.
In order to ensure a seamless, unified approach to homeland security,
the jurisdictions are encouraged to coordinate their request with
the Missouri Office of Homeland Security.
The innovative program seeks to transfer equipment
to smaller jurisdictions and eligible metropolitan areas filling gaps
where smaller jurisdictions have been unable to acquire needed equipment
in the past. While they face the common threat of terrorism, the needs
of smaller jurisdictions are very different from the needs of larger
metropolitan areas. Smaller agencies confront threats to the transportation
infrastructure, agriculture, water supplies, power grids and other
critical items spread out over a wide geographical area.
Eligible applicants include law enforcement agencies,
fire, and other emergency responders who demonstrate in their application
that the equipment will be used to improve their ability and capacity
to respond to a major critical incident or improve their ability to
work with other first responder. Eligible applicants include agencies
and departments not currently receiving funding from either of Missouri’s
Urban Area Security Initiative UASI cities which are Kansas and St.
Louis, or other Missouri Homeland Security related local jurisdiction
grants
To submit an application for an FY 2006 CEDAP award,
applicants should visit www.rkb.mipt.org/. Once submitted, the application
undergoes several steps, including approval by the applicant's respective
State Administrative Agency (SAA), and a review board composed of
subject matter experts.
You can access information on the SEMA Website at: http://sema.dps.mo.gov/terrorlinks.htm.
This website will also give you access to the RKG. Read the CEDAP
Briefing Book before you sign into the RKB. Sign into the RKB as a
guest, go to “Search the RKB, highlight “Major Programs”
and select “Homeland Security Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance
Program (CEDAP)” this will take you to the CEDAP application.
The application deadline is Sept. 22, 2006.