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Attachment A FOREWORD On October 18, 2004, the President signed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act of 2005, thereby providing vital funding needed to ensure the safety and security of our homeland. Through the DHS Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness's (SLGCP) Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), state and local emergency prevention, preparedness, and response personnel will receive approximately $3 billion in funding to enhance our nation's homeland security. The 2005 appropriation by Congress is a firm commitment to continue to protect and defend the security of the United States of America against the threat posed by terrorism. In an effort to streamline and better coordinate funding to the states and territories, DHS established SLGCP, which is tasked with preparing the nation for acts of terrorism. SLGCP is developing and implementing a national program to enhance the capacity of state and local agencies to respond to incidents of terrorism, particularly those involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive incidents, as well as natural disasters, through coordinated training, exercises, equipment acquisition, and technical assistance. SLGCP, through ODP, has consolidated application requests and the administration of six programs, including the State Homeland Security Program, the Urban Areas Security Initiative, the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program, the Citizen Corps Program, the Emergency Management Performance Grants, and the Metropolitan Medical Response System Program Grants. All six programs have been integrated into the FY05 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) to better facilitate the coordination and management of preparedness funding, and will be guided by the State and Urban Area Homeland Security Strategies. This funding and consolidation of programs reflects the intent of Congress and the Administration to enhance security and overall preparedness to prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. The FY05 HSGP will continue to provide funding for planning, equipment, training, exercises, and program management and administration for emergency prevention, preparedness, and response personnel in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories, while expanding the scope and reach of the program. States and territories will now have the opportunity to utilize their recently completed homeland security strategies to more effectively address the gaps between needs and existing capabilities. Changes and additions to the allowable uses of funds reflect input received by DHS from state and local officials and a continued commitment to better serve our nation's emergency prevention, preparedness, and response agencies. The Department of Homeland Security is committed to working with the nation's response community in the national effort to combat terrorism and secure our homeland. Tom Ridge Secretary Department of Homeland Security ii