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10-A-4 GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES GRANT FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS City officials interested in building upon existing emergency management and preparedness programs can now access grant funds designed to enhance the scope and capacity of California's emergency response systems. The funds are available through two Governor's Office programs: Emergency Preparedness, and Service and Volunteerism (GO SERV). Cities must work in cooperation with their respective Operational Area (OA) to access the funds, which address three areas of emergency response: (1) Updating comprehensive emergency operations plans (EDP), (2) Increasing the number of Californians trained through Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), and (3) Establishing local Citizen Corps Councils. Funding opportunities are immediate, and the funds will be distributed to the OAs according to a "base + population" formula. The 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act was passed by the Congress and signed by the President on August 2, 2002. In part, this Act authorizes federal funding for the updating of Emergency Operation Plans (EOPs). As a follow up to the Act, the Governor's Office of Emergency Services will provide grants to local government to update EOPs, with special emphasis on terrorism preparedness. Likewise, the Governor's Office of Service and Volunteerism will provide grants for the implementa- tion of Citizen Corps/CERT programs to engage citizens in homeland security. Emergency Operations Planning: The Federal Emergency Management Agency has distributed nearly $12 million to California for states and local governments to update and enhance existing Emergency Operations Plans for all hazards with special emphasis on Weapons of Mass Destruction terrorism preparedness. Planning funds may be used tc enhance mutual aid agreements, communications interoperability, incident command systems, protectio• )f critic ,nfrastr. ure, and coordina- tion of citizen and family preparedness plans and programs, including Citizen Corps w:i CERT. _-ES will a funds directly to OAs, which are directed to implement planning strategies that foster interdisciplinary coordination between and among various constituents and disciplines, including fire services, law enforcement, and emergency medical services. DES recently released a local government guidance document for the EDP grants that may be accessed at www.oes.ca.aov. Citizen Corps & CERT: The Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism (GO SERV) has received approximately $1.6 million from the Supplemental Appropriations Act for distribution to Operational Areas for establishment and enhancement of Citizen Corps and CERT programs. Citizen Corps, a component of the USA Freedom Corps —a presidential initiative announced in the State of the Union address earlier this year —was developed in response to the nation's post 9/11 trend of increased citizen involvement and to cultivate volunteer opportunities and training to support communities and family safety. Citizen Corps Councils will be required to engage people in their communities to develop community action plans, assess possible threats and identify local resources needed during emergencies. The local councils will also provide an enhanced linkage between volunteers and the professional first responder community. CERT helps community members prepare for and respond to disasters and other emergencies in their local areas. Across the country, CERT - trained volunteers assist law enforcement and fire fighters, aid in lost or kidnapped children searches, assist Red Cross and other relief organizations in mass care, damage assessment and family services during an emergency. Accessing Funds: Seventy -five percent of the federal funds for all three grants will be distributed to Operational Areas on a base + population formula. Operational Areas are expected to coordinate with their cities, special districts, local Citizen Corps Councils, volunteer centers, service and volunteer organizations, and other interested parties to utilize these funds in a manner that will benefit the overall jurisdiction. Interested parties should contact their Operational Area emergency manage- ment staffs as soon as possible since this grant funds are currently available and all three programs have a one -year perfor- mance period (12/5/02- 12/5/03). To find Operational Area representatives, contact any of the three Governor's Office of Emergency Services Regional Offices —OES Coastal Region, 510 - 286 -0895; DES Inland Region, 916- 845 -8470; DES Southern Region, 562- 795 -2900. For additional information, access GO SERV's website at www.noserv.ca.nov or DES'S website at www.oes.ca.aov. PAGE 4/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org