The State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) grant is a fundamental part of the larger Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Unlike the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), which targets specific high-threat urban areas, SHSP is designed to enhance preparedness capabilities across the entire state, including local and tribal levels, to address a broader range of threats and hazards with a nexus to terrorism.

Here's a detailed background for the Schertz City Council:

1. Program Objectives:

• Statewide Preparedness: The primary goal of SHSP is to build, sustain, and enhance a comprehensive, risk-driven, and capabilities-based approach to homeland security preparedness across all jurisdictions within a state.
• Addressing Preparedness Gaps: It aims to address high-priority preparedness gaps identified through various assessments (like the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, or THIRA, and the Stakeholder Preparedness Review, or SPR) that have a clear connection to terrorism preparedness.
• National Preparedness Goal: SHSP supports the implementation of the National Preparedness System and the achievement of the National Preparedness Goal, which outlines the capabilities necessary for a secure and resilient nation across five mission areas: Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery.
• Dual-Use Capabilities: While focused on terrorism preparedness, the program acknowledges that many capabilities built through SHSP (e.g., enhanced communications, specialized equipment, trained personnel) have "dual-use" benefits, meaning they can also be applied to other natural disasters or man-made incidents.

2. Funding and Allocation in Texas:

• State Administrative Agency (SAA): Similar to UASI, SHSP funds are awarded directly to the State Administrative Agency (SAA), which in Texas is the Governor's Office, Public Safety Office (PSO).
• Pass-Through Requirement: Federal regulations require the SAA to pass through at least 80% of the SHSP funds to local units of government within 45 days of receiving the award.
• Regional Approach in Texas: Texas utilizes a regional approach to manage and distribute SHSP funds. The state is divided into 24 Council of Governments (COG) regions, including the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG), which serves the Schertz area.
• COG Role: Each COG plays a critical role in:
  • Holding application planning workshops and workgroups.
  • Facilitating the prioritization of applications within its region.
  • Submitting a prioritized list of projects to the Texas Public Safety Office (PSO) for final funding decisions.
• Risk-Based Allocation: While supporting statewide preparedness, the allocation of funds to states is still based on a risk methodology determined by FEMA, ensuring resources are directed where they are most needed.

3. Eligible Activities and Priorities:

SHSP funds can be utilized for a broad spectrum of activities, provided they demonstrate a nexus to terrorism preparedness and align with identified capability gaps and national/state priorities. These typically include:

• Planning: Development and enhancement of emergency operations plans, continuity of operations plans, communications plans, and all-hazards mitigation plans. This also includes conducting threat and risk assessments.
• Organization: Supporting the development of regional frameworks, inter-agency agreements, and organizational structures for emergency management.
• Equipment: Procurement of essential equipment across various categories, such as:
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Interoperable communications systems and equipment
  • Cybersecurity enhancement equipment
  • CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) detection and response equipment
  • Specialized response vehicles
  • Physical security enhancements for critical infrastructure and public venues.
• Training: Development and delivery of training programs for first responders, emergency management personnel, public officials, and community members. This includes specialized training for various emergency disciplines.
• Exercises: Design, conduct, and evaluation of drills and exercises (tabletop, functional, full-scale) to test plans, capabilities, and coordination among agencies.
• Information and Intelligence Sharing: Enhancing the capacity for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating threat information and intelligence, including support for fusion centers and suspicious activity reporting initiatives.
• National Priority Areas: FEMA often designates "National Priority Areas" that recipients are required to address with a certain percentage of their SHSP funds. Recent examples have included:
  • Enhancing protection of soft targets/crowded places
  • Enhancing information and intelligence sharing and analysis
  • Combating Domestic Violent Extremism (DVE)
  • Enhancing cybersecurity
  • Enhancing community preparedness and resilience
  • Enhancing election security.
• Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LETPA): A minimum percentage of SHSP funds (e.g., 35% in FY24) must be dedicated to LETPA, focusing on activities like intelligence analysis, interdiction, and physical protective measures.

4. Schertz Engagement with SHSP:

• Regional Coordination: As a city within the AACOG region, Schertz would coordinate with AACOG's Public Safety Office and regional working groups to identify preparedness needs, develop projects, and submit applications.
• Addressing Local Needs within a Regional Context: Schertz can propose projects that address its specific security and preparedness gaps, as long as they align with the broader regional homeland security strategy and the state's overall preparedness goals.
• Compliance Requirements: Applicants must ensure compliance with various federal and state requirements, including participation in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and completing relevant assessments like the National Cybersecurity Review (NCSR) if required.

In essence, the SHSP grant program is a vital mechanism for states like Texas to enhance their overall preparedness posture against terrorism and other significant hazards. For Schertz, it represents an opportunity to leverage federal funding, in coordination with regional partners, to strengthen its local capabilities and contribute to the safety and resilience of the entire state.

This SHSP Grant seeks to bolster regional preparedness and response capabilities for hazardous materials incidents by funding the regional hazardous materials response team based in Schertz, Texas and serving the greater area including Guadalupe, Comal and Bexar counties. The primary goal of the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) is to update and maintain the technical equipment capabilities of our Hazardous Materials Response Team.

Generally, SHSP aims to:

• Enhance Statewide Preparedness: Foster a comprehensive and robust homeland security posture across the entire state, not just in specific urban areas.
• Address Capability Gaps: Fund projects that close identified gaps in the state's preparedness capabilities, as determined through risk assessments like the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR).
• Support the National Preparedness Goal: Contribute to the nationwide effort to achieve the 32 core capabilities outlined in the National Preparedness Goal, spanning all five mission areas of homeland security.
• Promote Risk-Based Investment: Ensure that resources are directed to areas of greatest risk and to address the most pressing threats and hazards.
• Foster Collaboration: Encourage and enable collaboration among various levels of government (state, local, tribal), different disciplines (law enforcement, fire, EMS, public health), and the private sector to create a unified and effective emergency management system.
• Strengthen Dual-Use Capabilities: While the core focus is terrorism preparedness, SHSP also aims to build capabilities that can be "dual-use," meaning they are beneficial for responding to a wider range of emergencies, including natural disasters and other man-made incidents.

Ultimately, the goal is to make communities across the state safer and more resilient in the face of evolving threats to homeland security.

While the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) has a direct focus on terrorism preparedness, its community benefits extend far beyond just preventing acts of terrorism. The capabilities and resources developed through SHSP have a significant "dual-use" value, making communities safer and more resilient against a wide range of threats and hazards, both natural and man-made.

Here are the key community benefits of the SHSP grant program:

Enhanced All-Hazards Preparedness and Response:

• Improved First Responder Capabilities: SHSP funds equip and train a broad spectrum of first responders (police, fire, EMS, public works) across the entire state, not just in urban centers. This means local communities have better-trained personnel and more advanced equipment to handle everything from hazardous materials spills and active shooter incidents to natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, or wildfires.
• Better Communication and Coordination: A significant portion of SHSP funding goes towards improving interoperable communications systems. This allows different agencies and jurisdictions to communicate seamlessly during an emergency, leading to faster, more efficient, and more coordinated responses, ultimately saving lives and reducing property damage.
• Robust Emergency Management Systems: The program strengthens emergency operations centers (EOCs), develops comprehensive emergency plans, and supports regional coordination efforts. This means that when a crisis hits, local governments are better organized and equipped to manage the incident, disseminate information, and allocate resources effectively.

Increased Public Safety and Security:

• Protection of Critical Infrastructure: SHSP supports projects that enhance the security of local critical infrastructure, such as water treatment plants, power grids, public buildings, and transportation networks.Protecting these assets ensures the continuity of essential services that the community relies upon daily.
• Terrorism Prevention and Intelligence Sharing: By funding efforts in intelligence analysis, suspicious activity reporting, and collaboration with federal agencies, SHSP helps prevent potential threats before they materialize, making communities less vulnerable to terrorist acts and other serious crimes.
• Cybersecurity Resilience: A growing focus of SHSP is cybersecurity. Funds help local governments protect their networks and data from cyberattacks, which can disrupt public services, compromise sensitive information, and have widespread negative impacts on a community.

Community Resilience and Empowerment:

• Community Preparedness Programs: SHSP encourages and funds initiatives that empower citizens to be more prepared. This can include Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) training, public awareness campaigns, and programs that involve community organizations, schools, and businesses in preparedness efforts.
• Mitigation of Impacts: Many SHSP-funded activities, such as vulnerability assessments for critical infrastructure or training for specific hazards, directly contribute to mitigating the potential impacts of various disasters, thereby reducing harm and disruption to the community.
• Support for Vulnerable Populations: By improving overall emergency management, SHSP indirectly benefits vulnerable populations who are often disproportionately affected by emergencies, ensuring better access to resources and support during crises.

Economic Stability and Recovery:

• Reduced Economic Disruption: A community that is better prepared for and can effectively respond to emergencies is likely to experience less economic disruption. Businesses can recover faster, and essential services are restored more quickly, minimizing financial losses for both individuals and the local economy.
• Confidence and Investment: A strong public safety and emergency management framework fosters a sense of security and confidence among residents and businesses, which can encourage investment and promote long-term economic stability.

In summary, while SHSP is rooted in homeland security, its practical application translates into a more capable, coordinated, and resilient community that is better equipped to protect its residents and assets from a wide array of threats and emerge stronger from any challenge.

Authorize the submission of and accept the award for an application for the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP); designating the City Manager as the Authorized Official not to exceed the amount of $40,000.00. 

100% Reimbursement Grant Program

The total cost of this grant project is $40,000.00.

Staff recommends the approval of this agenda item.