Office for Domestic Preparedness 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

Washington, DC 20531

ODP Information Bulletin 

No. 147 January 19, 2004 

TO All State Administrative Agency Heads 

 All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact 

 All State Homeland Security Directors 

 All State Emergency Management Directors 

FROM: C. Suzanne Mencer 

 Executive Director 

SUBJECT: Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Warning Network (CWIN) User Training Costs 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wishes to announce to State Homeland Security 

Advisors the availability of a new network initiative designed to improve awareness and early 

identification of threats to critical infrastructure, called CWIN. CWIN is currently being deployed to 

all State Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and will be used during national emergencies to 

restore key services. To facilitate training on and use of CWIN, the department would like to 

encourage all CWIN users to attend the available user conference and training seminars offered in 

February of 2005. In support of this training initiative, the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) 

is expanding allowable training-related costs under FY 2005 Homeland Security Grant Program 

(HSGP) and FY 2005 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) program guidance for costs associated 

with the attendance of State and local employees at this DHS-sponsored CWIN User Training 

Seminar. Allowable training-related costs include travel, overtime, and backfill costs to replace 

personnel who are attending the DHS CWIN User Training. 

The DHS CWIN User Training is recommended for current CWIN users, including: 

• State Homeland Security Advisors and their staff who will be using CWIN 

• State Emergency Managers and their staff who will be using CWIN 

Travel costs for those attending the DHS CWIN User Training seminars, such as airfare, mileage, 

per diem, and hotel, are allowable as expenses and must be in accordance with State law as 

highlighted in the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Financial Guide. States must also follow State 

regulations regarding travel. If a State or territory does not have a travel policy they must follow 

federal guidelines and rates, as explained in the OJP Financial Guide. For further information on 

federal law pertaining to travel costs please refer to www.ojp.usdoj.gov/FinGuide. 

As mentioned previously in the memo, overtime and backfill costs are allowable under this initiative. 

Payment of overtime expenses will be for work performed in excess of the established work week 

(usually 40 hours). These costs are allowed only to the extent the payment for such services is in 
Office for Domestic Preparedness 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

Washington, DC 20531

accordance with the policies of the State or unit(s) of local government and has the approval of the 

State or the awarding agency, whichever is applicable. In no case is dual compensation allowable. 

For further information on the CWIN seminar, please contact Mr. Kevin Piekarski, CWIN Program 

Manager, ICD. Kevin.Piekarski@dhs.gov

If you have any questions or for further information, please contact your ODP Preparedness Officer 

or the ODP Helpline at (800) 368-6498.