Office for Domestic Preparedness 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

Washington, DC 20531

ODP Information Bulletin 

No. 144 December 17, 2004 

TO All State Administrative Agency Heads 

 All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact 

 All Core City/Core County Points of Contact 

 All State Homeland Security Directors 

FROM: C. Suzanne Mencer 

 Executive Director 

SUBJECT: Update on Allowable Training Expenditures 

The Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) in the Office of State and Local Government 

Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) encourages States, territories, and Urban Areas to use 

funds to enhance the capabilities of State and local emergency preparedness and response 

personnel through development of a State homeland security training program. Allowable 

training-related costs under SLGCP grant programs include: 1) establishment of chemical, 

biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) terrorism and cyber security training 

programs through existing training academies, universities or junior colleges; and 2) overtime 

and backfill costs associated with attendance at SLGCP-sponsored and -approved CBRNE and 

cyber security training courses. 

In support of these critical training efforts, this document provides clarification on the following 

important issues as they relate to funding in current and previous fiscal years: 

• Eligibility of Designated Trainers to Participate in SLGCP Training 

• Eligibility of Search and Rescue, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and Medical 

Trauma Courses 

• Eligibility of Hazardous Materials Courses 

• Attending Other Federal Courses Related to CBRNE Terrorism 

• Attending Non-SLGCP Courses Related to CBRNE Terrorism 

• Developing and Institutionalizing Non-SLGCP Courses 

• Status of Conditional Approvals of Non-SLGCP Courses 

1. Definitions: 

• SLGCP courses: those courses developed for and or delivered by institutions and 

organizations funded by the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and 

Preparedness

• Federal courses related to CBRNE terrorism: those courses developed for and or 

delivered by institutions funded by Federal entities other than SLGCP which fall within 
the SLGCP mission scope to prepare State and local personnel to prevent, respond to, and 

recover from acts of terrorism involving CBRNE weapons. The SLGCP Eligible 

Terrorism Training Courses list is available at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/training.htm and

will be updated regularly as additional courses become available. 

• Non-SLGCP courses: those courses developed for and or delivered by institutions or 

organizations other than Federal entities or SLGCP

2. Eligibility of Designated Trainers to Participate in SLGCP Training

States and Urban Areas are encouraged to send personnel who serve as designated and/or 

certified trainers within the State or Urban Area to SLGCP train-the-trainer courses in order to 

become certified SLGCP trainers. Attendees must be a designated trainer but are not required to 

currently serve in an “active” emergency responder role. This allowance facilitates the 

institutionalization of SLGCP training at the State and Urban Area level. 

 

3. Eligibility of Search and Rescue, SWAT, and Medical Trauma Courses 

On September 1, 2004, ODP issued Information Bulletin #132 on the Interagency Security 

Planning effort. In this bulletin, ODP expanded the allowable use of grant funds to support 

additional training in the areas of search and rescue, SWAT, and medical trauma provided 

certain requirements were met. The following sections provide further detail on these initiatives. 

A. Eligibility of Search and Rescue Courses 

States and Urban Areas shall conduct search and rescue training in compliance with: 

• NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Rescue and 

Search Incidents

• NFPA 1006, Standard for Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications

Only Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) courses approved by FEMA and delivered by 

FEMA-certified providers are eligible for use of SLGCP funds. A list of these courses

and providers will be maintained by SLGCP in coordination with FEMA. 

The training must not supplant existing resources, but rather must build additional 

capabilities above and beyond those that currently exist. Any additional capabilities 

pursued through these training opportunities must meet a specific need identified through 

the homeland security assessment process and must comport with the State or Urban 

Area Homeland Security Strategy. 

If the USAR course fully addresses the fire service and or hazardous materials sections 

included in the ODP Emergency Responder Guidelines and the ODP Homeland Security 

Guidelines for Prevention and Deterrence, no additional CBRNE-specific training is 

necessary for eligibility purposes. However, if the USAR course does not fully address

these sections included in the ODP Emergency Responder Guidelines and the ODP

Homeland Security Guidelines for Prevention and Deterrence, then the student must also 

complete follow-on CBRNE awareness training within a reasonable timeframe in order 

for the USAR course to be considered an allowable use of SLGCP funds. 

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These USAR courses are intended to build a critical capacity at the State and local levels.

The execution of this training in the stated capacity-building context is unrelated to 

designation of national US&R teams. Therefore, States and UASI jurisdictions may

not request such designation based on training. 

B. Eligibility of SWAT Courses 

SWAT courses are eligible for support through SLGCP funds, provided that the training 

meets the following requirements: 

• The training must not supplant existing resources, but rather must build additional 

capabilities above and beyond those that currently exist. Any additional 

capabilities pursued through these training opportunities must meet a specific 

need identified through the homeland security assessment process and must 

comport with the State or Urban Area Homeland Security Strategy. 

• States and Urban Areas shall conduct training in compliance with State and local 

regulations and policies governing the certification of SWAT personnel. 

• Trainees shall be sworn officers and shall have completed the basic Law

Enforcement training accredited by the appropriate State-level criminal justice 

organization. 

• Training shall be conducted by instructors certified by a State or national level 

criminal justice organization. 

• The State or Urban Area shall ensure that a safety plan is implemented in 

compliance with Federal, State, and/or local regulations and polices governing the 

training of SWAT personnel. 

• If a SWAT course fully addresses the law enforcement sections included in the 

ODP Emergency Responder Guidelines and the ODP Homeland Security 

Guidelines for Prevention and Deterrence, no additional CBRNE-specific 

training is necessary for eligibility purposes. However, if the SWAT course does 

not fully address the law enforcement sections included in the ODP Emergency 

Responder Guidelines and the ODP Homeland Security Guidelines for Prevention 

and Deterrence, then the student must also complete follow-on CBRNE

awareness training within a reasonable timeframe in order for the SWAT course 

to be considered an allowable use of SLGCP funds. 

C. Eligibility of Medical Trauma Courses 

Medical trauma courses are eligible for support through SLGCP funds, provided that the 

training meets the following requirements: 

• The training must not supplant existing resources, but rather must build additional 

capabilities above and beyond those that currently exist. Any additional 

capabilities pursued through these training opportunities must meet a specific 

need identified through the homeland security assessment process and must 

comport with the State or Urban Area Homeland Security Strategy. 

• States and Urban Areas shall conduct training in compliance with NFPA 473, 

Standard for Competencies for EMS Personnel Responding to Hazardous 

Materials Incidents or applicable standards governing the health care community.

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• States and Urban Areas shall conduct training in compliance with State and local 

regulations and policies governing the certification of EMS providers. 

• States or Urban Areas shall coordinate their efforts with the closest Metropolitan

Medical Response System jurisdiction. 

• Trainees shall have completed a basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 

certification per the State or local accreditation requirements. This type of 

training may not be funded with ODP monies.

• If a medical trauma course fully addresses the emergency medical services 

sections included in the ODP Emergency Responder Guidelines and the ODP

Homeland Security Guidelines for Prevention and Deterrence, no additional 

CBRNE-specific training is necessary for eligibility purposes. However, if the 

foundational medical trauma course does not fully address the emergency medical 

services sections included in the ODP Emergency Responder Guidelines and the 

ODP Homeland Security Guidelines for Prevention and Deterrence, then the 

student must also complete follow-on CBRNE awareness training within a 

reasonable timeframe in order for the medical trauma course to be considered an 

allowable use of SLGCP funds. 

4. Eligibility of Hazardous Materials Courses 

Hazardous materials courses—including basic, operations, and technician level courses—are 

eligible for support through SLGCP funds only if the course fully addresses the hazardous 

materials sections included in the ODP Emergency Responder Guidelines and the ODP

Homeland Security Guidelines for Prevention and Deterrence. If the hazardous materials course 

does not fully address the hazardous materials sections included in the ODP Emergency 

Responder Guidelines and the ODP Homeland Security Guidelines for Prevention and 

Deterrence, then the course is not considered an allowable use of SLGCP funds. 

The training must not supplant existing resources, but rather must build additional capabilities 

above and beyond those that currently exist. Any additional capabilities pursued through these 

training opportunities must meet a specific need identified through the homeland security 

assessment process and must comport with the State or Urban Area Homeland Security Strategy. 

5. Attending Other Federal Courses Related to CBRNE Terrorism 

States are no longer required to submit requests for personnel to attend certain Federal courses 

that fall within the SLGCP mission scope of preparing State and local personnel to prevent, 

respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism involving CBRNE weapons. In lieu of requesting 

approval, States and Urban Areas are required to submit information via the training section of 

the ODP website (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/training.htm) on all Federal training they are 

supporting with SLGCP funds. This information consists of such information as course title, 

level of the training, the training provider, the date of the course, the number of individuals to be 

trained, and the sponsoring jurisdiction. 

Several broad categories of courses will automatically be included in the list of eligible Federal 

courses: 

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• All National Incident Management System (NIMS) training approved by the NIMS 

Integration Center (NIC) is eligible for use of SLGCP funds. 

• All Incident Command System (ICS) training offered through the National Fire Academy 

and the Emergency Management Institute is eligible for use of SLGCP funds. This 

guidance applies to resident training, train-the-trainer, and field delivery of courses. 

In conjunction with the release of FY2005 Homeland Security Grant Program guidance, SLGCP 

has published a list of eligible Federal courses that fall within its mission scope. The list is 

posted on the training section of the ODP website (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/training.htm) and 

will be updated regularly as additional courses become available. 

These courses must build additional capabilities that 1) meet a specific need identified through 

the homeland security assessment process, and 2) comport with the State or Urban Area 

Homeland Security Strategy. 

Federal funds must be used to supplement—not supplant—existing funds that have been 

appropriated for the same purpose. Thus, if the State or Urban Area has already budgeted for 

personnel to attend courses, SLGCP funds may only be used to send additional individuals above 

and beyond those previously budgeted. 

6. Attending Non-SLGCP Courses Related to CBRNE Terrorism

States and Urban Areas are no longer required to request approval for personnel to attend nonSLGCP courses that fall within the SLGCP mission scope of preparing State and local personnel 

to prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism involving CBRNE weapons. States 

and Urban Areas are instead required to submit information via the training section of the ODP 

website (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/training.htm) on all non-SLGCP training which they are 

supporting with SLGCP funds. This information consists of such information as course title, 

level of the training, the training provider, the date of the course, the number of individuals to be 

trained, and the sponsoring jurisdiction. States or Urban Areas intending to use SLGCP funds to

support attendance at non-SLGCP courses must ensure that these courses: 

• Fall within the SLGCP mission scope to prepare State and local personnel to prevent, 

respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism involving CBRNE weapons; 

• Build additional capabilities that 1) meet a specific need identified through the homeland

security assessment process, and 2) comport with the State or Urban Area Homeland 

Security Strategy; 

• Address the specific tasks articulated in the ODP Emergency Responder Guidelines and

the ODP Homeland Security Guidelines for Prevention and Deterrence; 

• Address the specific tasks and capabilities articulated in the Universal Task List and 

Target Capabilities List, as they become available; 

• Comport with all applicable Federal, State, and local certification and regulatory 

requirements. 

Federal funds must be used to supplement—not supplant—existing funds that have been 

appropriated for the same purpose. Thus, if the State or Urban Area has already budgeted for 

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personnel to attend courses, SLGCP funds may only be used to send additional individuals above 

and beyond those previously budgeted. 

7. Developing and Institutionalizing Non-SLGCP Courses 

States and Urban Areas intending to either 1) develop a new course or 2) institutionalize an 

existing non-SLGCP course must follow the SLGCP course approval process, which is being

updated for FY 2005. This revised course approval process will facilitate the sharing of best

practices among States and Urban Areas and will help reduce duplication regionally and 

nationally. 

States planning to develop a new course must notify SLGCP of their intent to do so, but do not 

need to forward any pre-existing course materials for advance review. States and Urban Areas 

will be required to submit, through the training section of the ODP website 

(www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/training.htm), the proposed title, description of the course to be 

developed, the sponsoring jurisdiction, and the intended audience to SLGCP. SLGCP funds can 

be used to support the costs associated with the course development process, provided that the 

State or Urban Area abides by SLGCP procedures. However, if the course is disapproved as part 

of the course review process, no additional SLGCP funds can be dedicated to delivering the 

course. 

States or Urban Areas shall establish a mechanism to ensure that any non-SLGCP courses are in 

compliance with the following: 

• ODP Emergency Responder Guidelines 

• ODP Homeland Security Guidelines for Prevention and Deterrence 

• ODP Strategy for Blended Learning 

• 29 Code of Federal Regulation 1910.120, entitled Hazardous Waste Operations and 

Emergency Response

• 29 Code of Federal Regulation 1910.134, entitled Respiratory Protection 

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 471, Recommended Practice for 

Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents

• NFPA 472, Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents

• NFPA 473, Standard for Competencies for EMS Personnel Responding to Hazardous 

Materials Incidents

• NFPA 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity 

Programs 2004, specifically Section 5.1.2

In addition, States and Urban Areas shall follow accepted principles of instructional systems 

design, employing the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation 

(ADDIE) model or equivalent methodologies. (The ADDIE process is explained in greater depth 

in the ODP Blended Learning Strategy available on the ODP website at: 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/blendedlearning.) States and Urban Areas shall apply these 

methodologies to ensure that complete curriculum exists for training funded through SLGCP 

grant monies. Complete curriculum consists of: 

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• Level of Training: The State or Urban Area will identify the level(s) of training of the 

course(s) and materials submitted. Each submission must be identified as Awareness,

Performance–Defense (OSHA Operations), Performance–Offensive (OSHA Technician),

or Planning/Management (OSHA Incident Command) levels. More detailed descriptions 

of the levels can be found at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/training.htm or 

http://www.osha.gov

• Program of Instruction/Syllabus: The program of instruction or syllabus is an outline 

or matrix of the course content. It addresses the scope of the training, course learning 

objectives, duration of the training (broken-down by module, session, or lesson), resource 

requirements, instructor to student ratio and an evaluation strategy. These items are not

all-inclusive, but are the minimum categories that should be addressed. 

• Training Support Package: The training support package includes all of the materials

associated with the delivery of a training course. The following items should be 

included: 

o Instructor Guide/Instructor Outline/Instructor Lesson Plans: The published 

instructor material that contains course text and special instructor notes that 

provides the information to deliver the material. 

o Participant Manual/Guide/Workbook: The published student material that

contains the supporting information in booklet or handout form that the 

participant has available for reference. 

o Audio/Visual Support Materials: Any audio/visual components that are part of 

any learning module, session, lesson or that supports the overall training being 

delivered. 

o Special Support Materials: Any descriptions of practical exercises, table-top 

exercises, hands-on exercises or other material that supports learning objectives. 

• Module/Session/Lesson Content: Training courses should be designed based on a 

building block approach. Each sub-component in the course should be titled as a module, 

session, or lesson. Regardless of the title, each module, session, or lesson, should have a 

Lesson Administration Page that outlines the following: 

o Scope Statement: A brief description of the content of the module, session, or 

lesson. 

o Terminal Learning Objectives: An action verb statement that outlines what the 

participant is expected to learn or be capable of performing at the conclusion of 

the module, session, or lesson. There should be only one terminal learning 

objective per module, session, or lesson. 

o Enabling Learning Objectives: Enabling learning objectives are the incremental 

learning objectives that support the terminal learning objective. There should be 

at least one enabling learning objective per module, session, or lesson. Each 

enabling learning objective must be a measurable performance statement that 

enables the participant to demonstrate achievement of the terminal learning 

objective. 

o Resource List: A listing of the resources needed to successfully accomplish the

module, session, or lesson. 

o Instructor to Participant Ratio: The instructor to participant requirement for 

successful presentation of the material (e.g., 1:25). 

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o Reference List: A listing of all reference materials used to develop the module, 

session, or lesson. (This information may also be included as a bibliography.) 

o Practical Exercise Statement: This describes any exercises associated with the 

module, session, or lesson. 

o Evaluation Strategy: This defines the strategy used to evaluate the module, 

session, or lesson (e.g., written and/or performance test). 

8. Conditional Approvals of Non-SLGCP Courses 

In FY 2005, no conditional approvals in advance of the SLGCP course review process will be 

granted for use of SLGCP funds to develop or institutionalize non-SLGCP courses. SLGCP will 

require States and Urban Areas to adhere to a streamlined course approval process. Courses will 

either be approved or disapproved following this review process. 

Furthermore, conditional approvals granted as part of the FY 2004 process will expire on 

March 15, 2005. Subsequent to the expiration date, States and Urban Areas may not use 

SLGCP funding without final approval to support delivery of training they intend to 

institutionalize which is not developed or delivered by or for a Federal agency. However, 

deliveries of courses scheduled prior to that date will remain eligible under the conditional 

approval. States and Urban Areas should note that some courses for which they previously 

requested approval will no longer be subject to the approval process (e.g., USAR, SWAT, 

medical trauma, hazardous materials, NIMS, ICS, and Federal courses related to CBRNE 

terrorism). 

SLGCP will conduct periodic, randomized reviews of State and Urban Area training funded 

through SLGCP monies. These reviews may include requests for all course materials and 

physical observation of or participation in the funded training. If these reviews determine that 

courses are outside the scope of this guidance, grantees will be asked to repay grant funds 

expended in support of those efforts. 

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