Applicants are provided annual Cooperative Agreement guidance. FEMA's Office of Financial Management has developed a set of instructions on applying for grants under this program. Each Fiscal Year, FEMA provides the State a planning estimate of funding for all grant programs in the next fiscal year based on the level of funding being requested in the President's budget. FEMA Regional personnel work directly with the States on the development of their applications. The FEMA Regions notify the States of their allocations, any necessary adjustment to the program narratives are agreed upon, and award documents are prepared and signed by officials of the State and the FEMA Region.
States notify local participants of the amounts of their grants.
Preliminary budget decision advisory letters are distributed before September 30. Actual awards are based on Congressional passage and Presidential approval of the Fiscal Year Appropriations Acts. A new application is required for each Federal fiscal year. Installed operational siren systems, completed demographic surveys of immediate response zones, improved emergency operating centers, procured dedicated radio and phone systems, developed training courses and trained over 13,000 people, enhanced and conducted exercises, expanded public education and public affairs outreach programs, and updated site emergency plans and operating procedures at all sites. All available, relevant guidance is routinely provided to all eligible State participants.