U.S. Department of Homeland Security 
Washington, DC 20528 


Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Interoperable Emergency Communications 
Grant Program (IECGP) 
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 


1. What is the purpose of the FY 2009 IECGP? 
The purpose of the FY 2009 IECGP is to improve interoperable emergency communications 
capabilities across states, territories, local and tribal governments and support the 
implementation of the Statewide Communication Interoperability Plans (SCIP). All 
activities proposed under IECGP must be integral to interoperable emergency 
communications and must be aligned with the goals, objectives and initiatives identified in 
the approved SCIPs. IECGP will also advance Department of Homeland Security near-term 
priorities that are deemed critical to improving interoperable emergency communications and 
are consistent with the goals and objectives of the National Emergency Communications Plan 
(NECP). 

2. How much funding was available under the FY 2009 IECGP? 
The total amount of funds distributed under the FY 2009 IECGP is $48,575,000. 

3. What are the priorities for the FY 2009 IECGP? 
For FY 2009, two priority groups have been identified that are deemed critical for advancing 
interoperable emergency communications in alignment with the criteria established for the 
SCIP process: 1) Gaps in Leadership and Governance and Common Operational Planning 
and Protocols; 2) Emergency Responder Skills and Capabilities Development Through 
Training and Exercises. If a State Administrative Agency (SAA) certifies that its state or 
territory has fulfilled all of the objectives of Priority Groups 1 and 2, the program provides 
the flexibility to purchase interoperable communications equipment with any remaining 
IECGP funds. 

4. Who was eligible to apply for FY 2009 IECGP funds? 
Eligible applicants under the FY 2009 IECGP were the SAAs of the 56 states and territories. 
To find the SAA for your state, please link to the following website: 
http://www.dhs.gov/xgovt/grants/index.shtm. Local agencies cannot apply for or receive 
grant funds directly; however, local agencies can apply through and receive funding from the 
SAA through the pass-through process. 

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5. 
How were the FY 2009 IECGP awards determined? 
The allocation methodology for IECGP is determined by the legislation that created the grant 
program. Per the “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007,” 
all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico will receive a 
minimum of 0.50 percent of the total funds allocated. Four territories (American Samoa, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands) will 
receive a minimum allocation of 0.08 percent of the total funds allocated. The remainder of 
the funds will be based upon a risk methodology. This formula is the product of three 
variables: threat, vulnerability and consequence. Vulnerability and consequence variables 
are an all-hazards construction in that they account for the relative severity of the effects of a 
disaster, regardless of the type of disaster considered. These variables also incorporate such 
factors as the population of an area, its economic output, the presence of nationally critical 
infrastructure and national security concerns. The threat variable is based exclusively on 
terrorism threats. 

6. 
What legislation authorized funding for the FY 2009 IECGP? 
The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009 
(Public Law 110-329) provided funding for this program. 

7. 
Where is the FY 2009 IECGP Guidance and Application Kit located? 
The FY 2009 IECGP Guidance and Application Kit is located online at 
http://www.fema.gov/grants as well as on www.grants.gov. 


8. 
What other resources are available to address programmatic, technical and financial 
questions? 
. 
For additional program-specific information, please contact the Centralized 
Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID) help line at (800) 368-6498 or 
askcsid@dhs.gov. CSID hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, 
Monday through Friday. 

. 
For financial-related questions, including pre-and post-award administration and 
technical assistance, please contact the FEMA Call Center at (866) 927-5646 or via 
e-mail to ASK-GMD@dhs.gov. 

9. 
What is the FY 2009 IECGP period of performance? 
The period of performance of this grant program is 24 months. Extensions to the period of 
performance will be considered only through formal requests to FEMA with specific and 
compelling justification why an extension is required. 

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