The first responders of this nation put themselves on the line every day to protect and help our communities.  The Department of Homeland Security is committed to helping first responders nation-wide

• by ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared, equipped and trained for any situation, and
• by bringing together information and resources to prepare for and respond to a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency.

More information about First Responders >>

Below are links to grants, training and exercises, information sharing tools, and Department of Homeland Security standards and guidelines.  Many of the resources listed here are for specific audiences. Follow instructions on the linked page to find out if you have access to this resource.

Grants

• Homeland Security Grants
• Assistance to Firefighters Grants For fire departments'  firefighting and emergency response needs
• Office of Grants and Training oversees the distribution of Homeland Security grants

Training & Exercises

• ODP Training and National Domestic Preparedness Consortium Direct training for state and local jurisdictions to enhance capacity and preparedness
• The National Center for State and Local Law Enforcement Training Up-to-date, low or no cost training opportunities for state and local law enforcement officers
• Compendium of Federal Terrorism Training For State and Local Audiences   Searchable on-line database for terrorism training information
• Emergency Education Network First responder information programming schedule
• The National Fire Academy Training and educational opportunities for members of the fire, emergency services and allied professionals
• Noble Training Center Hospital-based medical training in disaster preparedness and response
• The Emergency Management Institute Training to ensure the effectiveness of organizations and individuals working together in disasters and emergencies
• National Incident Management System Integration Center Information, guidance and resources to assist state, local, tribal and federal agencies in adopting and implementing the National Incident Management System.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) Online Training  Introduction to the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of NIMS.
• Comprehensive Haz-Mat Emergency Response Capability Assessment Program (CHER-CAP)  Resource to prepare for hazardous materials incidents
• Emergency Management Exercise Reporting System System to help emergency managers track and access exercises
• National Exercise Program Training, exercising, and collaboration among partners at all levels. 
• Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program Threat- and performance-based exercise activities of varying degrees of complexity and interaction
• Lessons Learned Information Sharing Best practices and lessons learned from actual terrorist events and training exercises
• U.S. Fire Administration Publications Free publications for emergency responders including manuals, reports & incident reports

Equipment

• Responder Knowledge Base Created to provide emergency responders, purchasers, and planners with a trusted, integrated, on-line source of information on products, standards, certifications, grants, and other equipment-related information. 

Information Sharing Tools

• State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Directory
• Homeland Security Information Network  DHS computer-based counterterrorism communications network
• DisasterHelp.gov A consolidated Web source of disaster-related information and services
• National Fire Department Census Data
• Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders (WISER) Provides a wide range of information on hazardous substances encountered in hazardous material incidents.

DHS Standards & Guidelines

• Equipment standards Guidelines adopted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate
• Interagency Board for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability (IAB) An intra-agency group which develops the Standardized Equipment List (SEL) used by DHS Office for Domestic Preparedness
• National Incident Management System (NIMS)  Standardized incident management processes, protocols, and procedures  to coordinate and conduct response actions
• ODP Emergency Responder Guidelines A baseline understanding to improve training and effectively respond to an act of terrorism
• The National Response Plan establishes a comprehensive all-hazards approach to enhance the ability of the United States to manage domestic incidents.

More on DHS.gov

• Office of Grants and Training
• State Homeland Security Directors
• Threats and Protection
• Research and Technology
• Fact Sheet: RapidCom 9/30 and Interoperability Progress

Resources for Citizens and Communities

• Ready.gov Citizen preparedness resources
• Threats and Protection: Home and Community
• Volunteering
• Protected Critical Infrastructure Information (PCII)
• Metropolitan Medical Response System Program to develop or enhance existing emergency preparedness systems

Did you find what you were looking for?  Please let us know at  frfeedback@dhs.gov