Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—The Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee (HSOC) is accepting applications for a second grant round for FY2014 as additional funds became available.

Region I anticipates having an additional $16,000 to assist in funding homeland security projects in the region, which includes Crawford, Dent, Laclede, Maries, Phelps and Pulaski counties.

Agencies that applied and did not receive funding during the grant round this summer are encouraged to re-apply, but they must re-submit the application.

Applications must be submitted online at https://dpsgrants.dps.mo.gov, and the application deadline is Feb. 27 at 5 p.m.

Questions may be directed to Lyle Thomas at 573-265-2993 or lthomas@meramecregion.org.

Three counties in the Meramec Region—Gasconade, Osage and Washington—are served through other regions. Gasconade and Osage counties are a part of Region F, which is being coordinated by the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission at Ashland while Washington County is a part of the Region C, which is coordinated by the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission at Warrenton.

In 2006, in an effort to maximize the return on investments of future homeland security grants in Missouri, then Gov. Matt Blunt authorized the State Homeland Security Advisory Council and the State Emergency Management Agency to organize emergency response agencies, local governments, volunteer groups and utilities through regional planning commissions and empower them to provide input into how homeland security dollars will be spent.  Based on Highway Patrol Troop Area geographic boundaries, nine Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committees were created across the state to assist with this process. As one body, these regional committees will make recommendations to the Homeland Security Advisory Council for program and equipment priorities.

Ron Smith of City of Rolla Fire and Rescue serves as chair of the Region I HSOC. Tabitha Stanfast, Salem Hospital Emergency Medical Services Director, serves as vice chair. MRPC acts as the group’s administrative entity and fiscal agent.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 22, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.