Based on Governor Douglas’s recommendation and State Legislature approval, the Homeland Security Unit (HSU) was established within the Department of Public Safety in July 2002. The primary mission of the HSU is to provide coordination and support to all local and state response organizations to ensure that the state is adequately prepared for a terrorist incident. The HSU coordinates Homeland Security Grants to provide funding for anti-terrorist preparedness efforts in the areas of planning, organization, equipment, training and exercises with the understanding that these funding efforts may have dual use purposes in response to other emergencies.