Emergency Preparedness Hampered by Federal Grant Issues
State officials responsible for getting ready for and dealing with natural disasters and other emergencies are saying that cuts to federal security money, rules on how money for readiness can be used, and delays because of lawsuits are making it harder to do their jobs.
This is causing confusion and worry.
Kiele Amundson, from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, said that every day these grant issues continue, they have less time to use the money wisely and well.
Because of this uncertainty, some emergency agencies are waiting to fill open jobs and are making quick decisions about training and equipment.
Experts believe these problems make it harder for states to handle emergencies, which goes against the goal of giving states and local governments more responsibility for disaster response.
The Department of Homeland Security said the new rules are needed because of changes in where people live and to deal with new threats to the country.
FEMA, which is part of DHS, gave out $320 million to states for emergency management on Sept. 29. But the next day, states were told the money was on hold until they gave new population numbers, not counting people who have been deported.
The amount of money states get is based on U.S. census numbers. Trina Sheets, from the National Emergency Management Association, said it’s unusual to ask states to change population numbers.
Hawaii had to use data from the 2020 census and other sources to estimate the number of “noncitizens.”
It’s not clear if this method will be accepted.
DHS said FEMA needs to be sure about funding levels before giving out grant money, including changes to a state’s population because of deportations.
Experts say these delays could hurt local governments and agencies the most because they have smaller budgets and staffs. Also, FEMA has shortened the time to use the money from three years to one, which could stop agencies from doing longer projects.
Bryan Koon, a consultant and former Florida emergency management chief, said governments need time to adjust their budgets to changes.
In another issue, FEMA cut some states’ money from the Homeland Security Grant Program in September. This program is meant to be based on risk, and states give most of the money to police and fire departments.
Some states got less money than expected, while others got more.
The National Emergency Management Association said it’s not clear how the new funding was decided.
After some states sued, a judge stopped the changes temporarily. This forced FEMA to take back the award notices and stop payments until the court makes another decision.
Frank Pace, from the Hawaii Office of Homeland Security, said this shows how uncertain the grants are. Hawaii got more money than expected but thinks it might be taken away because of the lawsuit.
In Hawaii, where a 2023 wildfire caused a lot of damage, the state, counties, and nonprofits might have trouble paying contractors, finishing projects, and even keeping staff if the grant freeze and government shutdown continue.
The problems have caused Washington state to stop filling some job openings as a precaution.
Experts say these changes have created uncertainty for those in charge of emergency preparedness.
The government has also stopped a $3.6 billion FEMA disaster program, cut the FEMA workforce, and stopped some training.
Other lawsuits are also making decisions harder.
Because of all these issues, some states are getting ready for a different relationship with FEMA.
Sheets, from the National Emergency Management Association, said states are trying to find ways to depend less on federal funding.
