National Association of Regional Councils

Sub Navigation

Recently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grants Program Directorate announced a change to the interpretation of federal policy regarding the use of preparedness grant funds to sustain homeland security investments. According to the FEMA policy change, “grantees may use FEMA preparedness grant funding to pay for maintenance agreements, user fees, and other sustainment costs” as long as the cost of the materials purchased “fall within the performance period of the grant that was used to purchase the equipment.” This prevents grantees from using any future year preparedness grant funding to pay for additional agreements and user fees. This change would jeopardize vital local and regional planning, equipment expenses and projects that protect communities.

NARC recommended this policy be amended to reflect original Congressional intent, which encourages both the development and sustainment of regional capabilities to prevent, respond to and recover from natural and manmade disasters. NARC's recommendation would allow for flexibility in the use of homeland security grant funding for sustainment of capabilities, including the cost of user fees, equipment maintenance and ongoing training and exercise activities, no matter the original purchase timeframe or grant year. Click HERE to read NARC's letter sent to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano. Click HERE to read the "Big 7" local government associations letter. House and Senate Committees are taking separate, but coordinated action on the FEMA grants policy change.

The House Homeland Security Committee approved on Tuesday, November 17 an amended version of HR 3837 that addresses FEMA’s recent decision to no longer allow states and local governments to use the State Homeland Security Grant Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative funding for maintenance costs for equipment purchased in prior fiscal years. Senators Leahy (D-VT) and Voinovich (R-OH) released a companion bill on Wednesday, November 18; the text of that bill is not yet available.