State crisis managers report that severe cuts to federal security grants, combined with restrictions on preparedness funding and delays tied to litigation, are increasingly jeopardizing their capacity to respond to emergencies effectively.
Amid ongoing confusion and frustration, the federal government shutdown has further complicated the issue.
Every day we remain in this grant purgatory reduces the time available to responsibly and effectively spend these critical funds, stated Kiele Amundson, communications director at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.
This uncertainty has prompted emergency management agencies to delay filling vacant positions and make hasty decisions regarding training and necessary purchases.
Experts warn that these challenges undermine the Republican administration’s objective of transferring more disaster response responsibilities to state and local governments.
In an email, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) explained that the new funding requirements were established in response to recent population shifts and to address new and urgent national security threats.
Emerging Challenges from Immigration Policy
Key DHS and FEMA grants are vital for states, tribes, and territories to prepare for climate-related disasters and various threats, with funding allocated for salaries, training, vehicles, and communication systems. Emergency managers express increased concern about these funds, particularly as they prepare for an expanding range of threats, including pandemics and cyberattacks.
A $320 million Emergency Management Performance Grant was allocated to states on September 29, but FEMA subsequently imposed a hold until states submitted new population figures, excluding individuals removed from the State pursuant to immigration laws. This requirement is unprecedented in emergency management.
Trina Sheets, executive director of the National Emergency Management Association, highlighted the challenges of meeting these new conditions, noting that calculating population numbers is not the responsibility of emergency management agencies.
Without guidance from FEMA, emergency managers in Hawaii have resorted to using outdated census data and estimates from advocacy groups to comply. However, the lack of communication during the federal shutdown leaves them uncertain about whether their submissions will be acceptable.
DHS contended that ensuring accurate population data is crucial before disbursing state funding, thereby spotlighting the risks that these delays pose for local governments reliant on state grants.
The timeframe for utilizing these grants has also been reduced from three years to one year, limiting opportunities for longer-term projects.
Bryan Koon, a former Florida emergency management chief, remarked that interruptions in services could endanger lives as local agencies adjust budgets.
Litigation Leads to Funding Uncertainty
FEMA made significant cuts to several states' allocations from the $1 billion Homeland Security Grant Program last month, with states like New York experiencing a 79% reduction in expected funding. Meanwhile, certain territories received unexpectedly high allocations, highlighting inconsistencies in the risk-based funding methodology.
A federal judge's temporary restraining order has put FEMA's award notifications and payment processes on hold until further court decisions are made, underscoring the political volatility surrounding grants.
In Hawaii, the impact of funding freezes is palpable, especially following the devastating 2023 wildfire in Lahaina that claimed over 100 lives. Officials fear ongoing grant delays may result in contractor payment issues and staff layoffs.
Some emergency management divisions, including in Washington state, have paused hiring processes to mitigate risk amid these uncertainties.
Shifting Dynamics in Emergency Management
Experts contend these developments create a climate of unpredictability for emergency management leadership. The Trump administration previously suspended a $3.6 billion FEMA disaster resilience program, further complicating state preparedness efforts.
Ongoing litigation also shapes funding policies, as a recent federal court ruling ordered DHS to cease imposing grant conditions linked to immigration enforcement after deeming them unlawful.
The resulting turmoil has led some states to reconsider their reliance on federal funding in light of the ongoing uncertainties, aiming to establish more sustainable emergency preparedness frameworks.
