FEMA seeks input on first responder grants program

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is seeking feedback on a grants program that could provide state and local governments with $3.5 billion next year to help them prepare for terrorist attacks.

FEMA would like public input on topics ranging from the criteria used to assess how much money a community should receive to which jurisdictions have already created volunteer groups to assist first responders in the event of a terrorist attack, according to a notice published April 16 in the Federal Register.

Earlier this month, FEMA's Office of National Preparedness held a "listening session" with more than 50 representatives of the state and local emergency response community, including firefighters, law enforcement officials and emergency medical personnel. The group focused on eligibility standards for the grants, including a definition of "first responder," to decide how much money to allocate to communities.

President Bush's fiscal 2003 budget requests $3.5 billion from Congress for state and local emergency responders to pay for training and equipment that will help them handle the aftermath of a terrorist attack. Although Congress has not yet approved the money for such a grants program, FEMA is soliciting comments from the public and holding meetings with representatives from the state and local emergency management agencies. The agency's Office of National Preparedness, created by Bush in May 2001, is responsible for implementing the first responder initiative and coordinating the money, which will go to 36,000 local jurisdictions.

FEMA is also seeking recommendations on ways that state and local governments can collaborate and create joint emergency response plans. The agency now operates a national training center in New Mexico for first responders--firefighters, police officers, ambulance crews, doctors and other local emergency officials--but only a limited number of emergency crews have been able to attend these seminars. The center has not set a national strategy for first responders, nor does it follow up on groups that have gone through its program, according to officials who testified at a March hearing before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Procurement.

Earlier this month, Attorney General John Ashcroft announced $17 million in grants to improve domestic preparedness and security at nine sites across the country. The money, administered through two Justice Department programs, will be used to buy equipment and provide training to state and local fire, police and emergency personnel.

The deadline for comments on FEMA's grants program for first responders is May 16, 2002.

Send written comments to:

Rules Docket Clerk, Office of General Counsel
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Room 840
500 C Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20472
Fax: 202-646-4536
E-mail: rules@fema.gov