'Grant purgatory' is a growing risk to crisis response, and the government shutdown isn't helping, state emergency officials say | Fortune

"State officials on the front lines of preparing for natural disasters and responding to emergencies say severe cuts to federal security grants, restrictions on money intended for readiness and funding delays tied to litigation are posing a growing risk to their ability to respond to crises. It's all causing confusion, frustration and concern. The federal government shutdown isn't helping. "Every day we remain in this grant purgatory reduces the time available to responsibly and effectively spend these critical funds," said Kiele Amundson, communications director at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency."

"The uncertainty has led some emergency management agencies to hold off on filling vacant positions and make rushed decisions on important training and purchases. Experts say the developments complicate state-led emergency efforts, undermining the Republican administration's stated goals of shifting more responsibility to states and local governments for disaster response. In an emailed statement, the Department of Homeland Security said the new requirements were necessary because of "recent population shifts" and that changes to security grants were made "to be responsive to new and urgent threats facing our nation.""

Severe cuts to federal security grants, new restrictions on readiness funding and litigation-related delays are reducing resources for state, tribal and territorial emergency preparedness. The federal government shutdown is exacerbating timing and planning problems. Officials report confusion, frustration and concern, and some emergency management agencies are delaying hires and making rushed training and procurement decisions. Grants finance salaries, training, vehicles, communications equipment and software that support responses to climate disasters, pandemics and cyberattacks. FEMA allocated a $320 million Emergency Management Performance Grant and then put the funds on hold pending updated population counts. DHS said new requirements respond to population shifts and emerging threats.

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