Iowa emergency managers fear proposed federal cuts to FEMA will trickle down to the state level
The potential loss of federal grant funding for Homeland Security projects is causing significant uncertainty for emergency management departments in Iowa.
Polk County Emergency Management Department Deputy Director Dutch Geisinger shared concerns about whether the grants that have long flowed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will continue.
“A lot of unknowns right now,” Geisinger said.
He emphasized the lack of clarity from the federal government about future funding allocation and timing.
Geisinger noted that layoffs among FEMA personnel have occurred earlier than anticipated.
“The layoffs have come sooner than I think a lot of people expected. The funding cuts, we really don't know where they are at right now,” Geisinger said.
These cuts directly impact the counties’ ability to plan and prepare for large-scale disasters, leaving officials in limbo as they await further direction from FEMA and federal authorities.
The Story County Emergency Management Department is equally concerned.
Emergency Management Coordinator Melissa Spencer underscored the critical role grant funding plays in preparedness efforts, particularly training and exercises designed to identify vulnerabilities.
“By conducting planning activities, training, and exercises, that’s how we really identify where we are lacking and what we need to improve upon," Spencer said.
Beyond funding, both counties are focused on how potential changes could affect partnerships and collaboration with FEMA and other agencies.
“Iowa Homeland Security has done a really good job working with us,” Spencer said.
However, there remains uncertainty about how these partnerships will evolve and continue to meet the needs of local counties and the state of Iowa as a whole, should federal support diminish.
Officials in Iowa stress the importance of maintaining strong partnerships and continuity of federal support to safeguard the state’s ability to effectively respond to emergencies and disasters.
»
» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: |