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U.S. Government Affairs Committee
Committee Chair:
Randall C. Duncan, MPA, CEM
rduncan@sedgwick.gov
Committee Mission
Monitor proposed legislation at the federal, state and/or local level which may impact emergency management activities or the goals of the association, or may set a precedent for the future legal implications.
 FEMA Requests IAEM-USA Member Comments on Draft Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet on Eligible Sand Replacement on Public Beaches (01 July 2009) IAEM-USA has received a request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Preparedness Directorate to provide member feedback on its draft Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet DAP 9580.8, “Eligible Sand Replacement on Public Beaches.” Please provide comments to Randy Duncan, CEM, at rduncan@sedgwick.gov by 1700 CDT on Friday, July 17, 2009.
Appropriations Update: Results of Senate Appropriations Committee Action on FY 2010 Budget for U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (23 June 2009) On June 18, 2009. the full U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee marked up the budget for the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security for FY 2010. Senate floor action is expected during the week of June 22, 2009.
Results of U.S. House Appropriations Committee Action on DHS Budget for FY 2010 (17 June 2009) On June 12, the Full House Appropriations Committee marked up the budget for the Department of Homeland Security for FY 2010. On June 16, the Committee reported the bill to the Floor of the House. At this time, House Floor action is expected before the July 4th recess.
DHS Announces Allocations for FY 2009 Grant Programs (16 June 2009) Today the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security announced the allocations for a number of its Fiscal Year 2009 grant programs. FEMAs comprehensive suite of grant programs is an important part of the Administrations larger, coordinated effort to strengthen homeland security preparedness. These programs implement objectives addressed in a series of post-9/11 laws, strategy documents, plans and Homeland Security Presidential Directives (HSPDs). The following documents are posted for your convenience:
Appropriations Update: The U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security Marked Up the DHS Budget for FY 2010 on June 8, 2009 (08 June 2009) The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security marked up and ordered reported their bill on the FY 2010 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security. The bill includes $42.6 billion for the Department of Homeland Security. Of this amount, $7.4 billion is for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, $390 million more than in FY 2009 and $118 million more than the President’s request. There were no amendments offered, but amendments are expected in the Full Appropriations Committee markup.
IAEM-USA Government Affairs Committee Announces Results of its Survey on the Impact of the Economic Downturn on Local Emergency Management Offices and the Role of Emergency Management Performance Grant Program Funds (02 June 2009) On Apr. 29, the IAEM-USA Government Affairs Committee asked local government emergency managers to complete a short 16-question survey to obtain information in two areas: (1) the role of Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) funds, and (2) the impact of the economic downturn on local government emergency management programs. The information was needed to respond to specific Congressional requests. A total of 348 individuals completed the survey. We appreciate those who assisted us by responding. Two summary reports of the results are posted below. Comments can be sent to Jessica Jensen at Ja.jensen@ndsu.edu or Randy Duncan at rduncan@sedgwick.gov.
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security FY 2010 Budget Provided to Congress (12 May 2009)
FEMA Requests IAEM-USA Member Comments on Draft Preparedness Guide on Incorporating Household Pets and Service Animals Considerations into Emergency Operation Plans (12 May 2009) IAEM-USA has received a request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Preparedness Directorate to provide member feedback on its draft CPG-302, "Incorporating Household Pets and Service Animals Considerations into Emergency Operations Plans." Please provide comments on the provided Excel spreadsheet to Randy Duncan, CEM, at rduncan@sedgwick.gov by 1700 CDT on Thursday, May 28, 2009.
FEMA Intergovernmental Affairs Requests IAEM-USA Member Comments on Draft Disaster Assistance Policy on Landslides and Slope Failures Related to Public Facilities (06 May 2009) IAEM-USA has received a request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide member feedback on its
Disaster Assistance Policy (DAP) 9524.2: Landslides and Slope Failures Related to Public Facilities. Please provide comments to Randy Duncan, CEM, at rduncan@sedgwick.gov no later than May 25, 2009. Download draft DAP 9524.2.
U.S. Dept of Transportation Requests IAEM-USA Member Comments on Draft National Transportation Recovery Strategy (05 May 2009) IAEM has received a request from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation asking for comments from IAEM members on the draft the document, Recovering from Transportation Disasters: The National Transportation Recovery Strategy, as prompted by the National Infrastructure Protection Plan. This is your opportunity to provide comments on the draft using the Excel matrix. Please email your comments to Randy Duncan, CEM, at rduncan@sedgwick.gov no later than May 10, 2009. Please follow the instructions at the top of the Excel comment sheet when providing any comments.
For background, this document is intended to be multi-modal and all-hazards in scope. The primary goal of the NTRS is to assist State, tribal and local transportation authorities who are leading transportation recovery efforts following an incident by providing them with:
- Background information on incident management;
- Roles and responsibilities of at the private, local, state and Federal level;
- Recommendations on how to prepare for or manage a transportation recovery process; and
- Basic information on Federal funding programs available to assist in recovery.
IAEM-USA urges USA Local Government Emergency Managers to Complete Survey on EMPG and Impact of Economic Downturn on Local Emergency Management to Assist with Congressional Efforts (29 Apr 2009) Working together, local emergency managers have made significant progress in educating Members of Congress on the importance of building and maintaining strong emergency management programs at the local level, as well as increasing the funding for Emergency Management Performance Grants.
To continue our progress, we have to be able to show Congress what they are getting for their EMPG money and what could be accomplished with increased funding. In addition to information on EMPG, we are seeking information on the impact of the economic turndown on local emergency management programs.
IAEM-USA Government Affairs is asking that U.S. local government emergency
managers complete a short online survey HERE.
Survey results will be used to advocate for local emergency management
funding in Congress. Please take a few minutes to ensure your opinions are
included.
The survey should take no more than 15 minutes. The deadline to complete the survey has been extended to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, Thursday, May 7, 2009.
If you have any questions, please contact Martha Braddock, Randy Duncan or Dan Robeson.
For technical assistance with the survey, please contact Jessica Jensen. Thanks for your participation. Download and share this invitation other USA local government emergency managers.
IAEM-USA Supports the Nomination of Craig Fugate as FEMA Administrator (19 Mar 2009)
IAEM-USA Leadership Met with White House Officials to Present Views on Presidential Study Directive 1 (18 March 2009) On Mar. 18, 2009, IAEM Past President Larry Gispert; IAEM-USA President Russ Decker, CEM; IAEM-USA Executive Director Elizabeth Armstrong, MAM, CAE; and IAEM-USA Policy Advisor Martha Braddock met with White House representatives to present views on Presidential Study Directive 1 (PSD-1). They met with PSD-1 Co-Chairs Randy Beardsworth and Dr. Michele Malvesti, and PSD-1 Study Team member Tom Eldridge. The meeting was held in the The Eisenhower Executive Office Building, formerly known as the Old Executive Office Building, which is located next to the West Wing and houses the majority of offices for White House Staff. In the photo below, they are shown with Eldridge (center), along with leaders of the National Association of State EMS Officials.
IAEM-USA leadership met with White House Officials
on Mar. 18, 2009, to present views on PPD-1.
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On Mar. 18, 2009, IAEM Past President Larry Gispert discussed emergency management issues with Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, 17th District Florida, at his office in the Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC.
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IAEM-USA Announces its Congressional Priorities List for 2009 (09 Mar 2009)
Legislation Introduced to Establish FEMA as a Cabinet Level Independent Agency (25 Feb 2009) On Feb. 25, 2009, HR 1174, the FEMA Independence Act of 2009, was introduced by Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Original co-sponsors are the Full Committee's Ranking Member John Mica (R-FL); Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management; and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), the Subcommittee's Ranking Member.
Federal Emergency Management Advancement Act of 2009 Reintroduced to Restore FEMA to Independent Agency Status (25 Feb 2009) On Feb. 11, 2009, S. 421, the Federal Emergency Management Advancement Act of 2009, was reintroduced by Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK). The bill would restore FEMA to independent agency status. (Senator Inhofe and Sen. Clinton had introduced a "free FEMA" bill in the last Congress.).
IAEM-USA Asked to
Assist in FEMA Review of Target Capability Drafts (20 Feb 2009) The FEMA National Preparedness Directorate has requested that IAEM-USA review updated Target Capability drafts in four areas as well as an updated user guide. A feedback form is included below; please send comments to Randall C. Duncan, CEM by Mar. 13, 2009.
Note: The current Target Capabilities List (TCL) can be downloaded here.
Feb. 12 Conference Agreement on HR 1, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (13 Feb 2009) On Febr. 12, the House and Senate Conferees reached agreement on the stimulus package. The bill text, the report language, the Appropriations Committee summary, and IAEM highlights of the FEMA provisions are posted below. The provision for funding construction of Emergency Operations Centers was not included in the final agreement.
- $210 million for competitive grants for modifying, upgrading or constructing non-Federal fire stations. No grant to exceed $15,000,000
- $150 million for Public Transportation Security Assistance and Railroad Security Assistance
- $150 million for Port Security Grants
- Provisions on Disaster Assistance Direct Loan Program Account
- Notwithstanding section 417(b) of Stafford Act, loans issued in calendar year 2008 may exceed $5 million and may be equal to not more than 50 percent of annual operating budget of the local government if local government has suffered a loss of 25% or more in tax revenue.
- $100 million for Emergency Food and Shelter Program
- General Provision creating arbitration panel. The President shall establish an arbitration panel under FEMA public assistance program to expedite recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita within Gulf Coast Region. The arbitration panel shall have sufficient authority regarding the award or denial of disputed public assistance applications for covered hurricane damage under section 403, 406, or 407 of Stafford Act for a project the total amount of which is more than $500,000.
- General Provision on Hazard mitigation program . FEMA may not prohibit or restrict use of funds designated under hazard mitigation grant program for damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita if homeowner who is an applicant for assistance began work otherwise eligible under 404 without approval in writing from the Administrator.
- General provision. Includes a provision waiving the cost-share under section 34 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 for FY 2009 and 2010.
IAEM-USA Members Asked by FEMA to Review the Draft Disaster Assistance Policy on Debris Removal from Waterways (10 Feb 2009) The IAEM-USA Government Affairs Committee seeks IAEM-USA member input on the draft FEMA Disaster Assistance Policy 9523.5, Debris Removal from Waterways (download draft). This policy provides guidance for determining the eligibility of debris removal from commonly navigated waterways under the Public Assistance Program. Please provide comments by Mar. 6, 2009, to Randall C. Duncan, CEM.
IAEM-USA Members Asked by FEMA to Review the Draft Public Assistance Applicant Handbook (05 Feb 2009) The IAEM-USA Government Affairs Committee seeks IAEM-USA member input on the draft FEMA Public Assistance Applicant Handbook 323 (download draft). When you submit comments, they should be specific, direct, and targeted, although there is still room for "global comments" regarding the entire approach being taken by a document. Comments should include your name, title, organization, mailing address, e-mail address, and business phone. Please provide comments by Feb. 24, 2009, to Randall C. Duncan, CEM.
FEMA 2009 Presidential Transition Binder Now Available (26 Jan 2009)The FEMA 2009 Presidential Transition Binder was prepared by FEMA during 2008 to present to the new Administration. This 238-page document includes six sections and an appendix: (1) FEMA Introduction; (2) FEMA Organization; (3) FEMA Regions; (4) Budget and Resource Management; (5) State of FEMA: People, Locations, Systems; (6) External Coordination (IAEM on p. 216) ; and Appendix. download document
FEMA's Federal Preparedness Report Submitted to Congress (26 Jan 2009) From the Executive summary: "The Federal Preparedness Report (FPR) provides a snapshot of the state of
preparedness in the United States at the end of Fiscal Year 2007. This
Report is the first comprehensive review of the combined preparedness
efforts of Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial homeland security
partners over the past five years. As directed by Section 652(a) of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA), Public Law
109-295 —the goal of this Report is to provide a review of national
preparedness." download report
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