FEMA Rules Change Could Leave Local Governments in a Lurch

After 2001, the newly formed Department of Homeland Security turned its eye to ensuring local governments were prepared for emergencies. Both through the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency, billions of dollars in grants were made available to local governments. Many of these grants were used to buy equipment for first responders. Grant money also trained first responders on the equipment and to upkeep the equipment. FEMA is changing its rules. FEMA's new rules change could leave local governments in a lurch.

The purpose of many of these grants were to purchase equipment and training that the local government could not otherwise afford. It allowed law enforcement officers to purchase and carry protection against potential chemical attacks. This equipment could also be used to protect against any hazardous materials situation. The grants also trained officers on the equipment's use.

Any piece of equipment is only as good as its maintenance. Just as a kitchen knife left unattended may become dull and rusty, emergency response equipment must also be maintained. Equipment also wears out and must be replaced. These maintenance cycles can cost a large amount of money, especially for local governments that could not afford it in the first place. FEMA's grants allowed money for these maintenance cycles.

FEMA has decided to change the rules for these grants. FEMA has decided to rescind the ability to pay for upkeep. This will allow grant recipients to purchase new equipment; however, money will not be available to upkeep the equipment. This leaves local governments on the hook to pay for a multitude of equipment. KYPost.com describes the amount of equipment affected by, "Everything from radiation detectors to armored transports need maintenance, says Ed Dadosky, Cincinnati District Fire Chief."

Most Americans will not understand the true depth of these changes. In the United States an average of 80% of all firefighters are volunteers. This does not include the reserve police officers and deputy sheriffs. As a volunteer firefighter, I carry many pieces of equipment with me. This equipment includes bunker pants, suspenders, bunker coats, liners, hood, gloves, and helmet. This is just a few of the pieces of equipment that I keep in my car. It takes over $2,000 to outfit one volunteer firefighter.

Volunteer firefighters do not respond for the accolades. They respond because of their love of helping people and being a firefighter. Many people believe that they respond because they cannot get hired by a paid fire department. This is not always the case. Some have a family to care for and do not have the time to go to an 18 month Paramedic school, which is a prerequisite for many paid fire departments. Should not outfitting and maintaining equipment for these dedicated responders be an important part of FEMA's mission? FEMA's law changes could potentially hinder this part of their mission.

References
FEMA Rule Change Has Safety Officials Fuming. November 2009. KYPost.com. Retrieved on November 10, 2009 from http://www.kypost.com/content/wcposhared/story/FEMA-Rule-Change-Has-Safety-Officials-Fuming/lL-NjZYhREWKy7YHWUf4LQ.cspx