FEMA to grant CNMI $38K to enhance emergency response

The Northern Mariana Islands has been allocated about $38,400 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fund and improve the islands’ emergency communications capabilities.

The amount is part of the $48 million under the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program that the Department of Homeland Security approved for release yesterday to benefit States, territories, local units of government, and tribal communities.

States and territories may apply for these funds through their State Administrative Agency by visiting www.grants.gov.

The priorities for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 funding focus on the establishment of formal interoperable emergency communications governance structures and common planning and operational protocols, as well as the enhancement of emergency responder skills and capabilities through training and exercises.

The DHS Office of Emergency Communications and FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate jointly developed the grant guidance for IECGP.

For FY 2008, the program will fund four key areas: planning, training, exercise, and personnel (including management and administrative costs).

All activities proposed under IECGP must be integral to interoperable emergency communications and aligned with the goals and initiatives identified in the grantee’s approved Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan, as well as aligned with the goals of the National Emergency Communications Plan.

The IECGP funds will be allocated based on the “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007”: all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will receive a minimum allocation of 0.50 percent of the total funds allocated.

Further, four territories—American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—will receive a minimum allocation of 0.08 percent of the total funds allocated, which is about $38,400.

FEMA expects to award funds by the end of September 2008 and grantees are not required to provide a cash or in-kind match for these awards.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror. [B][I](Saipan Tribune)[/I][/B]