Anniston Star
November 22, 2002

FEMA to continue dispensing readiness funds

By Jason Landers
Star Staff Writer

PORTLAND, Ore.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has withdrawn a proposal that would have diminished its role in preparing communities for chemical weapons emergencies.

FEMA announced the decision last week during the early stages of a meeting in Washington, D.C., with state and local officials who participate in the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program, or CSEPP.

FEMA will retain control of dispensing federal money to the communities involved in the program, a job it had proposed giving to the Army.

Officials representing the sites voiced strong opposition to the proposed changes, though some - particularly those here in Alabama and Calhoun County - have expressed frustration with what they argue is a disjointed process that begs for streamlining. Specifically, Calhoun County blames what its officials perceive as bureaucratic red tape for delays in funding for making area schools airtight and equipping emergency responders.

"We'd hope they would eliminate some of the delay and tardiness in funding," said Mike Burney, director of the county Emergency Management Agency.

According to Burney, the reason for not shifting responsibility came, in part, because FEMA might be repositioned under the new Department of Homeland Security.

"FEMA (officials) do not know where they'll land under Homeland Security," said Burney, adding that a change now could take months to hammer out.

"Everyone felt like we've worked this process for eleven years and didn't think this was a good time to change," he said, elaborating on the consensus formed at the Washington meeting. "We couldn't afford the delay in developing a new way.

"We'd as soon continue receiving the money under the current system," he said. "Currently, it's the least of three evils," referring to the options of having funding sent directly to local governments, directly to state governments or through FEMA.

Burney didn't rule out a shift in FEMA's role under CSEPP once the Department of Homeland Security is established.

"They (FEMA) had not fully thought it out," said David Holm, the Colorado deputy director of Office of Emergency Management for CSEPP. He hinted that the proposed change had been thrust on the communities and said FEMA indicated in the meeting that state and local officials would have more involvement in any future proposed changes.

Attempts to reach FEMA officials for comment were unsuccessful.