The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in June announced the availability of $48 million in grant money to improve interoperable emergency communications capabilities across states, territories, local governments, and tribal areas.
States and territories can apply for the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP) funds through their State Administrative Agency.
Grants awarded this fiscal year will provide funding that focuses on establishing formal governance for interoperable emergency communications and common planning and operation protocols, as well as enhancing emergency responder skills through training and exercises.
All 50 states; Washington, D.C.; and Puerto Rico will receive a minimum allocation of 0.50 percent of the total allocated funds. American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will receive a minimum allocation of 0.08 percent.
FEMA expects to award funds by September 2008.
For more information on IECGP, please visit FEMA grant page.
Jolie Breeden is the lead editor and science communicator for Natural Hazards Center publications. She writes and edits for Research Counts; the Quick Response, Mitigation Matters, Public Health, and Weather Ready Research Award report series; as well as for special projects and publications. Breeden graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.