Why It Matters
Federal emergency communications grants run through five departments, and many preparedness grants list interoperable communications equipment as an allowable expense, according to a new Congressional Research Service (CRS) report.
The report's table of funding opportunities is current as of Oct. 28, and its notes say the listed notices of funding opportunity (NOFOs) have closed. Congressional offices fielding requests from local agencies therefore have program descriptions and eligibility rules in hand, but the listed application windows are shut.
The Big Picture
The report covers programs at the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Justice and Transportation, plus resources from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
FEMA funds some grants by formula, so every state and territory receives money. Others are competitive. Some go to states, which then pass money to local sub-recipients, while others let tribal or local entities apply directly.
Under the Homeland Security Grant Program, states must pass through at least 80% of funds to tribal or local entities in two of its three component programs. Assistance to Firefighters Grants can cover purchase of radios, headsets and mobile data terminals for local fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations.
Agriculture's programs are typically limited to rural applicants. Its Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees can fund 911 and emergency communications services in rural areas.
At the Commerce Department, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) "does not currently administer any public-safety-specific grant programs." It previously ran the $1 billion Public Safety Interoperable Communications grant.
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), which Commerce oversees through NTIA, has no affiliated grants. Revenue from subscriber fees is reinvested into the network.
Justice and Transportation programs list communications-related costs, among them radios for tribal law enforcement and emergency communications under Safe Streets and Roads for All.
The Bottom Line
NTIA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration removed regulations for the 911 Grant Program in a Federal Register rule dated Oct. 6. The rule says the program was no longer active and had received no new appropriations to revive or extend it.
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