LaSalle County emergency management warns federal reimbursements paused; seeks apron fill, interns and regional recovery partners

Fred, the county’s emergency management director, told the LaSalle County Public Safety Committee that federal grant reimbursements routed through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency remain on hold, even though the county must continue filing quarterly reports.

The county should continue submitting required reports so that when funds are released the state can process reimbursements promptly, Fred said. “They are not issuing the reimbursements at this time, but it's anticipated that they will start that up in the near future,” he said.

Fred said the radiological grant — funded by fees that Constellation pays to the State of Illinois — is separate and is not affected by the federal reimbursement pause. He described the federal grants at issue as “federal pass through” grants administered by the state.

Why it matters: the paused reimbursements affect operating budgets for emergency services. Fred told the committee the current withheld grant is “right around” $30,000–$35,000 and that the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) he applies for annually is roughly $33,000 (figures discussed in the meeting were approximate and variously reported as “about $35,000,” “33,000” and “305”; the exact awarded or withheld amounts were not specified in the transcript). He said the EMPG historically covers a portion of agency operating costs.

Federal programs and disaster response also drew discussion. Fred said there is uncertainty about proposals in national discussion to restructure or reduce FEMA’s role and urged the committee to continue operating on the assumption the county will continue to seek federal aid when available. “FEMA is not there to make you whole. FEMA is there to fill in the gaps,” he said, describing how federal disaster assistance typically follows an SBA application and how FEMA assistance is intended to supplement insurance and other aid.

Facility and equipment items: Fred asked committee permission to pursue an extension of the back apron at the emergency management building, where garage doors currently lack sufficient setback for vehicles and trailers. He said County Highway Engineer Don Ernet offered clean fill the highway department must dispose of and that the highway crew would grade the material, leaving only later surfacing (blacktop) as a potential added cost. Fred described a phased approach: place fill and allow it to settle, then budget later to pave the hard surface. “Costs involved could be budgeted for because that has to sit there and settle,” he said.

Interns and staffing: Fred said he had been contacted by a prospective unpaid intern and requested committee support to pursue an educational, non-paid internship subject to HR policy. “It would not be a paid position, it would be a strictly an educational position for the intern,” he said. Committee members advised Fred to work with the student’s internship coordinator and HR; one committee member said HR already has a policy and procedures for such internships.

Regional recovery planning: Fred described efforts to form a joint Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) across LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties to serve as a recovery committee acceptable to the State of Illinois. He said the multi-county approach aims to pool volunteer and organizational resources and voiced concerns about how shared funds would be allocated among counties. “I’m pushing for individual fiduciaries for each county,” Fred said, noting the practical concern that flood recovery needs move downriver.

Training and grant uncertainty: Fred reported some federal training centers had paused classes but said the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) had begun to resume sessions and that state training options remain available. He said other training providers (for example, TEEX from Texas A&M) were still delivering courses. The broader funding pause affected several training providers, he said.

Committee response and direction: Committee members voiced no objection to Fred consulting with the highway department about fill for the apron, and they supported his plan to pursue internships and to apply for grants when application windows open. The committee voted to approve Fred’s report and to pay the EMA bills during the meeting (see “Votes at a glance”).

Ending: Fred said he will be absent from the next meeting and wanted the committee aware he intends to submit grant applications if short-notice opportunities arise, adding that he typically receives only days’ notice to apply for some grants.