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Spokane County emergency management warns of major shortfall after federal grants frozen
Summary
County emergency management leaders told commissioners they face immediate staffing and program risks after the federal government froze 2025 EMPG and SHSP funds and the City of Spokane ended its contract for shared services.
Chandra, an emergency management staff member for Spokane County, told the Board of County Commissioners on July 21 that the county faces an immediate budget shortfall after the Department of Homeland Security did not disperse 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) and State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) funds.
The county’s emergency program provides preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation services under Washington law; staff warned that losing federal grant revenue and a municipal contract creates gaps the county will struggle to cover without cuts or new local funding.
Why it matters: The county’s emergency management program is responsible for statutorily required functions under Washington law and for coordinating countywide response and recovery. Emergency managers said their programs are heavily dependent on federal grant funds and on the city’s previous contract contribution; with the city no longer paying and federal grant payments frozen, staff said key positions and operations are at risk.
Chandra said the…
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