Vermont Public Safety: FEMA cancels un‑obligated BRIC funding; federal training paused for nonfederal attendees

The Vermont Department of Public Safety told the House Appropriations Committee on April 23 that FEMA has canceled un‑obligated funding for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and that several federally provided training programs have been paused for non‑federal attendees, potentially affecting local mitigation planning and firefighter training.

Department officials said the BRIC line on the department’s federal funding workbook shows about $2.9 million in federal dollars for projects that are now canceled for any funds that are not already obligated. "We were notified, that that grant has been canceled, for any non obligated funding or any, funding that was obligated but not yet under construction," said Dean Beatty, deputy commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Safety.

Why it matters: BRIC funds are used to support local hazard‑mitigation planning, project scoping and buyouts. The department said its typical BRIC set‑aside—roughly $2.0 million per year used to help towns update local hazard mitigation plans and to scope projects—could be at risk going forward. Melissa Austin, a supervisor with the department, said the BRIC money also supports local planning efforts and occasional buyouts: "We often have a local activation plans ... In addition, we may, choose…