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Region 51 emergency management warns federal grant uncertainty could cut hazmat training
Summary
Region 51 Director Brandon Myers told the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners that uncertainty over federal grant awards and a delayed federal guidance process have forced pauses on purchases and may threaten the continuity of hazmat teams and FEMA-standardized training.
Brandon Myers, director of Region 51 Emergency Management, told the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 27 that several federal and state emergency-management grant programs remain unsettled, delaying reimbursements and forcing staff to pause some purchases and reimbursements.
Myers said the office submitted reimbursement requests tied to multiple grants: $236,881 in 2022 HMGG reimbursements (including a $200,000 award for the hazmat group), $55,539.95 from 2023 hazard mitigation grants, and $41,739.14 from 2024 hazard mitigation grants; a separate small credit of $159.90 was also recorded. He said the delay is partly attributable to a federal shutdown and to federal officials deciding whether to award funding year-by-year or change program structure.
"There's always a risk of losing them," Myers said of the grants, adding that if the federal government reallocates funds as a lump sum to the state and the state reprioritizes, some programs — and entire local hazmat teams — could be left without sustained funding. "Some cities that rely on this funding could lose their one emergency manager or deputy director," he said.
Myers said training continues where possible, but purchases tied to reimbursements and qualifying FEMA-standardized instruction have been paused. He explained that FEMA-approved courses require FEMA-certified instructors and consistent standards so responders from different states can work together during disasters. "Once we get rid of that standardized training, then what I learned up here may be something different that Florida learned," Myers said.
The director also described the distribution of hazmat training across the state, naming North Platte Fire and teams in Grand Island, Hastings, Red Willow and Omaha among participants, and noted local deployments to highway incidents and a rail-car explosion where hazmat training proved important.
Commissioners asked whether the region had paused operations; Myers said teams continued drills and qualifications when feasible, but buying equipment and submitting reimbursements remain on hold until grant guidance is clarified.
Myers said Region 51 is awaiting direction from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the governor's office if federal funds are reallocated at the state level. He urged caution because the loss of grant funding could disrupt regional preparedness efforts and impose heavy costs on small localities.
The report also covered other routine Region 51 activities, including community exercises, CERT volunteer support at local events, CPR and first-aid training delivered to deputies and volunteers, and ongoing coordination with FirstNet, T‑Mobile and the National Weather Service.
