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GEMA flags federal EMPG uncertainty and seeks clarity on $2M for emergency services
Summary
GEMA told the Senate committee federal changes to EMPG period-of-performance and previous federal reductions create recurring match shortfalls; the agency requested additional matching funds and said a proposed $2M for emergency services (local fire station support) lacks specificity pending further details.
The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency told senators it faces federal funding uncertainty and local emergency-service needs that require clearer appropriation instructions.
GEMA presenter Greg Koehler said the agency expects the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) NOFO to be delayed amid a federal shutdown and warned the period-of-performance language could revert to a one-year cycle, forcing the state to match overlapping federal fiscal years. "Our FY, '25 EMPG performance grant has reverted back to its original 1 year period of performance... Our concern is this," Koehler said, describing the administrative burden and funding timing risk.
Koehler said the state has experienced a roughly $928,815 federal reduction tied to EMPG changes and recommended restoring that amount to the base budget rather than continuing an annual shortfall. He also described a $2 million line item intended to support local fire stations and emergency services, but said GEMA lacked specific location-level breakdowns and was still gathering data to justify distributions.
Senators asked for prompt follow-up because the committee will finalize FY27 recommendations this week; GEMA said it would provide the requested details if available.
