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State and county emergency managers describe grants, FMAG and a pullback in FEMA engagement
Summary
State Emergency Management, DNR and Spokane County officials reviewed FMAG and BRIC programs, described DNR reforestation and mitigation projects funded by House Bill 1168, and warned that FEMA policy changes shift more responsibility and costs to local governments.
Emergency-management and natural-resources officials at the Medical Lake town hall outlined mitigation programs, post-fire ecological work and the evolving federal funding landscape they say will require stronger local planning.
Colin Haffey, post-fire recovery program manager for the Department of Natural Resources, described two project types: landowner recovery plans and active restoration such as grass seeding and reforestation. "We've planted almost 300,000 trees in these areas on small private parcels," he said, and described efforts to pair service foresters with landowners to create recovery plans and to leverage limited state dollars to attract federal funds.
House Bill 1168: Haffey said many DNR programs flow from HB 1168, a legislative allocation ("$125 million per biennium") to fund forest restoration, community resilience and wildfire response; those funds support community resilience personnel, home-assessment programs and cost-share opportunities for mitigation.
Grants and FMAG: Kat Whipple (Washington Emergency Management) explained FMAG (Fire Management Assistance Grant) as a FEMA reimbursement program that can be approved rapidly for suppression and emergency protective measures and which historically has provided post-fire hazard-mitigation funds for counties and statewide applicants. She told listeners FMAG requests are processed quicker than major-declaration IA/PA grants and that FMAG eligibility covers suppression costs and emergency protective actions.
FEMA changes and local implications: Chandra Fox (Spokane County Emergency Management) summarized a FEMA review-council report and said FEMA is shifting to require more local/state responsibility before federal engagement, raising local preparatory burdens and thresholds. "The intent is really to have the federal government, FEMA specifically, take a step back from immediate engagement in disaster response and recovery," she said, adding that Spokane County has a standing long-term recovery 501(c)(3) and is leaning on community and faith partners to cover service gaps while federal approvals arrive.
Coordination and coalition work: Panelists described the Spokane County Wildfire Mitigation Coalition and partnership opportunities (utilities, conservation districts, fire districts) to target fuels treatments for the highest return on investment and to coordinate public outreach so homeowners can access state and federal mitigation programs.
Next steps: Officials said they will continue applying for BRIC, FMAG and other mitigation grants, adjust to federal changes by building local capacity and pursue ways to reduce cost-share barriers for vulnerable landowners.
