Report: FEMA Meeting Most Requirements for Awarding FIRE Act Grants
Oct. 31, 2009
A Government Accountability Office review released Oct. 30 found that FEMA is meeting most requirements for awarding FIRE Act funds, but that more can be done to improve the grant process.According to the GAO report, the agency met seven of eight statutory requirements and two of three established program requirements for distributing fiscal years 2007 and 2008 FIRE Act grants. The report also stated the agency has taken actions to ensure that its fire grants award process is accessible and clear to grant applicants.
A Government Accountability Office review released Oct. 30 found that FEMA is meeting most requirements for awarding FIRE Act funds, but that more can be done to improve the grant process.According to the GAO report, the agency met seven of eight statutory requirements and two of three established program requirements for distributing fiscal years 2007 and 2008 FIRE Act grants.
The report also stated the agency has taken actions to ensure that its fire grants award process is accessible and clear to grant applicants.
The GAO is recommending that FEMA establish a procedure to track EMS awards, ensure that grant priorities are aligned with application questions and scoring values and provide specific feedback to rejected applicants.
The report surveyed nine major fire service organizations, four of which voiced concerns about feedback FEMA provided to rejected applicants. Also, 22 of the 36 applicants GAO interviewed stated that the feedback from FEMA was helpful to little or no extent.
The report says that the DHS has agreed with its recommendations.
