FEMA Asks Congress For $2.1 Billion 2002 Budget
Release Date: April 9, 2001
Release Number: HQ-01-017
FEMA FY2002 Budget Request, 150 Kb PDF document
Washington, DC -- The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported today that the agency is asking Congress for Fiscal Year 2002 budget authority of $2.1 billion.
"Our budget request fully funds FEMA's core operations for responding to disasters while continuing to emphasize empowerment and personal responsibility as they pertain to disaster preparedness and mitigation," FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said in outlining key provisions of the budget request for the fiscal year, which runs from October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002.
According to Allbaugh, FEMA is asking for a total of $1.4 billion for the President's Disaster Relief Fund to cover obligations for prior-year declarations and costs for new small and medium-sized disasters.
In addition, the budget requests $105.7 million for mitigation programs to provide both financial and technical assistance to improve techniques and planning processes aimed at reducing damage from earthquakes, hurricanes, dam failures and floods.
The agency is also proposing two major reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program. These include eliminating insurance coverage of the worst offending repetitive loss properties and phasing out subsidized premium rates for vacation homes, rental properties and other non-primary residences and businesses.
Other highlights of the budget request include:
- $134.5 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants for state emergency management agencies to improve and maintain state and local capabilities for addressing all hazards.
- $139.7 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program to supplement community services for alleviating hunger and homelessness.
- $100 million to continue a competitive grant program for local fire departments that provides health and safety equipment and apparatus in support of fire prevention efforts in rural and low-income communities.
- $5 million to initiate a new fire safety education campaign targeted at three high-risk populations-the elderly, children and firefighters.
The 2002 budget also includes $11 million to ensure that Urban Search & Rescue and mobile emergency support systems are operational and able to respond to potential incidents during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
The budget proposal calls for 2,590 full-time equivalent, non-disaster FEMA employees.
Last Modified: Friday, 17-Oct-2003 09:38:39