FY 08 Budget Priorities: Build a Nimble and Effective Emergency Response System and Culture of Preparedness

Remaining in a state of readiness is crucial to the Department’s ability to deter and respond to acts of terror or other disasters. The FY 2008 funding requests will strengthen the Department’s ability to build an effective emergency response system and culture of preparedness.

Progress Building Preparedness and Response

Over the last year, we have made important progress toward the goal.

• Strengthened FEMA's tracking and communications, leadership and customer service.
• Worked with state and local partners to assess emergency plans and communications interoperability.
• Promoted individual business preparedness.
• Authorized more than $110 billion to support recovery efforts in our nation's Gulf Coast as a consequence of Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.
• Over the last several years, provided nearly $20 billion in grants for state and local preparedness efforts.

FY08 Budget Request to Build Emergency Response System and Culture of Preparedness

• $3.2 billion requested for state and local preparedness expenditures and assistance to firefighters.
  • $2.2 billion is requested for the Department to fund grant, training, and exercise programs under FEMA.
  • $1 billion Public Safety Interoperable Communications grant program, co-administered in partnership with the Department of Commerce.
• $100 million increase for FEMA's Vision Initiatives, including staffing increases, new technologies, and targeted investment in equipment and supplies
• $48 million to convert FEMA's cadre of on-call response employee temporary positions, which have four-year terms, with permanent, full-time employees.
• $1.7 billion budget request to support the Coast Guard's search and rescue efforts.
• $12 million for the Nationwide Automatic Identification System to enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to identify, track and exchange information with maritime vessels