Counties face growing threats — from extreme weather to infrastructure failure — and rely on strong federal partnerships to keep communities safe. This week, the MACo County Emergency Managers Affiliate sent two letters to Maryland’s congressional delegation, urging continued support for FEMA and the restoration of proactive federal mitigation funding.
FEMA’s Role Must Remain Intact
Maryland’s county emergency managers emphasized FEMA’s value during major disasters and everyday planning, coordination, and readiness efforts. As FEMA undergoes internal review, county officials called on Congress to defend the agency’s stability and ensure inclusive input from local partners.
Restore the BRIC Program
As previously reported on Conduit Street, FEMA has abruptly canceled the federal BRIC program, halting hundreds of millions of dollars in disaster mitigation funding for state and local governments. County emergency managers warn that ending BRIC funding will halt critical local projects designed to reduce the risks and costs of future disasters.
Maryland counties submitted proposals for stormwater upgrades, coastal protection, and other shovel-ready infrastructure investments based on FEMA’s hazard mitigation framework. Without BRIC, counties lose a vital tool to plan and avoid the mounting costs of disaster response and recovery.
Counties Need Strong Federal Partners
Both letters convey that counties cannot manage evolving threats without strong federal support. The MACo County Emergency Managers Affiliate urged Maryland’s delegation to press FEMA to reverse course on BRIC and to ensure that local emergency managers continue to have a seat at the table in shaping national emergency policy.
MACo remains committed to supporting emergency management professionals and working with state and federal partners to promote long-term resilience.
Read the letter supporting FEMA’s continued role (PDF)
Read the letter urging the restoration of BRIC funding (PDF)
