#MACoCon Must — FEMA Fallout: Facing Federal Funding Flux

At this year’s MACo Summer Conference, emergency management leaders will take a hard look at the future of federal disaster support — and what it means for Maryland counties on the front lines.

Federal disaster funding is in flux. As FEMA grapples with shifting priorities, tighter budgets, and escalating demand, counties are facing tough questions about how to maintain preparedness and resilience with fewer federal resources.

Local governments across Maryland are already feeling the pressure. With critical grant programs on the chopping block, counties must act swiftly to adapt their emergency response plans, secure alternative funding sources, and prepare for increased responsibility as federal support wanes.

To meet the moment, this session will convene experts to explore FEMA’s evolving direction, its implications for county-level emergency management, and the practical strategies local leaders can use to fill the gaps.

MACo Summer Conference Session — FEMA Fallout: Facing Federal Funding Flux

FEMA’s funding cuts and shifting policies have forced counties to navigate uncertainty and adjust emergency response strategies. With critical resilience grants on the chopping block and federal disaster priorities in flux, local governments must act swiftly to fill the gaps. This session brings together emergency management leaders to examine FEMA’s evolving direction, its impact on Maryland’s counties, and practical strategies for sustaining preparedness. Discover how to advocate for stable federal support, tap into alternative funding, and fortify local resilience amid federal unpredictability.

Speakers:

  • Preeti Emrick, Director, Office of Emergency Management, Anne Arundel County
  • David Bycoffe, Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Baltimore County
  • Brett Mattson, Legislative Director for Justice and Public Safety, National Association of Counties (NACo)
  • Ben Yelin (or designee), University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security

Moderator: The Honorable Mike Griffith, Maryland House of Delegates

Date/Time: Thursday, August 14, 2025; 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

MACo’s Summer Conference is August 13–16, 2025, at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. This year’s theme is “Funding the Future: The Evolving Role of Local Government.” For more information, please visit the conference website.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: