Item 35 - FY 2022 Emergency Management Performance Grant

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EMPG Program Appendix | 2023 Page H-24 program staff to ensure nationwide consistency in the decision-making process and to support any necessary updates to the AEL. Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems All requests to purchase Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) must comply with FEMA Policy 207- 22-0002, Prohibited or Controlled Equipment Under FEMA Awards, and must include the policies and procedures in place to safeguard individuals’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties in the jurisdiction that will purchase, take title to, or otherwise use the sUAS equipment. Additional information and requirements applicable to sUAS purchases can be found in the AEL at 03OE-07-SUAS. Acquisition and Use of Technology to Mitigate UAS (Counter-UAS) In August 2020, FEMA alerted of an advisory guidance document issued by DHS, the Department of Justice, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Federal Communications Commission: Advisory on the Application of Federal Laws to the Acquisition and Use of Technology to Detect and Mitigate UAS. The purpose of the advisory guidance document is to help non-federal public and private entities better understand the federal laws and regulations that may apply to the use of capabilities to detect and mitigate threats posed by UAS operations (i.e., Counter-UAS or C-UAS). The Departments and Agencies issuing the advisory guidance document, and FEMA, do not have the authority to approve non-federal public or private use of UAS detection or mitigation capabilities, nor do they conduct legal reviews of commercially available product compliance with those laws. The advisory does not address state and local laws nor potential civil liability, which UAS detection and mitigation capabilities may also implicate. It is strongly recommended that, prior to the testing, acquisition, installation, or use of UAS detection and/or mitigation systems, entities seek the advice of counsel experienced with both federal and state criminal, surveillance, and communications laws. Entities should conduct their own legal and technical analysis of each UAS detection and/or mitigation system and should not rely solely on vendors’ representations of the systems’ legality or functionality. Please also see the DHS press release on this topic for further information: Interagency Issues Advisory on Use of Technology to Detect and Mitigate UAS. For training on the application of UAS technology in emergency management programs, please refer to the National Preparedness Course Catalog and search 'UAS' on the website. Funding for Critical Emergency Supplies Critical emergency supplies—such as shelf stable products, water, and basic medical supplies—are an allowable expense under the EMPG Program. FEMA must approve a state’s five-year viable inventory management plan prior to allocating grant funds for stockpiling purposes. The five-year plan should include a distribution strategy and related sustainment costs if the grant expenditure is over $100,000. Training EMPG Program funds may be used for a range of emergency management-related training activities to enhance the capabilities of state and local emergency management personnel through the establishment, support, conduct, and attendance of training. Training activities should align to a current, multi-year IPP developed through an annual IPPW and build from training gaps identified in the THIRA/SPR process. Further guidance concerning the IPP and the IPPW can be found at Preparedness Toolkit Program Management Templates. Training should: • Foster the development of a community-oriented approach to emergency management that emphasizes engagement at the community level; • Strengthen best practices; and • Provide a path toward building sustainable resilience.