FEMA approves release of more than $984k in emergency management grant funds for Guam

The Guam Homeland Security Office of Civil Defense can now seek reimbursement for eligible expenditures after the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the release of $984,776 in fiscal 2023 Emergency Management Performance Grant funds.

The approval allows the agency to draw down funds from an award that had been placed on a restrictive hold. The Governor's Office described the action as an initial step toward easing heightened federal oversight of local emergency management grants in a release Friday.

"Releasing nearly $985,000 in grant funding reflects the steady progress our team has made in meeting federal documentation and financial tracking standards," Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said.

The funds directly support ongoing emergency preparedness, operational readiness and response capabilities, the governor added.

According to the release, coordination between GHS/OCD and FEMA Region 9 included a federal monitoring review that recognized improvements in local payroll accounting and compliance controls.

"With the amendment finalized, GHS/OCD can now claim reimbursements for eligible operational costs incurred under the FY 2023 grant guidelines. GHS/OCD continues to work alongside federal partners to complete remaining compliance reviews and restore standard drawdown procedures for additional grant awards," the release stated.

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