On September 1, 2020, a number of national organizations sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to express concern with recent information from FEMA indicating the agency intends to eliminate personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfectants as eligible reimbursable expenses under Public Assistance for COVID-19.

According to the letter, “[a]ll plans for schools to reopen include built-in requirements for PPE. PPE is a fundamental element of any COVID-19 operation.” However, the letter states that FEMA is planning a policy guidance change that would remove PPE and disinfectants as eligible reimbursable expenses for COVID-19, which the organizations call a continuation of “a troubling pattern of shifting costs and responsibilities onto state and local governments, including state and local education agencies, when they can least afford it.”

The letter also goes on to say that “changing policy guidance in the middle of a pandemic is impractical, sows confusion, unnecessarily complicates the process of reopening, and disrupts daily operations for all those impacted, including our schools”…and that…”FEMA and the Administration have long maintained that every disaster is federally supported, state managed, and locally executed. We ask FEMA to waive the state cost share for COVID-19 assistance,to maintain thecurrent guidance on emergency protective measures, and encourage the Administration to provide clear guidance on eligibility of funding streams from across the federal government.”

Thus far, there has been no response from FEMA.

To view the letter in its entirety, click here.