NVFC Asks the President to Waive Local Cost Share Requirements for Disaster Funding

April 14, 2020

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is asking President Trump to waive all federal cost-share requirements for assistance under the current Emergency Declaration and any future Major Disaster Declarations in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. On April 9, the NVFC joined with other major national fire service organizations sending a letter to the President to make this request.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) reimburses emergency services organizations for eligible expenses related to a presidentially-declared disaster. The DRF only reimburses 75 percent of costs, and many emergency services organizations will struggle to meet the 25 percent local cost share. Federal regulations allow FEMA to waive the local cost share at the direction of the President.