DeSoto County

The purpose of the Emergency Preparedness and Assistance Grant (EMPA) Program is to provide state funds to assist local, territorial, and tribal governments in preparing for all hazards, as authorized by Section 662 of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (6 U.S.C. § 762) and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 5121 et seq.). Title VI of the Stafford Act authorizes DHS/FEMA to make grants for the purpose of providing a system of emergency preparedness for the protection of life and property in the United States from hazards and to vest responsibility for emergency preparedness jointly in the Federal Government, states, and their political subdivisions. The State Government, through the EMPA Program, provides necessary direction, coordination, and guidance, and provides necessary assistance, as authorized in this title, to support a comprehensive all hazards emergency preparedness system. The FY 2019 EMPA will provide federal funds to assist state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management agencies to obtain the resources required to support the National Preparedness Goal’s (the Goal’s) associated mission areas and core capabilities. The EMPA program supports the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Mission to Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience.