FEMA Approves Nearly $48 Million for Rhode Island COVID-19 Medical Costs

REGION I – Rhode Island will receive $47,949,475 from FEMA for materials in support of medical personnel, facilities and testing sites costs as a result of the major disaster declaration for Rhode Island’s COVID-19 Pandemic.  

This grant is funded through FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant program which reimburses communities for actions taken in the immediate response and during recovery from a disaster. Eligible applicants include states, federally recognized tribal governments, U.S. territories, local governments, and certain private non-profit organizations. The grant applications are submitted from the state, which coordinates the process with local governments. 

«FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program is essential to helping communities recovering from a federally declared disaster get back on their feet,» said Regional Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer Captain Russ Webster, who oversees FEMA’s operations in Rhode Island. Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects. 

«This funding is just one of the positive results of the partnership between FEMA and the State of Rhode Island through Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency,» concluded Webster. 

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grant funding to state and local governments, and certain types of private non-profit organizations, so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. FEMA obligates funding for this project directly to the state of Rhode Island. 

To date, FEMA has obligated more than $53.5 million to Rhode Island under the Public Assistance program. 

Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.