Flagstaff's steps towards fortifying its emergency preparedness have stumbled, as the EPA pulled the plug on their Resilience Hubs Grant. According to the City of Flagstaff, the federal agency terminated the grant, stating that it no longer fits with their program goals or priorities.
Funded originally by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the grant aimed to establish three resilience hub pilots in the city, offering places of refuge during extreme weather events and enhancing community resources. Despite the EPA's current stance, Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett expressed confidence in an alignment between the project’s objectives and the EPA's purported initiative to shield public health while rejuvenating the economy. "The EPA’s decision to terminate this grant is deeply alarming—not only for the City of Flagstaff, but for the many residents, community leaders, and partner organizations who have worked tirelessly to enhance local preparedness," Daggett said in a statement obtained by the City of Flagstaff.
The cessation of funding immediately affected four city jobs and the distribution of emergency response materials, vital services including cooling and heating stations, and a mobile hub provided by the Community Assistance Teams (C.A.T.s) of Flagstaff. Created to serve the community during wildfires, post-fire floods, and air quality crises, these hubs stood as pillars in the Flagstaff Regional Resilience Project.
As the city braces itself against the EPA's decision, officials have not stood idly by; they've launched a formal appeal. "We stand firmly behind this vital work and intend to challenge the EPA’s decision. Flagstaff remains unwavering in our commitment to safeguarding the health, safety, and future of our residents,” Daggett reiterated.
Despite this financial spanner in the works, Flagstaff is continuing to invest in community readiness via ongoing projects and collaborations with local entities. For further queries, Sarah Langley, City of Flagstaff's Public Affairs Director, remains available at [email protected].
