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Updates About Federal Changes


Last Updated: April 4, 2025

We are currently reviewing the newly released advisory regarding FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant. OEM is seeking clarification from FEMA on the application of BRIC ’24 and prior grant funding.



Current Status

Additionally on April 4, 2025, FEMA released BRIC-related information following a First Circuit (RI) decision granting the State’s Motion for Enforcement of a previously issued federal preliminary injunction—a matter joined by the State of Oregon. The court ordered FEMA to “immediately cease the challenged manual review process” and to “comply immediately with the plain text of the preliminary injunction order not to pause or otherwise impede the disbursements of appropriated federal funds to the states.” 

OEM is awaiting further guidance from FEMA regarding compliance with this order. In the meantime, OEM will continue processing reimbursement requests so that payments may be expeditiously made once the freeze is lifted.



For most questions, reach out to your designated grant-specific OEM point of contact, or visit the OEM grants page to locate grant-specific staff emails.

For questions about Major Disaster Declarations or FEMA Public Assistance Program projects email: oem.pa-recovery@oem.oregon.gov.

We are hearing reports that some grant subrecipients may be receiving requests from the federal government to amend already-executed, valid grant agreements. Some of these amendment requests may ask you to “certify” that your organization will comply with all Presidential Executive Orders or to “certify” that you will not use funds for any DEI-related activities. Since your organization is a sub-recipient of federal funds, you may receive such requests directly, either through your funding/contract portal, via email, or through another means. Some of these requests have been accompanied by warnings that federal funds may be withdrawn or frozen if you fail to comply.

On March 6, 2025, a United States District Court entered an injunction order regarding the OMB Memo​. The Court Order states: “The Agency Defendants are enjoined from pausing, freezing, blocking, canceling, suspending, terminating, or otherwise impeding the disbursement of appropriated federal funds to the States under awarded grants, executed contracts, or other executed financial obligations based on the OMB Directive, including funding freezes dictated, described, or implied by Executive Orders issued by the President before rescission of the OMB Directive or any other materially similar order, memorandum, directive, policy, or practice under which the federal government imposes or applies a categorical pause or freeze of funding appropriated by Congress.”

If your agency is asked to certify or amend anything grant related, we advise diligence and caution. We also strongly recommend that you consult with your legal counsel prior to responding to any such requests. As you know, OEM cannot provide you with any legal advice or policy guidance on this or other matters and at this time we have no verifiable information about potential funding freezes that may affect your organization, however we remain your partners in emergency management efforts.

The Role of Federal Funding in Emergency Management

Federal funding plays a crucial role in state-level emergency management by providing cost share financial support that helps local jurisdictions prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the primary agency responsible for this support. 

FEMA awards grants for local and state emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation projects that are managed by OEM and they reimburse local and state agencies (and some nonprofits) for the costs of disaster response and recovery in presidentially declared disasters. 

Federal funding is used to ensure that state and local jurisdictions are able to stay financially solvent after a large disaster. It also enables local and state governments to provide resources and fund projects needed to manage, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies while effectively supporting their communities in times of crisis.

FEMA Review Council

An Executive Order Establishing the Council to Assess the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was issued on Friday, January 24, 2025. According to the executive order, the council will solicit public comment and is directed to hold its first public meeting within 90 days of when the order was signed. The council is directed to submit its report to the president within 180 days of that first public meeting. Members of the public who would like to participate in the public comment process can track upcoming public meetings and comment periods on the FEMA website events page.  

The latest order, Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness (March 19), primarily sets deadlines for federal agencies to report back to the executive branch. As with all the executive orders, we are analyzing its implications and preparing accordingly. We remain committed to advocating for our mission, securing necessary resources, and ensuring continuity for staff and partners.  

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA)

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is monitoring the impact of federal DEI actions on Oregon. We take a whole community approach that ensures our preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation programs are accessible to every individual, in service of our mission to ensure that all Oregonians are supported in times of disaster. At OEM, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility are not only core values that shape our agency's operations but also a strategic approach to fulfilling our mission and ensuring compliance with federal law. This commitment remains unwavering.

Read more about the Department of Justice’s Multi-State Guidance Concerning Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Employment Initiative for more insight on this matter.