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DHS Shutdown Could Weaken Local Kentucky Emergency Management

Hopkins County Emergency Management / Facebook

As the region recovers from last week’s snowstorm, local emergency response agencies could see heavy cuts thanks to a potential U.S. Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

Congress remains divided over the newest proposed DHS budget. If a decision isn’t reached by Saturday, the agency will close, delaying 2015 FEMA funding.

Hopkins County Emergency Management Director Frank Wright says while he thinks it’s all just politics, a shutdown would severely weaken operations.

“We’ll stay afloat as much as we possibly can but at a lower capacity probably," Wright said. "And it’ll hurt us in the way of funding from emergency management and FEMA."

State government data shows that over $9 million of last year’s DHS budget went to county emergency management teams.

The funds cover items like personnel training, equipment costs and first response efforts.