Metropolitan Medical Response System (97.071)
Program
97.071 Metropolitan Medical Response System
Federal Agency
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Authorization
Public Law 104-201, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997: The Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1996 directed the Secretary of Defense to enhance capability and support improvements of response agencies. The Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 1997 authorized funding for "medical strike teams," and the subsequent development of the MMRS Program. Ongoing Congressional appropriations have funded contracts with 124 MMRS jurisdictions.
Program Number
97.071
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
The MMRS program funds highly populated jurisdictions (124 through FY 2003) to develop plans, conduct training and exercises, and acquire pharmaceuticals and personal protective equipment, to achieve the enhanced capability necessary to respond to a mass casualty event caused by a WMD with their locally controlled and operated resources, until significant external resources arrive. Key components of the program require activation/notification procedures, a concept of operations plan, the forward movement of patients (coordinated with using the National Disaster Medical System), hospital and healthcare system surge capacity management, the provision of specially trained responders and equipment through exercises and drills, public information dissemination, coordination response protocols, a bioterrorism plan including customized pharmaceuticals, and plans for the prophylaxis of an affected population for up to 1,000 chemical victims, and 10,000 biological victims.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The grant guidance specifically details what funds may be used for based on deliverable completion. MMR includes functional components which are closely related to HRSA, CDC, and OSLGC programs within the medical emergency and preparedness funding structure. Jurisdictions are advised that there is to be no duplication of Federal benefits in executing these MMRS grants. No other Federal funding, from the Department of Homeland Security, or any other Federal executive branch entity, may be used to pay for the same services and commodities paid for under any fiscal year MMRS grant. MMRS funding is to be integrated with regional/State and or multi-State/regional capabilities and the planning other local, State and Federal programs.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
MMRS funding is noncompetitive. Funds are disbursed based on population and threat assessment. Currently established MMRS local jurisdictions are the eligible applicants.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Local jurisdictions.
Credentials/Documentation
Not applicable.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The MMRS National Program Office will hold a series of conference calls in conjunction with the EPR Grants Branch, the FEMA Regional Project Officers, and Jurisdictional POCs to ensure a complete understanding of the application procedure, timelines, and requested duties/activities stated within the Grants Guidance. Additional technical assistance regarding grant application preparation will be available from the FEMA regional offices and FEMA headquarters. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
Jurisdictions submit their applications by a specified date to the grants branch who will then coordinate the review with the Regional FEMA Project Officers for technical review.
Award Procedure
An application review will be conducted within 7 days of receipt. Notification and approval will be determined within 21 days of receipt.
Deadlines
The application deadline will be stated in the grant guidance package.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Jurisdictions are given the opportunity to resubmit application after discussions with their FEMA Regional Project Officers concerning the technical review of the application.
Renewals
Consideration will be given to renew or extend the grant award based upon specific situational criteria, such as: extended disaster/emergency response activity, turnover in key personnel, competing Federal and/or State requirements, etc., formally submitted to the FEMA Regional Project Officers, with a review and opinion submitted to the MMRS National Program Office for decision in consultation with the FEMA grants branch.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
No match required.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
One year, subject to extension based on the appropriation and acceptable performance.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Grantees are required to submit quarterly performance and annual financial reports. Quarterly reports are due 30 days after the end of each quarter. Report dates are January 30, April 30, July 31, and October 30. Annual financial reports are due 90 days after the end of the grant year. Final financial and performance reports are due 90 days after the expiration or termination of grant support.
Audits
Jurisdictions undergo technical evaluations through the Operational Readiness Assessment component, a team designed to evaluate operational readiness through identified indicators, determining how well essential tasks may be performed at any given time. In accordance with the provisions of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular Number A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for the year. Nonfederal entities expending less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Grant records shall be retained for a period of 3 years from the day the recipient submits its final expenditure report. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later.
Program Accomplishments
The MMRS program has significantly enhanced local planning, preparedness and response capability in those Jurisdictions it serves. MMRS has continually been identified as the only Federal program to provide enough latitude and flexibility to develop and fund local solutions to Homeland Security challenges. MMRS bridges gaps between other Federal and State programs and enables integration with various efforts. As a result of these multiple programs, managed through the MMRS program, individual departments and agencies have been trained and equipped for their missions. These same departments and agencies have been familiarized with other stakeholders in the communities, and sought to coordinate and collaborate wherever possible.
Financial Information
Account Identification
70-0700-0-1-999.
Obligations
FY 03 $49,100,000; FY 04 est $50,000,000; and FY 05 est $50,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$250,000 to $700,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
MMRS has posted on its website, http://mmrs.fema.gov an overview PowerPoint presentation of its program, map identifying locations of MMRS jurisdictions, current news items, calendar, a restricted area for POCs to share information, and other, pertinent information related to the program. Other policy documents not posted on the web are maintained in the MMRS National Program Office, shared with the FEMA Regional Project Officers for action and coordination purposes.
Related Programs
97.008, Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI); 97.042, Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG); 97.053, Citizen Corps Program (CCP); 97.073, State Homeland Security Program (SHSP); 97.074, Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP).
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Region I, Jim Doherty: 617-223-9509; Region II, Richard Ohlsen: 212-680-3665; Region III, Cedric Cherry: 215-931-5605; Region IV, Bobby Clark: 229-225-4645; Region V, Sean O'Leary: 312-408-5389 Region VI Lorie LaFon: 940-898-5281 Region VII Dennis Prevett: 816-283-7022; Region VIII, Dan Feighert: 303-235-4737; Region IX, Jim Macaulay: 510-627-7009; Chuck Arnold: 510-627-7221; Region X, Janet Hlavaty-Laposa: 425-487-4757.
Headquarters Office
Program and System Development Branch Chief, Gil Jamieson: 202-646-4090. MMRS National Program Manager, Dennis Atwood: 202-646-2699.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Jurisdictions that have gone above the basic requirements of standard baseline development, and reached their eligibility requirements for Program Continuation funding, are those exemplary jurisdictions that have participated in Special Projects. These capabilities gained range from a Mobile Field Hospital in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, to an Emergency Patient Tracking System in St. Louis. Worcester has developed a software package for emergency responder credentialing and incident response status. Allegheny County has developed a Regional Incident Support Coordination Team, and Southern Rio Grande Region is working on building cross-border emergency preparedness capabilities. These are but a few of the MMRS initiatives ongoing throughout the nation.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Jurisdictions are pre-identified as potential MMRS participants based on population and threat assessment. Only these chosen jurisdictions may submit a cost and technical proposal for the non-competitive grant, as outlined in the Grant Guidance for that fiscal year. A technical review team, chosen by the MMRS National Program Office, reviews the proposals based on shared specific criteria, detailed within the Grant Guidance.
