WASHINGTON, D.C. – Wednesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. announced Kansas will receive more than $1.6 million in federal cost sharing to support immediate staffing and supplies for the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) to help with costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“From day one, our KDEM and National Guard troops have been on the front line of this pandemic and filling a variety of roles,” said Marshall. “From assembling meal kits to providing administrative and courier services for COVID-19 testing clinics and delivering vaccines, our emergency response personnel have played a vital role in the state’s response to this pandemic.” 

During an emergency or natural disaster, local communities and state officials are the first boots on the ground to respond, he said. This funding, provided by FEMA, supports KDEM’s utilization of emergency staffing and sheltering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This cost-sharing goes toward increased staff capacity, lodging, meals and related supplies. In addition, funds are used for facility disinfection for non-congregate sheltering sites for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive cases for the management, control, and reduction of immediate threats to public health and safety. In total, Kansas received a 75% federal cost share of $1,603,191.