FEMA Approves Nearly $22 Million for Rhode Island COVID-19 Costs
REGION I –Rhode Island will receive $21,703,368 from FEMA to reimburse costs incurred by Rhode Island Department of Administration for construction of three alternative hospital sites to ensure hospital capacity in the wake of COVID-19.
The sites, at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Citizens Bank in Cranston, and former Lowe’s Home Improvement Store in Quonset, added nearly 1,400 hospital beds to supplement the state’s capacity as pandemic cases increased. Additionally, the build outs included areas with dedicated nursing stations, central cleaning stations, patient accommodations, a critical care bay, testing and lab services area, and an incident command center.
“These facilities were built and funded for the health and safety of Rhode Island residents,” said Regional Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer Captain Russ Webster, who oversees FEMA’s operations in Rhode Island. “The state works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program and conducts final reviews of FEMA-approved projects. Working together on such critical care needs is one of the positive results of the partnership between FEMA and the State of Rhode Island.”
This grant is funded through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant program which reimburses communities for actions taken in the immediate response and during recovery from a disaster. Eligible applicants include states, federally recognized tribal governments, U.S. territories, local governments, and certain private non-profit organizations. The grant applications are submitted from the state, which coordinates the process with local governments.
FEMA obligates funding for this project directly to the state of Rhode Island.
Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.
