In May 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conducted a preparedness grants effectiveness virtual case study with the State of Georgia. The purpose of this case study was to understand the role of FEMA preparedness grants in Georgia’s coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine rollout. This case study used data gathered from one interview with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS). It also drew from information that Georgia emergency management personnel provided through the Biannual Strategy Implementation Report (BSIR) and the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA)/Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR).
This case study found that preparedness grants funds created strong working relationships among GEMA/HS and vendors, which helped GEMA/HS acquire supplies and equipment critical to establish vaccination sites. In addition, GEMA/HS invested preparedness grant funding in personnel to manage the
vaccination sites, in supporting public information officers, and to purchase vehicles that allowed field staff to access the various mass vaccination sites more readily. Together, these investments enabled Georgia to effectively manage the COVID-19 vaccination process.
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