The Buffalo Common Council is urging FEMA to broaden what they call restrictive aid policies. They say snow emergencies are subject to more restrictive rules than other weather events.

Members of the Common Council say that it's because of this that these events are less likely to qualify for federal emergency funding.

"When compared to other weather events that are experienced in other parts of the country such as hurricanes, tornados, and flooding, snow emergencies are met with more restrictive rules and regulations under FEMA guidelines, as a result, they are less likely to qualify and receive Federal Emergency assistance," The Common Council said in a resolution. "Due to the restrictiveness of Federal Assistance in regard to snow emergencies, municipalities such as Buffalo are then left to bear the financial burden in addition to putting the pieces of the community back together in the wake of these weather events. The City of Buffalo and other municipalities that endure Snow Emergencies deserve to have them viewed in the same light as weather events that are endured in other parts of the United States, and should be compensated as such."

The resolution was passed at the Common Council's Feb. 6 meeting.

A FEMA spokesperson released a statement to Spectrum News 1, saying:

"FEMA continuously reviews its policies on disaster assistance, including assistance for snow-related disasters, to help support the needs of survivors and our state, local, tribal and territorial partners. Our snow assistance policy has been updated over the years to incorporate lessons learned, best practices and feedback from the public. Our forthcoming Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide version 5 includes information on the sources used to determine snow fall measurement, among other provisions related to winter storms and snow related disasters, to ensure we are effectively supporting communities during their recovery after disasters."