FEMA Bulletin Week of October 3, 2016

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FEMA BULLETIN

Week of October 3, 2016

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In this Edition:

Important Dates & Deadlines

October 14: Deadline for EMI Offers Advanced Public Information Officer Training Application

Emergency Management Institute Advanced Public Information Officer Training Application  Deadline

October 24: Second Version of Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide Public Comment Deadline

Second Version of Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide Public Comment Deadline

Public comments for the federal flood risk management guide is due.

Public Comments for Federal Flood Risk Management Guide Deadline

October 28 is the deadline for all ccomments for the updated tribal policy.

Tribal Consultation to Tribal Policy Deadline

October 31: Interim National Cyber Incident Response Plan Update National Engagement Period Deadline

Interim National Cyber Incident Response Plan Update National Engagement Period Deadline

Draft disaster resilience indicators concept deadline is extended to December 15, 2016

Draft Interagency Concept for Community Resilience Indicators and National-Level Progress Measures Deadline

Fiscal Year 2017 Consumer Price Index Adjustments

FEMA is adjusting the following based on the FY 2017 Consumer Price Index (CPI): statewide per capita indicator, the countywide per capita indicator, the maximum amount for small project grants, the minimum amount for project worksheets, and the maximum amount of assistance under the Individuals and Households Program. These adjustments will impact all disasters declared on or after October 1, 2016.


- Statewide Per Capita Impact Indicator: used to evaluate impact of disaster at state level -- $1.43

- Countywide Per Capita Indicator: Used to evaluate impact of disaster at county level -- $3.61

- Maximum amount for small project grants: Maximum grant made under Public Assistance Simplified Procedures -- $123,100

- Minimum amount for Project Worksheets: Minimum amount that will be approved for any Project Worksheet under the Public Assistance Program -- $3,100

- Maximum amount of assistance under the Individuals and Households Program: Maximum amount of financial assistance provided to an individual or household under the Individuals and Households Program -- $33,300


For additional information about these adjustments, you can review the notices on the Federal Register.


FEMA Releases Second Version of Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide for Public Comment

The second version of the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG) has been posted to the Federal Register for public comment. The PAPPG is a comprehensive, consolidated program and policy document that outlines the Public Assistance (PA) Program into a user-friendly guide. PAPPG incorporates and supersedes language from PA Program publications and the majority of previous policies. The first version of the PAPPG was published for disasters declared on or after January 1, 2016. Some of these changes include language clarification and the addition of references to other federal programs that intersect with FEMA’s PA program.


In accordance with the planned annual revision schedule, FEMA posted draft revisions to the PAPPG to the Federal Register. A summary of changes can be found on the Federal Register along with the actual language changes.


All comments must be received through the Federal Register by October 24, 2016.


FEMA Releases Individuals and Households Program Unified Guidance

FEMA released the Individuals and Households Program Unified Guidance (IHPUG). The Guide clarifies FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program by streamlining and simplifying information about disaster services for individuals and communities, to help state, local, and tribal officials better serve disaster survivors through a clear understanding of disaster programs.


The Individuals and Households Program provides financial help or directs services to those who have disaster-caused necessary expenses and serious needs and who are unable to meet those needs through other means. The Guide compiles FEMA policy for each type of assistance under the Individuals and Households Program into one comprehensive document and is intended to serve as a resource for state, tribal, territorial governments, and other entities who assist disaster survivors with post-disaster recovery.


The Guide consolidates all stand-alone policies and policy statements currently located in FEMA documents and standard operating procedures. It catalogs lessons learned from disaster operations and FEMA’s decisions as they relate to the Individuals and Households Program and increases transparency by clarifying past practices. Changes and updates to FEMA policy detailed in the Guide address previous policy gaps, align policy with current regulations, and ensure consistent delivery of all forms of assistance offered through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. The Guide is posted to FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/IHP-Unified-Guidance and on the Federal Register.


DHS Seeks Public Feedback for Draft Interim National Cyber Incident Response Plan Update

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is soliciting public feedback for the National Cyber Incident Response Plan (NCIRP). Recognizing that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and effective cyber incident response must involve all levels of government as well as the private sector, Presidential Policy Directive (PPD)- 41: U.S. Cyber Incident Coordination directs DHS to develop an NCIRP. Over the past few months, DHS has coordinated with stakeholders from across the federal government; state, local, tribal and territorial governments; and the private sector to update the NCIRP.


The current draft NCIRP formalizes cyber incident response practices developed over the past few years and further clarifies organizational roles, responsibilities, and actions to prepare for, respond to, and coordinate the recovery from a cyber incident. The plan also creates a stronger alignment between National Preparedness System, specifically the core capabilities within the National Preparedness Goal, the National Response Framework, and the National Incident Management System.


National engagement provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment and provide feedback on the NCIRP to ensure it continues to reflects the collective expertise and experience of the whole community in response to cyber incidents. The draft plan is available for review and feedback at https://www.us-cert.gov/ncirp. Webinars are also available. Please use the submission form to provide any comments and recommendations and email them to FEMA-NCIRP-engagement@fema.dhs.gov by 5 p.m. EDT October 31, 2016. More information is available on the DHS blog.


Emergency Management Institute Congratulates East Hartford, Connecticut, for Completing Integrated Emergency Management Course

FEMA congratulates East Hartford, Connecticut, for completing their Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC). The four-and-a-half day training course was designed specifically for their jurisdiction, providing both lecture and exercise-based training focused on response operations for a major flooding event.


IEMC courses simulate realistic crisis situations that emergency operations center personnel and community leadership/elected officials may encounter during disasters or other events. The course helps enhance the skills of participating officials, and provide a forum to evaluate the effectiveness of their specific emergency policies, plans, and procedures that protect life and property. The course’s target audience includes state, local, tribal, and territorial government personnel; their elected and appointed officials; supervisory, operations, and emergency support personnel; nonprofit organizations; the private sector; law enforcement personnel; firefighters; attorneys; public information officers; planners; and more.


IEMC classes are mainly delivered at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland; however, local delivery may occur in the community. Questions should be directed to FEMA-EMI-IEMB@fema.dhs.gov. If your jurisdiction is interested in applying for the program and obtaining information on the application process and its timeline, please visit http://training.fema.gov/iemc/.

Emergency Management Institute Offers Course Simulating Emergency Operation Centers

Reminder of Upcoming Deadlines

EMI Offers Advanced Public Information Officer Training

FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute is offering the Advanced Public Information Officer (PIO) course on November 28 – December 2, 2016. The course, held at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland, provides participants with the skills to establish, manage, and work in a joint information center (JIC).


Students will practice developing strategic messaging in support of incident action plans and manage a JIC. Individuals who took the course prior to 2011 are eligible to retake the training course since it was updated during the past two years.

 

The application deadline is October 14, 2016. If interested, contact Phil Politano, Training Specialist - Course Manager, at Philip.Politano.fema.dhs.gov or (301) 447-1343. For information on prerequisites and course schedules, go to http://training.fema.gov/programs/pio/.

 

Seeking Public Comments for Federal Flood Risk Management Guide

Published in the Federal Register, FEMA continues to encourage comments to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and supplementary Policy 078-3, “Guidance for Implementing the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS).”  This proposed rule would amend the definition of a floodplain, incorporate various approaches to establish a higher vertical elevation, and expand corresponding horizontal floodplain for FEMA federally funded projects. Where possible, it would direct natural systems, ecosystem processes, and nature-based approaches to be used when developing alternatives to locating federal actions in the floodplain.

 

When FEMA federally funded projects involve more than one federal agency, FEMA would use the Unified Federal Review (UFR) to coordinate application of the FFRMS to those projects. The UFR Process also recognizes the important role of federal agencies, localities, states, tribes, and the general public in environmental and historic preservation reviews.

 

The major provisions of this rule would affect FEMA-funded new construction and substantial repair projects for individuals and communities, including some projects done in the aftermath of a disaster for state, local, tribal governments, private non-profits, and stakeholders. However, this rule does not directly affect the availability or price of flood insurance.

 

Comments may be submitted through October 21, using one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Search for the notice in Docket ID FEMA-2015-0006. When submitting comments, indicate the section and reasoning for each comment.

• Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Regulatory Affairs Division, Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 8NE-1604, 500 C Street SW, Washington, DC  20472-3100.

Viewing comments and documents: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov.

• Background documents and submitted comments may also be inspected at the Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., 8NE, Washington, DC 20472-3100.

 

All submissions will be posted to the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information provided. Individuals who submit comments should read the Privacy Act.

 

Tribal Consultation to Update the FEMA Tribal Policy

FEMA is updating its Tribal Policy that guides how the agency implements a framework for nation-to-nation relations with federally recognized tribal governments, recognizing tribal sovereignty, self-governance, and our trust responsibility consistent with applicable authorities. This updated policy will supersede the current FEMA Tribal Policy, issued in 2013, which expires on December 30. The goal is to update the policy to reflect current authorities, address key policy questions, and improve the Agency’s nation-to-nation relationship with tribal governments to ensure we work together to build, sustain, and improve every tribal governments’ capacity to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against all hazards.


This consultation period will facilitate tribal leaders’ or their designee’s feedback during the policy update process. FEMA will engage officials through face-to-face meetings, national and regional association conferences, conference calls, and webinars to seek input on questions highlighted in the FEMA Tribal Policy: Key Concepts document. Tribal officials’ suggestions and comments will inform further development and refinement of FEMA’s Tribal Policy.

 

Tribal officials can submit comments on the FEMA Tribal Policy until October 28 through:

• E-mail to tribalconsultation@fema.dhs.gov, or

• Mail to ATTN: Margeau Valteau, Office of External Affairs (OEA), DHS/FEMA, 500 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472-3605.

 

Visit FEMA’s Tribal Affairs web page for more information on the tribal consultation period for this policy and to view the Key Concepts document.

 

Draft Disaster Resilience Indicators Concept Deadline Extended

The deadline has been extended until December 15, 2016, to submit inputs and feedback to the Mitigation Federal Leadership Group (MitFLG) Disaster Resilience Indicators Subcommittee’s “Draft Interagency Concept for Community Resilience Indicators and National-Level Progress Measures." Stakeholders can submit comments and feedback to FEMA-CommunityResilience@fema.dhs.gov.

 

The document is the result of a year-long effort to identify potential indicators of community resilience capacity building that align with the Mitigation and Recovery Core Capabilities under the National Preparedness Goal. Learn more details about this initiative through FEMA and NOAA partnership here.