FEMA Bulletin Week of April 3, 2017

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FEMA BULLETIN

Week of April 3, 2017

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In this Edition:

Important Dates & Deadlines

April 7: Youth Preparedness Council Application Deadline (deadline extended)

Youth Preparedness Council Application Deadline (deadline extended)

APRIL

Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Guide Comment Deadline

April 12: Public Assistance Deductible Concept Open Comment Period Deadline

Public Assistance Deductible Concept Open Comment Period Deadline

Ready.gov Data Feed Now Available for Websites and Apps

FEMA created a data feed for the Ready Campaign’s emergency and hazard safety tips that provides information relating to a wide range of disaster information including how to prepare for, survive, and cope with different types of disasters. This new data feed allows website and app developers to display Ready.gov safety tips on their website and/or app. As content is updated on Ready.gov, the data feed will also be updated so that it will match the most current information available on the Ready website. For an example of how this feed can be used, download the FEMA app and see how developers incorporated Ready.gov data into the app.


For more information about the new Ready.gov data feed, visit www.fema.gov/ready-hazards-api.


New Fact Sheet Available on Salvaging Family Valuables and Heirlooms Damaged by Disasters

When homes are flooded and lives are upended, treasured keepsakes such as photos, artwork, quilts and family heirlooms become more cherished. Although they may have been damaged in the flood, these treasures may be salvageable. Over the years, preservation experts have been resources at Disaster Recovery Centers offering practical tips and steps on how to handle, dry and clean damaged objects, and share tips on personal safety, setting priorities and other preservation options.


FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution co-sponsor the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, a partnership of 42 national service organizations and federal agencies created to protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies. In addition to a new fact sheet, the Task Force’s efforts on salvaging water-damaged, important personal belongings is also featured in a post titled “Safeguarding Memories” on the FEMA blog.


Center for Domestic Preparedness Hosts Tribal Nations Training Week

Recently the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) hosted their 2nd Annual Tribal Nations Training Week with 157 tribal students enrolled in five different training courses. The 157 students represented 41 different tribal agencies, spanning 17 states. Throughout the week, the CDP hosted members of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium and the Emergency Management Institute who made presentations and discussed training opportunities with tribal attendees.

 

Guest speakers were invited to deliver presentations on topics of interest in Indian Country.  Training culminated with an Integrated Capstone Event (ICE) designed to have all training courses work together during a mass casualty incident. The week ended with remarks from FEMA’s Assistant Administrator for Recovery Alex Amparo and CDP Superintendent Mike King. The CDP will schedule a focus group in the coming weeks to start framing the 3rd Annual Tribal Nations Training Week. 

 

For more information on CDP training, visit https://cdp.dhs.gov/find-training.


Emergency Management Institute Offers Flood Virtual Tabletop Exercise

FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Virtual Tabletop Exercise (VTTX) program will offer a flood scenario May 24-25, 2017. The VTTX is designed to help emergency management professionals exercise their response to the impact of major flooding on their community. The VTTX involves key personnel discussing simulated scenarios in an informal setting, and can be used to assess plans, policies, training, and procedures during a flood and inundation challenge.


Each month, EMI conducts a VTTX series using a Video Teleconference (VTC) platform to reach community-based training audiences around the country by providing a virtual forum for interactive disaster training.  The VTTX is designed for a group of ten or more representatives from state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management communities of practice. It provides a unique opportunity for responders across the nation to simultaneously participate in a hazard-specific, facilitated discussion. Participants will need to connect via a site equipped with the appropriate VTC capability (not Adobe Connect or Face Time-based), but alternate ways to participate are also available upon request.


The VTTX occurs 12-4 p.m. ET. To participate, send an email to douglas.kahn@fema.dhs.gov or call 301-447-7645. Also, send a courtesy copy email to fema-emi-iemb@fema.dhs.gov or call 301-447-1381. The application deadline is May 1, 2017. Additional information is available at https://training.fema.gov/programs/emivttx.aspx.


Fire Safety Tips: Wildfires

The U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA) focus on fire safety for April is wildfire safety. Even if you don't live near wildfire-prone areas, these fire safety tips can still help:

- Create an emergency bag of personal items that you will need if you are asked to leave your home.

- Make and frequently practice a family evacuation plan that includes meeting locations, a communication plan, and pet accommodations.

- Clean your roof, gutters, and deck of dead leaves and pine needles often.

- Use building and yard materials that won’t burn easily.

- Keep an area up to 200 feet around your home lean, clean, and green.


For more information about wildfire safety, visit the USFA website.


Reminder of Upcoming Deadlines

Deadline Extended for Youth Preparedness Council Applications

FEMA extended the deadline for Youth Preparedness Council applications to April 7. Council members are selected based on their dedication to public service, efforts in making a difference in their communities, and potential to expand their impact as national advocates for preparedness. Students in grades 8 through 11 are eligible to apply.

 

The Youth Preparedness Council offers an opportunity for youth leaders to serve on a distinguished national council and participate in the Youth Preparedness Council Summit in Washington, D.C. During their two-year term, the leaders will complete both a local and national-level project and share their ideas regarding youth disaster preparedness with the leadership of FEMA and national organizations.

 

Youth interested in applying to the Council must submit a completed application form, two letters of recommendation, and academic records. Information about completing and submitting the application and attachments can be found in the application instructions. All applications and supporting materials must be received no later than April 7, 2017, 11:59 p.m. PT to be eligible. New members will be announced in May 2017.

 

To access the application materials, read about the current members, and for more general information, visit www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.

 

 

FEMA Seeks Comment on Updated Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Guide

FEMA is updating its policy that guides how agency officials interpret regulatory requirements in their review and approval of tribal mitigation plans. The updated Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Guide will supersede FEMA’s current Tribal Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Guidance issued in 2010.

 

Tribal officials can submit comments on the Guide by mail to: ATTN: National Mitigation Planning Program, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA), DHS/FEMA, 400 C Street SW, Suite 313, Washington, DC 20472-3020. Comments can also be submitted by electronic mail to tribalconsultation@fema.dhs.gov. All comments must be submitted either by U.S. mail or e-mail no later than April 9, 2017.

 

Visit FEMA’s Tribal Affairs page for more information on this tribal consultation. For additional information or questions, contact your Regional Tribal Liaison.


FEMA Seeks Comments on a Public Assistance Deductible Concept

In response to calls from members of Congress, the Government Accountability Office, and the DHS Office of Inspector General over the last several years, FEMA is working to reform the way the federal government supports states following disasters. The agency continues to actively explore the concept of a deductible, specifically leveraging the Public Assistance Program. Individual Assistance programs, such as direct aid to households after a disaster, would remain unchanged.


FEMA is committed to a transparent stakeholder engagement effort to explore how the program might move forward. In 2016, FEMA sought public comments on the basic concept of a deductible through www.Regulations.gov under docket ID FEMA-2016-0003. After considering the 150 comments received, FEMA developed a conceptual model framework that is now available for public comment until April 12, 2017. This Supplemental Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, or SANPRM, is available for 90-days on www.Regulations.gov under docket ID FEMA-2016-0003 at this link: FEMA_FRDOC_0001.



Increasing Engagement with Faith-based Organizations in Disaster Preparedness Webinar

FEMA's EMI is hosting a webinar emphasizing the value of increasing engagement with faith-based organizations for disaster preparedness on April 12 at 2-3:30 p.m. ET. The webinar is a joint effort between the DHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and FEMA’s Higher Education Program that will provide a forum to help to ensure emergency managers, faith-based and community organizations are aware of academic partner resources and engagement opportunities. Participants can register for the webinar online and use the conference call-in (800) 320-4330; PIN: 376368#.

 

 

National Emergency Management Advanced Academy Applications

EMI is accepting applications for the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy. This program addresses program management and oversight, effective communication, integrated collaboration, and strategic thinking skills.  The target audience is mid-level managers who have a minimum of three years of experience in an emergency management position to include government, non-profit, voluntary organization, and private sector leaders who are responsible for emergency management or homeland security.

 

The Advanced Academy Program consists of four resident courses and is five days in length.  Classes begin in October, November, or December 2017 and are ideally taken sequentially through September 2018. Applications will be accepted until May 31, 2017, with selections in June and announcements in July.

 

For more information, contact fema-empp-advanced-academy@fema.dhs.gov.

 

 

Apply to Become a Trainer for the National Emergency Management Basic Academy

EMI is offering a Train-the-Trainer course for the National Emergency Management Basic Academy. To qualify to enroll in the Train-the-Trainer course, individuals must have at least five years of experience working in the field of emergency management and at least three years of experience delivering emergency management instruction to adults.

 

The entry-point for individuals pursuing a career in emergency management, the Basic Academy offers the tools to develop comprehensive foundational skills. For those who are new to emergency management, the Basic Academy also provides a unique opportunity to build camaraderie, to establish professional contacts, and to understand the roles, responsibilities, and legal boundaries associated with emergency management. 


Course Dates:  August 7-11, 2017

Location:  Emergency Management Institute, National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, MD

Application Deadline:  June 26

 

For additional information, contact Jeff Januchowski at 301-447-1356 or jeffrey.januchowski@fema.dhs.gov.