Important Dates & Deadlines Continuity Guidance Circular Draft National Engagement Period Deadline Homeland Security National Training Program Continuing Grants Application Deadline 2018 National Emergency Management Executive Academy Application Deadline Draft Policy on Floodplain Development Open Comment Period Deadline FEMA Tribal Outreach and Consultation Period Deadline on FEMA Tribal Consultation Policy

Public Assistance Alternative Procedures Pilot Program for Debris Removal Extended by One Year

Last week, FEMA officially extended the Public Assistance Alternative Procedures Pilot Program for Debris Removal, authorized by the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 (P.L. 113-2), for one year to June 27, 2018. As part of the extension, FEMA is changing the implementation of the sliding scale provision. FEMA will only authorize the sliding scale provision in events with significant debris impacts. The other three provisions available under the Pilot remain unchanged.

For disasters declared on or after August 28, 2017, FEMA is limiting the use of the pilot’s sliding scale provision to high impact incidents that meet the following criteria: high concentration of localized damage; large quantities of debris (over $20 million or 1.5 million cubic yards); and disasters declared very soon after the incident (within eight days) to incentivize rapid debris removal.

The goal of the sliding scale is to provide a voluntary incentive for states and tribes to remove debris quickly to support rapid recovery in communities. In the sliding scale, the federal government pays an increased cost share along the following sliding scale timeline: Days 1-30 – 85 percent; Days 31-90 – 80 percent; Days 91-180 – 75 percent. FEMA will notify states or tribes at the time of declaration if the sliding scale is authorized for that disaster.

Updated information on the Pilot and sliding scale is in the Public Assistance Alternative Procedures Debris Pilot Guide at www.fema.gov/alternative-procedures.

FEMA Hosts Second Virtual Disaster Housing Industry Forum

FEMA will host a second virtual disaster housing industry forum on Thursday, July 13, from 2-4 p.m. EDT. The forum is for members of the private sector and academic institutions that have new and innovative solutions for providing temporary living facilities following a disaster.

Interested participants should already have a prototype of a fully formed design concept for disaster housing units. Participants present via a web-based platform and phone call. It is open to both for and non-profit organizations, trade associations or academic institutions who may be able to provide temporary living facilities following a disaster. The ideal units could be used anywhere from six to 18 months and in a variety of climates.

Presentations will be limited to five power point slides and ten minutes or less. The call for presentations does not imply or guarantee a contract or intent to purchase. This call is being conducted to identify diverse options that may be unknown to FEMA.

Those who are interested in participating or who have questions should contact FEMA-Housing-Assistance-Initiative@fema.dhs.gov.

Firework Safety Tips

Many people enjoy picnics, family, and fireworks on July 4. Fireworks are fun and beautiful, but they are also dangerous if not handled properly. In the month of July, an average 230 people go to the emergency room each day due to firework related accidents. Sparklers can burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is as hot as a blow torch. The United States Fire Administration urges everyone to stay safe this Independence Day, and to leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Here are some safety tips for those who decide to legally purchase and use fireworks:

- Keep a bucket of water or garden hose nearby.

- Never allow young children to play with or light fireworks.

- Don’t stand over a firework when lighting the fuse.

- Light fireworks one at a time.

- Do not try to relight a firework that isn’t working properly.

For more information about summer safety and fireworks, visit www.usfa.fema.gov.

Integrated Emergency Management Course Helps Communities Prepare

This is an update to a previously published version of this article to accurately reflect the exercise scenario.

FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI) congratulates the State of Rhode Island for completing their Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC), June 19-22, 2017. The four-day course was designed specifically for their jurisdiction, providing both lecture and exercise-based training.

There were more than 100 emergency management personnel who participated in the course, representing all levels of government in Rhode Island, from the Governor’s Office to first responders. The exercise, emanating from Rhode Island’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), simulated a Category 3 hurricane and the impact on residents across the state. The exercise incorporated simulated response from five local EOCs, ensuring situational awareness for Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency staff. EMI sent a training specialist and technician to support the exercise, and FEMA’s National Exercise Division sent two personnel who served as exercise controllers. FEMA Region I supported the IEMC providing local expert instruction on FEMA and FEMA regional policies, local concerns, trends and equities.

IEMC courses simulate realistic crisis situations that emergency operations center personnel and community leadership/elected officials may encounter during disasters or other events. Also, the course helps enhance the skills of participating officials, and provides 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 other whole community stakeholders and partners.

IEMC classes are principally delivered at FEMA’s EMI at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland; however, local delivery such as this one can also be conducted in a specific jurisdiction. Questions should be directed to FEMA-EMI-IEMB@fema.dhs.gov. If your jurisdiction is interested in applying for the program or is seeking more information on the application process and its timeline, please visit http://training.fema.gov/iemc/.

Reminder of Upcoming Deadlines

Continuity Guidance Circular Draft Released for National Engagement

FEMA released the draft of an updated Continuity Guidance Circular for national engagement. The document provides recommendations on developing and maintaining the capability to ensure continuity of operations, continuity of government, and enduring constitutional government. National preparedness and sustainment of essential functions is a shared responsibility of the whole community – business, nonprofit and governmental entities. FEMA’s National Continuity Programs developed the Circular in 2009 and issued its first revision in 2013.

The 30-day national engagement period includes several 60-minute engagement webinars to describe the draft document, provide information on how to submit feedback, and to answer stakeholders’ questions. Feedback from stakeholders will shape the development of the final document. For more information and to review the draft documents, visit www.fema.gov/continuity-guidance-circular by July 6, 2017. Submit your completed feedback form to FEMA-CGC@fema.dhs.gov.

$8 Million Available for Homeland Security National Training Program Continuing Grants

FEMA announced that $8 million in Fiscal Year 2017 Continuing Training Grants (CTG) funding is available to develop and deliver FEMA training to address specific focus areas: Cybersecurity, Economic Recovery, Housing, and Rural and Tribal Preparedness.

Administered annually by FEMA, this competitive program attracts applicants nationwide, including state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, non-profit local and national organizations, colleges and universities, and faith-based organizations. Complete instructions to apply are found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), posted on Grants.gov, listed under Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 97.005, Continuing Training Grants. FEMA will review, evaluate and score proposals by applying a methodology that is detailed in the NOFO. The CTG application period opened on June 26, 2017 and will close at 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 26, 2017. Awards will be made by September 30, 2017.

For questions regarding the CTG program, contact FEMA’s National Training and Education Division via email at FEMA-NTES@fema.dhs.gov or contact Mr. Patrick Cowhey, patrick.cowhey@fema.dhs.gov and (202) 786-0905.

Apply for the 2018 National Emergency Management Executive Academy

FEMA’s EMI is now accepting application packages for the 2018 National Emergency Management Executive Academy. Ideally, candidates will have experience as senior executives of major emergency management organizations, served on major commissions and task forces, or be responsible for decisions that have a significant effect on homeland security and emergency management policies.

Applications will be accepted through August 15, 2017. There are a limited number of seats and enrollment is competitive. For more information on the Executive Academy and the application and selection process, visit www.training.fema.gov/EMPP/executive.asp.

Comments Needed for Draft Policy on Floodplain Development

FEMA prepared a draft policy for FEMA staff and communities participating in the NFIP to update guidance for participating communities on satisfying National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) floodplain development permit requirements, and to address questions about floodplain permitting of development activities occurring in the FEMA designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). Through this policy, a community can ensure compliance with NFIP and local floodplain management regulations, while potentially reducing the administrative burden associated with permitting certain types of low-to-no impact development in the floodplain.

This guidance does not intend to address other permits associated with building codes, or other federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial permits, and only applies to floodplain development permitting requirements to enroll in, and maintain eligibility for, the NFIP. The draft policy is available for review on FEMA’s website at: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/131010, and the public is invited to provide comment and input via FEMA-Floodplain-Management-Division@fema.dhs.gov until August 23, 2017.

FEMA Tribal Outreach and Consultation Period on FEMA Tribal Consultation Policy

FEMA initiated a 90-day outreach and consultation period from June 1 to August 29, 2017, to seek input from federally recognized Indian tribal governments on the update of the agency’s Tribal Consultation Policy. The FEMA Tribal Consultation Policy, first issued in 2014, acknowledges the agency’s nation-to-nation relationship with tribal governments. The policy also guides how FEMA engages tribal governments in regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration on policy and actions that have tribal implications.

Tribal officials can submit comments on the FEMA Tribal Consultation until August 29, 2017, through:

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

- Mail to ATTN: Margeau Valteau, Office of External Affairs, DHS/FEMA, 500 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472-3191.

Visit FEMA’s Tribal Affairs web page for more information on the tribal consultation period for this policy.