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FEMA
today announced that private nonprofit houses of worship are eligible for
disaster assistance as community centers without regard to their secular or
religious nature. These changes are
effective for disasters declared on or after August 23, 2017 and for
applications for assistance that were pending with FEMA as of August 23, 2017,
including applications on first- or second-level appeal, that as of today have
not yet been resolved by FEMA.
Under
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford
Act), FEMA provides financial assistance, through its Public Assistance Program,
to certain private nonprofit (PNP) organizations for the repair or replacement
of facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster. FEMA’s changes now make houses
of worship owned or operated by PNP organizations eligible applicants for this
financial assistance (1) if their facilities suffered damage from an event
declared a major disaster on or after August 23, 2017, or (2) if they had
applications pending with FEMA as of August 23, 2017 that, as of today, have
not yet been resolved by FEMA.
As
with other non-critical PNPs under the Stafford Act, FEMA financial assistance
for the repair or replacement of a PNP house of worship facility is limited to
costs that a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will not
cover. PNP houses of worship must apply
to the SBA for a loan, as required by the Stafford Act. FEMA will provide financial assistance if the
PNP house of worship is denied a loan or if the loan authorized is insufficient
to cover repair costs.
This
change will be reflected in the third edition of the Public Assistance Program
Policy Guide, which will be available online at www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/111781.
FEMA announced that the annual funding opportunity for the Fiscal Year 2017
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) is now open, and the application
period will close on Friday, February 2, 2018 at 5 p.m. (Eastern). The Fiscal Year 2017 AFG program will
award $310.5 million to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters
against fire-related deaths and hazards.
FEMA awards AFG funding to fire
departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations, and state fire-training
academies. In addition, FEMA awards funding to other nonprofit organizations
recognized for their experience and expertise with respect to fire prevention,
fire safety programs and activities, or firefighter research and development
programs. Since 2002, FEMA has awarded $7.1 billion in fire grants.
Historically, 84 percent of awards go towards purchasing personal protective
equipment, vehicles and other operational equipment.
Applicant
tools, including the AFG Notice of Funding Opportunity, for this program will
be available at www.grants.gov
and at www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program.
Further, the “Get Ready Guide”
may also be useful for potential applicants and is provided to answer questions
and to help prepare grant applications.
For
fire departments/applicants requiring assistance please visit www.fema.gov/grants,
or contact the AFG Help Desk at firegrants@fema.gov or 1-866-274-0960.
 FEMA’s Emergency
Management Institute (EMI) is hosting a series of “One Link, One Bridge, Many
Voices” e-Forums every Wednesday from 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). EMI
e-Forums are one-hour, moderated webinar discussions that provide an
opportunity for EMI and the emergency management community to discuss matters
of interest on national preparedness training. The e-Forums showcase whole
community partners and peers, sharing their experiences. The panel format
offers opportunities to provide technical assistance in training management by
facilitating peer-to-peer sharing of best practices.
January
EMI e-Forums
- 1/10
EMI-Developed/State-Delivered G Courses: Best Practices from the States that
Deliver Them
- 1/17 The Emergency
Management Professional Program (EMPP): Aligning the Academies with the
Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) Certification
- 1/24 Incident
Management Teams: Innovation and Evolution to Build Community Capability
Participation
link: https://fema.connectsolutions.com/emieforums
Conference
call-in: 800-320-4330, PIN 107622
Questions:
https://training.fema.gov/contactus/sendcomment.aspx
EMI
e-Forums on Adobe Connect are
mobile device accessible.
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The National Weather Service (NWS)
issues outlooks, watches, warnings, and
advisories for all winter weather hazards.
Here’s what they mean and what to do. Use the information below to make an
informed decision on your risk and what actions to take.
- Winter Storm Watch: Be Prepared.
A watch means that severe winter
conditions may affect your area. NWS issues a watch to provide 12 to 36 hours
notice.
- Winter Storm Warning: Take Action! NWS issues a warning when it forecasts
four or more inches of snow or sleet in the next 12 hours, six or more inches
in 24 hours, or 1/4 inch or more of ice accumulation. Travel will become
difficult. Delay your travel plans until conditions improve.
- Winter Weather Advisory: Be Aware. An advisory informs you that
winter weather may produce hazardous conditions.
- Blizzard Warning lets you know that snow and strong
winds will combine to produce a blinding snow (near zero visibility), deep
drifts, and life-threatening wind chill.
Listen to
your local officials for the latest information, and visit www.ready.gov/winter-weather to learn more about preparing for snowstorms and extreme cold.
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