FEMA Bulletin Week of February 19, 2018

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FEMA BULLETIN

February 19, 2018

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In this Edition:

Important Dates & Deadlines 

February 27

National Incident Management System National Engagement Period Deadline

March 11

Draft National Mitigation Investment Strategy Public Comment Period Deadline

March 16

Fiscal Year 2017 Fire Prevention & Safety Grants Application Deadline

March 18

FEMA National Advisory Council Application Deadline

March 18

Youth Preparedness Council Application Deadline

FEMA and Partners Release Second PrepTalks Symposium Video

FEMA, in partnership with organizations that collectively represent the emergency management profession, today released the second video presentation from the inaugural PrepTalks Symposium, John Barry’s “The Next Pandemic: Lessons From History.”


Barry’s PrepTalk offers lessons learned from the 1918 and the 2009 influenza pandemics. He provides guidance on what emergency managers can do to work with public health and elected officials to implement measures that can save lives. In 2005, the National Academy of Sciences named Barry’s book, The Great Influenza: the story of the deadliest pandemic in history, as the year's best book on science or medicine. Barry’s presentation and additional reference materials are available at www.fema.gov/preptalks. The next PrepTalks video presentation is scheduled for posting in late February.

 

PrepTalks are 15-to-20-minute presentations by subject-matter experts and national and international thought leaders, designed to spread new ideas, spark conversation, and promote innovative leadership for the issues confronting emergency managers now, and over the next 20 years. The inaugural PrepTalks symposium occurred January 29, 2018 at George Washington University in Washington DC.  Eight thought leaders representing a variety of disciplines challenged the audience to embrace new perspectives and innovation in the field of emergency management.


Upcoming PrepTalks video topics include the importance of social capital in disaster mitigation and recovery, and mapping potential hazard exposure. Each of these videos, along with a discussion guide presentation, will be released in the coming months. The next PrepTalks Symposium is tentatively scheduled for fall of 2018.

 

PrepTalks are a partnership between FEMA, the International Association of Emergency Managers, the National Emergency Management Association, the National Homeland Security Consortium, and the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security.


Emergency Management Institute Hosts Training e-Forums

eForums logo

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.


March EMI e-Forums

- 3/7: Applying Instructional Design Strategies and Behavior Theory to Household Disaster Preparedness Training

- 3/14: Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADS) and Government: Shared Training Resources

- 3/21: Incorporating Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs) in Training:  How to Use from an Instructional Systems Designer

- 3/28: Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP): Beyond the Templates

 

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.


Reminder of Upcoming Deadlines

FEMA Seeks Comments on the National Incident Management System

FEMA’s National Integration Center is seeking feedback on 109 draft National Incident Management System (NIMS) Job Titles/Position Qualifications and Resource Typing Definitions. NIMS is a key component of the nation's incident management efforts and enables organizations from across the country to work together during incidents of all kinds and sizes.


This National Engagement period will conclude at 5 p.m. ET on February 27, 2018. National Engagement provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment on the job titles/position qualifications and resource typing definitions.


To review the NIMS Job Titles/Position Qualifications and Resource Typing Definitions, go to: https://www.fema.gov/national-incident-management-system/national-engagement. To provide comments on the draft, complete the feedback form and submit it to FEMA-NIMS@fema.dhs.gov.



FEMA and Interagency Partners Release Draft National Mitigation Investment Strategy for Public Comment

For our nation to become more resilient, we must develop a more effective and efficient way to invest in mitigation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security tasked the Mitigation Framework Leadership Group (MitFLG) to develop a National Mitigation Investment Strategy (Investment Strategy). As of January 11, the public is encouraged to review the draft Investment Strategy and provide comment. The draft Investment Strategy makes a series of recommendations, organized by six desired outcomes which, if met, could result in a nation better equipped for, and less vulnerable to, natural hazards. The draft Investment Strategy provides a national approach to investments in mitigation activities and risk management across federal, state, local, and territorial and tribal government and the private and non-profit sectors.


The draft Investment Strategy is now available on the National Mitigation Framework website at www.fema.gov/national-mitigation-framework. Comments on the draft Investment Strategy will be accepted until March 11, 2018 either through email to fema-nmis@fema.dhs.gov or through the IdeaScale site at https://fema.ideascale.com/a/ideas/recent/campaign-filter/byids/campaigns/60968.

 

To learn more about FEMA’s commitment to the National Mitigation Investment Strategy and building a true culture of preparedness across all communities, read Investing in Mitigation to Build a More Resilient Nation at www.fema.gov/blog.



Notice of Funding Opportunity: Fiscal Year 2017 Fire Prevention & Safety Grants Application Period

FEMA’s annual funding opportunity for the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants is now open. FP&S grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards.


The application period for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 FP&S grants will close on Friday, March 16, 2018, at 5 p.m. ET.


The primary goal of these grants is to reduce injury and prevent fire-related deaths among high-risk populations. In 2005, Congress reauthorized funding for FP&S, and expanded the eligible uses of funds to include Firefighter Safety Research and Development. For more information on fire prevention grants, visit www.fema.gov/fire-prevention-safety-grants.



FEMA Seeks Applicants for Youth Preparedness Council

FEMA is seeking applicants for the Youth Preparedness Council, which brings together teens from across the country who are interested and engaged in community preparedness. Council members are selected based on their dedication to public service, their efforts in making a difference in their communities, and their potential to expand their impact as national leaders for preparedness. Students in 8th through 11th grade are eligible to apply.


Youth interested in applying to the Council must submit a completed application form, provide two letters of recommendation, and academic records. All applications and supporting materials must be received no later than March 18, 2018, 11:59 p.m. PT in order to be eligible. New council members will be announced in May 2018.


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



FEMA Seeks Applicants for National Advisory Council

FEMA requests that qualified individuals who are interested in serving on the FEMA National Advisory Council (NAC) submit an application to be considered for appointment. FEMA is now accepting applications for open positions in the following discipline areas:

- Elected Local Government Official (one representative appointment)

- Elected State Government Official (one representative appointment)

- Emergency Management Field (one representative appointment)

- Emergency Response Providers, which includes fire, law enforcement, hazardous materials response, emergency medical services, and organizations representing emergency response providers (two representative appointments)

- Communications Expert, an expert in communications infrastructure, public safety and first responder communications systems and networks, and/or broadcast, cable, satellite, wireless, or wireline services and networks (one Special Government Employee, or SGE)

- Cybersecurity Expert, an expert in protecting and defending information and communications systems from damage, unauthorized use or modification, or exploitation, (one SGE)

- In-Patient Medical Provider, a provider of medical care to patients admitted to a healthcare facility, such as a hospital or skilled nursing facility (one SGE)

- Administrator Selections (up to two SGE appointments)


All appointments are for three-year terms beginning in September 2018. Applications must be received on or before March 18, 2018.


Detailed instructions on how to apply can be found at www.fema.gov/membership-applications.