FEMA Bulletin Week of February 26, 2018

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FEMA BULLETIN

February 26, 2018

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In this Edition:

Important Dates & Deadlines 

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 Emergency Management Partner Organizations Release PrepTalk on the Role of Social Capital in Disasters

FEMA, in partnership with organizations that collectively represent the emergency management profession, today released the third video presentation from the inaugural PrepTalks Symposium, Dr. Daniel Aldrich’s “Social Capital in Disaster Mitigation and Recovery."


In his PrepTalk, Dr. Aldrich explains how social ties are the critical aspect of resilience in immediate survival, in mental health, and in community recovery. Despite common assumptions that money, governance, level of damage, and inequality are the most important determinants of recovery, Dr. Aldrich demonstrates that “disaster resilience comes from internal factors: How connected are we? How much trust do we have in each other? How often do we work together?” Dr. Aldrich has studied disasters around the world and is the author of four published books, including Building Resilience: Social Capital in Post-Disaster Recovery


Dr. Aldrich’s presentation, a discussion guide, and additional reference materials are available at www.fema.gov/preptalks. This is the third video of eight being produced from the PrepTalks Symposium held in Washington, D.C. in January. 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. Upcoming PrepTalk video topics include the importance of mapping potential hazard exposure and land use for community planning. The next PrepTalks video is currently scheduled for release in early March.


Tribes, Urban Area Security Initiatives Grantees Must Now Complete Stakeholder Preparedness Review

FEMA has administered the State Preparedness Report (SPR) since 2008 to assess state and territory preparedness. For the past year, FEMA worked with state, local, tribal, territorial, and federal partners to develop a revised methodology to assess preparedness capabilities. These updates include modifications to what data is collected, as well as which jurisdictions must complete the assessment. As part of this revised process, tribes and urban areas receiving preparedness grants will now also be required to conduct the SPR. Tribes will only be required to complete the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and SPR for select core capabilities.


To reflect the fact that the SPR is no longer limited to states and territories, FEMA updated the assessment name to the Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR). By having jurisdictions and tribes complete SPRs, FEMA has a greater understanding of national capabilities.


FEMA is taking a phased approach to implementation of the new methodology. In 2018, respondents will only need to address the response, recovery, and cross-cutting core capabilities in their THIRA and SPR. In 2019, respondents will be required to address all 32 capabilities. Beginning in 2019, jurisdictions will only need to submit a THIRA to FEMA once every three years. FEMA will host at least three in-person Technical Assistance sessions in May and June to train respondents on the revised process.


2018 National Preparedness Symposium Promoting Whole Community Preparedness Through Unity of Effort

FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI) will host the 2018 National Preparedness Symposium from May 21-24. The symposium provides federal, state, tribal, territorial, and nongovernmental training and exercise officials the opportunity to discuss current and future training and exercise programs and to share case studies, lessons-learned, and smart practices. The theme is “promoting whole community preparedness through unity of effort,” with a focus on promoting a culture of preparedness in America.


The goal of the symposium is to provide the tools, knowledge, and network to improve training and exercise programs that build and sustain capabilities for a more secure and resilient nation. Attendees will have the opportunity to identify at least one element they would like to implement, modify, or validate in their training and exercise program, and they will take away workable improvements that can be used immediately and successfully. The symposium also provides a platform to communicate changes to current capabilities and introduce new FEMA policy.


The event will be held at the National Emergency Training Center, 16825 South Seton Avenue Emmitsburg, MD 21727-8998. Applications for registration must be received by April 9, 2018.  To apply and for more information, visit https://training.fema.gov/nationalpreparednesssymposium/ or contact the EMI National Training Liaison Dan Lubman at daniel.lubman@fema.dhs.gov.


Reminder of Upcoming Deadlines

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.