FEMA Bulletin Week of April 16, 2018

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FEMA BULLETIN

April 16, 2018

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In this Edition:

Important Dates & Deadlines 

April 27

Staffing for Adequate and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants Application Period

April 30

Property Acquisition Open Space Collection Open Comment Period Deadline

May 9

National Incident Management System Resource Management Documents National Engagement Period Deadline

May 15

National Emergency Management Advanced and Executive Academies Application Deadline

FEMA Integration Team Program Rolls Out in North Carolina

The scale and severity of disasters is growing and straining the capabilities of all levels of government.  The 2017 disaster season demonstrated that FEMA must work closer with its government partners to build capabilities to deliver faster, more tailored assistance directly where it is needed.


Beginning this week, North Carolina is the first state participate in the FEMA Integration Team (FIT) program. FEMA currently provides on-site and virtual technical assistance to SLTT partners through the FEMA Regions across program areas, but most staff are not co-located with the customers they serve. The FIT program, as outlined in the FEMA 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, gives FEMA the opportunity to rethink the way it employs the Agency’s workforce.


The FIT program will embed FEMA staff with emergency management partners to enhance the customer experience, build more resilient communities, and increase state, local, tribal, and territorial capabilities to prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from disasters.


FIT staff members will be arriving in Raleigh, North Carolina this week to begin their work with the state of North Carolina.


FEMA Releases Public Assistance Alternative Procedures for Permanent Work Guide for DR-4339

On April 11, FEMA released the “Public Assistance Alternative Procedures Guide for Permanent Work (Section 428)” document specifically for permanent work projects in Puerto Rico. Using these procedures, FEMA will develop fixed-cost project estimates in collaboration with Puerto Rico and applicants. All projects will be funded at a 90 percent federal cost share and the projects must be identified and estimates agreed to within the next 18 months.


Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello elected to participate in alternative procedures for all permanent work resulting from Hurricane Maria in order to expedite assistance and provide maximum flexibility during the recovery effort. Applicants will have the flexibility to use funding across all eligible projects to best meet their recovery needs, and alternate projects will not be subject to cost-share reductions that occur under the traditional Public Assistance program. Additionally, applicants will be allowed to use any excess funds towards eligible mitigation projects or other activities to improve future Public Assistance operations or planning.


Alternative procedures were first implemented following Hurricane Sandy as part of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act that Congress passed in January 2013. Since then, $10.8 billion has been estimated and obligated for 259 eligible recovery projects across 28 states using the procedures.


In Puerto Rico, an independent expert panel will review all fixed estimates that are more than $5 million, or at the applicant’s request for review. Both FEMA and Puerto Rico will have representatives who serve on the independent panel.


For more information on Hurricane María recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339.


FEMA Releases Affordability Framework for the National Flood Insurance Program

On April 17, FEMA released an Affordability Framework for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which for the first time provides data-driven analysis of the cost burden borne by flood insurance policyholders and potential policyholders, identifies the populations most burdened by the cost of flood insurance, and provides options for policymakers to consider to help close the flood insurance gap across the nation by reducing the cost burden of flood insurance.


Through the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 and the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014, Congress directed FEMA to examine options to aid individuals so they could afford risk-based premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and to develop a framework to help policymakers consider how to provide targeted assistance to policyholders and potential policyholders.


In the Affordability Framework, FEMA proposes several options based on income and offers descriptive models of the cost of each option. The following tasks were considered:

- Understand the affordability of the current NFIP portfolio as a baseline to better understand the impact of changes going forward.

- Begin the process of building the affordability framework.

- Complete the process of building an affordability framework.


As part of FEMA’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, FEMA is working to close the insurance gap with the assistance of both public and private insurers. As the largest provider of flood insurance in the United States, the NFIP is working to double the number of properties covered by flood insurance from the current 4 million to 8 million by 2023.


The Affordability Framework is available online at www.FEMA.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-publications.


FEMA Hosts Webinar on Updated Continuity Guidance Circular

FEMA’s National Continuity Programs will host a webinar on Thursday, April 19 to highlight the updates made this year to the Continuity Guidance Circular (CGC), as well as the importance of having a continuity plan. The webinar, “The Continuity Guidance Circular: Continuity Planning Guidance for the Whole Community,” will feature the Continuity of Operations Coordinator for Texas Department of Transportation Jamie Hahn, discussing his agency’s continuity plans and how continuity principles from the CGC are integrated into continuity programs; and the Continuity of Operations Administrator for the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services Troy A. Paisley, sharing a real-world activation of the Nebraska Department of Insurance’s continuity plan.

 

FEMA released the revised CGC on March 22, 2018. The document describes federal and non-federal continuity efforts; outlines whole community continuity roles, responsibilities, and coordinating structures; and describes the process for building and maintaining capabilities to ensure the performance of essential functions and delivery of critical services and core capabilities.

 

Please direct additional inquiries to FEMA-CGC@fema.dhs.gov.


When:             Thursday, April 19, 2018

Time:              2 p.m. - 3 p.m. ET

 

How to participate:

- Webinar: https://share.dhs.gov/ncwapril2018/

- Audio Conference: Dial-In Number: 1-800-320-4330  PIN: 810953#


April is National Financial Capability Month

FEMA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC), celebrates National Financial Capability Month by reminding individuals and families that the time to prepare for the financial cost of unexpected emergencies is long before an emergency happens.


An important part of financial planning for natural disasters is having homeowners or renters insurance coverage that is specific to the risks associated with your region, such as floods, high winds from tornados and hurricanes, or earthquakes.


Having hazard-specific insurance, especially flood insurance, is essential to recovering quickly from a disaster. Talk with your insurer or agent about your car, home, or rental insurance coverage. Everyone should know what coverage they have and if there are any shortfalls.


Be aware that most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover flood losses. Also, flood insurance takes 30 days to take effect, so act now to protect your family. Homeowners or renters can purchase flood insurance through an insurance agent or an insurer participating in the National Flood Insurance Program. Information on flood insurance is available at FloodSmart.gov.


On Wednesday, April 18 at 3 p.m. ET, join the Facebook Live – Money: Build it, Grow It, and Secure It to:

- Hear stories of people overcoming financial challenges;

- Discuss practical tips to planning, budgeting, saving, and protecting assets;

- Highlight what organizations are doing to help community members improve their financial well-being; and

- Provide resources to help individuals and families improve their financial future.


Find out more by following #FinancialFuture2018 and visiting www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness or MyMoney.gov.

Flood insurance is a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of flood damage. Check your coverage today.

Emergency Management Institute Offers Cyber Virtual Tabletop Exercise

FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Virtual Tabletop Exercise (VTTX) Program will offer three cyber security breach scenarios June 5, 6, and 7. The VTTX occurs 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET. To participate, send an email to Doug Kahn at douglas.kahn@fema.dhs.gov or call 301-447-7645. Also, send a courtesy copy email to the Integrated Emergency Management Branch at fema-emi-iemb@fema.dhs.gov or call 301-447-1381. Content is the same each day and participants would attend only one session. Additional information is available at https://training.fema.gov/programs/emivttx.aspx.


The VTTX:

- Is designed to examine the ability of federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions to a respond to a cyber attack

- Involves key personnel discussing simulated scenarios in an informal setting

- Can be used to assess plans, policies, training, and procedures during a cyber attack


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 10 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 FaceTime-based), but alternate ways to participate are also available upon request.


Reminder of Upcoming Deadlines

FEMA Invites Whole Community to Participate in Historic National Level Exercise

FEMA is conducting its 2018 National Level Exercise (NLE) for the whole community, inviting government agencies, private sector and non-profit organizations, and individuals to participate in the biennial exercise. The exercise, taking place April 30 – May 11, 2018, represents a key step towards implementing FEMA’s recently released 2018-2022 Strategic Plan.


Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria last fall reinforced our need to prepare for hurricanes, and NLE 2018 provides a well-timed opportunity to apply lessons from those storms in advance of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins on June 1.


There are many ways for individuals, businesses, and community organizations to participate in NLE 2018 and get better prepared for hurricanes. If you live or do business in an area vulnerable to hurricanes, it is important that you understand your risk, develop a preparedness plan, and take action. Find resources to prepare for hurricanes, as well as fact sheets and toolkits, at www.fema.gov/nle.



Staffing for Adequate and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants Application Period

The application period for the Fiscal Year 2017 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants is open, with $345 million in funding available to enhance the ability of recipients to attain and maintain 24-hour fire department staffing and to assure that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. Applications are being accepted through 5 p.m. EDT on Friday, April 27, 2018.

 

Volunteer, career, and combination fire departments are eligible to apply under the Hiring of Firefighters. Municipalities and fire districts may submit applications on behalf of fire departments when the fire department lacks the legal status to do so, e.g., when the fire department falls within the auspices of the municipality or district. Eligibility for Recruitment and Retention of Firefighters funding is limited to volunteer and combination fire departments. National, state, local, or tribal organizations representing the interests of volunteer firefighters and individual fire departments (volunteer or combination) may apply for assistance for regional projects.



Property Acquisition Open Space Collection Comment Period

FEMA recently listed a Federal Register Notice for public comments about information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the process of property acquisition and relocation for open space as part of FEMA's mitigation grant programs, monitoring requirements after a receiving a grant, and a direct grant to property owners for acquisition and demolition of severe repetitive loss structures. Comments may be submitted through the Federal Register at www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-03949 until April 30, 2018.



FEMA Seeks Feedback on National Incident Management System Resource Management Documents

FEMA’s National Integration Center released for public feedback a number of National Incident Management System (NIMS) Resource Management component documents that will enhance interoperability and the effectiveness of mutual aid. This National Engagement Period will conclude at 5 p.m. EDT on May 9, 2018. The National Engagement Period provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment on newly developed supplemental guidance.



Apply for National Emergency Management Advanced and Executive Academies

FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) is accepting applications until May 15, 2018 for the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy and the National Emergency Management Executive Academy.


For more information and to apply for the Advanced Academy, go to https://training.fema.gov/empp/applytoadvancedacademy.aspx or contact fema-empp-advanced-academy@fema.dhs.gov. For the Executive Academy, go to https://training.fema.gov/empp/applytoexecutiveacademy.aspx or contact fema-empp-executive-academy@fema.dhs.gov