FEMA Bulletin Week of July 6, 2020

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FEMA BULLETIN

Week of July 6, 2020

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In this Edition:

Important Dates & Reminders

July 8

Webinar: Meaning of the BRIC Name.


July 10

Webinar on state and local hazard mitigation plans at 2 p.m.


July 10

Hazard Mitigation Assistance External Stakeholder Working Group application deadline.


July 16

Tribal Webinar on Fire Management Assistance Grant Program and Policy Guide comment period.

FEMA Updates State and Local Hazard Mitigation Planning Policies

This year, FEMA is initiating updates of the state, local and territorial mitigation planning policies, also known as “Mitigation Plan Review Guides.” The updates guide the review and approval of these hazard mitigation plans. During this cycle, there are no updates to tribal mitigation policies.

 

The policies are updated to incorporate language related to new FEMA grant programs, as well as to make administrative updates and other changes to clarify requirements and improve grant and program procedures.

 

FEMA will host three, one-hour webinars for state, local and territorial partners to learn about the process for these policy updates. Each session includes the same information.

 

 

For questions about the webinars contact FEMA-MitPlan-Guide-Updates@fema.dhs.gov or the FEMA Regional Mitigation Planning Lead in your region. For more information on the planning policies, visit the FEMA website.


FEMA Hosts Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities Webinars

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) summer engagement series will feature FEMA subject matter experts and partners each week in July to discuss key elements of the newly developed program. The webinars will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. ET every Wednesday.

 

The virtual sessions are geared towards leaders in the public and private sectors interested in learning more. Topics include:

 

  • Week 2 (July 8): Meaning of the BRIC Name
  • Week 3 (July 15): BRIC and Building Codes
  • Week 4 (July 22): BRIC and Community Lifelines
  • Week 5 (July 29): BRIC and Nature-Based Solutions

 

These informative sessions are planned before the grant application cycle opens to give an overview of the process and eligible projects for funding. Specific dates and times for these sessions will be provided later this summer or early fall.

 

Learn more or register for the BRIC Summer Engagement Series.


CERT Volunteers Assist with Coronavirus Response

Teen and adult members of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) nationwide continue to help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, from making food deliveries to helping the homeless.

 

In Clay County, West Virginia and Cape Fear, North Carolina, teens are at the forefront of bringing aid to their communities. From making cloth face coverings and providing services to senior citizens to staffing food distribution sites, teen CERT members are adapting to make a difference in their communities.

 

In New York City, CERT members have many opportunities to pitch in. One of the main activities is to work with the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association and church volunteers to deliver food. Other activities include working with the Department of Aging to ensure COVID-19 guidance is available at senior centers, distributing and tracking sanitation supplies at childcare centers and helping to run pop-up food distribution centers for residents of New York City Housing Authority apartments.

 

The CERT program educates volunteers about preparing for hazards that may affect their area. It also trains members in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, search and rescue, team organization and helping with medical needs. FEMA creates programs, training, and tools to help CERT members be ready when disaster strikes.

 

For more stories of CERTs helping their communities, visit the FEMA website.


FEMA Offers Tips to Prepare for Extreme Heat

As temperatures increase, it is important to prepare for the extreme heat that summer can bring. Extreme heat is defined as a period of excessively hot weather, with higher than average temperatures for a region, combined with high humidity. Extreme heat events can happen anywhere in the United States. The following tips below can help you beat the heat:

 

  • Stay cool indoors by using air conditioning, if possible.
  • During extreme heat events, choose a cloth face covering that has breathable fabric, such as cotton, instead of polyester.
  • Avoid strenuous and high-energy activities.
  • If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
  • Wear loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing.
  • Check on family members and neighbors by phone or text to maintain social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  • Know the signs of heat-related illness like heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor how best to accommodate it.
  • Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees. Using fans could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.

To learn more about how to protect yourself from extreme heat, visit the FEMA website.


Upcoming Deadlines and Reminders

Hazard Mitigation Working Group Seeks New Members

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Division is accepting applications to join the External Stakeholder Working Group. The working group was established in 2016 to increase engagement and transparency with non-federal partners in hazard mitigation, including states, local communities and jurisdictions, tribes and territories.

 

To be considered as a member of the working group, download and complete the Expression of Interest form. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, however, to be considered for the 2021 to 2023 term, submit the completed form to FEMA-HMA-ESWG@fema.dhs.gov by July 10.

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FEMA Comment Period Open for Fire Management Assistance Grant Program and Policy Guide

FEMA is holding an open comment period for the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program and Policy Guide. A tribal webinar will also be held at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 16 to outline the policy and guide.

 

The 45-day public comment period ends on July 31. The draft guide and accompanying comments matrix are available on the FEMA website.  Submit the completed comment matrix by e-mail to FEMA-FMAG-comments@fema.dhs.gov

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FEMA Holds National Engagement Period for Resource Management

FEMA seeks public feedback on the draft of the National Incident Management System document, Guideline for Resource Management Preparedness. Feedback will be accepted until 5 p.m. ET on July 23. National engagement provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment on the draft document to ensure that it is relevant for all implementing partners.

 

To register for a webinar that outlines the guidance or to review the draft document visit the FEMA website.

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FEMA Training Campuses Open August 2

In March, FEMA suspended in-person, campus-based training delivery. FEMA plans a limited re-opening of its training campuses effective Aug. 2. FEMA continues to monitor conditions and will adhere to state and local guidance and restrictions. The agency will announce any necessary changes to each course no later than the Thursday prior to the week of a scheduled course.

 

FEMA’s top priority remains the health and safety of FEMA employees, instructors, students and visitors on campus, without compromising instruction quality and the student experience. If you are unable to comply with the precautions for any reason, contact FEMA to reschedule your training. Stay updated by visiting the FEMA website.