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On July 29, FEMA will launch the redesigned fema.gov website. The redesign focused on improving the user experience with intuitive navigation options to help users find information more easily. It also features a geo-filtering option to quickly sort the most relevant updates for location.
Below are a few of the new elements designed to set a new bar for simplicity and consistency across government services:
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User focus. FEMA.gov menus now organize content by our key audiences and their information needs. Site visitors can better identify where to find the information they are looking for.
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Getting local. A new geo-filter search function allows people to enter a state or zip code and see active disaster declarations, alerts, press releases and other information specific to their location.
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Modern web design. The new FEMA.gov makes use of the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS), which helps the federal government design and build better online experiences for the American public. The launch of the new site is a first big step towards creating a unified, accessible and experience for our audiences across all of our digital platforms and media.
The redesign will bring the site in compliance with federally mandated requirements, to include those required by the 21st Century IDEA Act, Section 508 and Plain Language legislation to make FEMA’s resources accessible to everyone.
In the coming months, FEMA will work to update the mobile version of the website (m.fema.gov), expand content and incorporate feedback into the new site. Users are encouraged to provide comments and feedback to the FEMA Web Team.
July 26 marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This sweeping civil rights legislation expanded on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities by federally funded entities.
The ADA covers all aspects of public life, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations and telecommunications. ADA provisions cover approximately 20% of the U.S. population who have a disability, which is more than 56 million Americans. The ADA was amended in 2008 to ensure the meaning and interpretation of the ADA definition of "disability" would be broadly construed and applied without extensive analysis so that all individuals with disabilities could receive the law’s protections.
FEMA is committed to helping people before, during and after disasters, making sure that people with disabilities have access to, and can benefit from, our programs and services. This commitment ensures that we treat everyone with compassion, fairness, integrity and respect as we work with each other, stakeholders and the public.
Watch the video We Prepare Every Day, which includes open captioning, a certified deaf interpreter and descriptive audio for viewers who are blind or have low vision.
To read about 30 ways FEMA supports emergency preparedness, response and recovery for people with disabilities, visit the FEMA Blog. To learn more about the ADA, including the full text of the law, visit ADA.gov.
On July 23, FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination will host a call with disability stakeholders to provide an overview of what the agency has accomplished in support of emergency preparedness, response and recovery for people with disabilities. Join the call to learn about the programs FEMA offers and to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The call will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. ET. To participate:
- Call (800) 289-0462 (toll free) 5 to 10 minutes early
- Participant passcode: 532093
- Captions
For questions, contact FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination.
Every year on July 17, volunteers from around the country travel to FEMA Headquarters in Washington D.C. to celebrate Partnership Day. Partnership Day brings together governmental, voluntary, faith-based, community-based, philanthropic and private sector partners who support survivors before, during and after disasters.
Keeping the safety of all in mind during the current pandemic, the 2020 Partnership Day event will be held virtually as a month-long virtual celebration. This year, FEMA will be showcasing the extraordinary work our nonprofit, faith-based and private sector partners do supporting survivors with a virtual exhibit. These videos will be featured on FEMA's YouTube channel from July 17 to Aug. 17. Visit the Partnership Day Virtual Exhibit Hall to learn more.
FEMA’s Ready Campaign promotes National Preparedness Month each September to encourage individual, family and community disaster and emergency planning. The 2020 theme is “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.”
This year the theme and national Public Service Advertisement, done in coordination the Ad Council, will follow the 2019 animation series stressing family preparedness efforts. This year’s campaign will also focus on personal preparedness during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Weekly themes and graphics for September will also be released later this month.
Earlier this year, the Ready Campaign and the Ad Council used those same animation concepts to create a series of animated videos and graphics to slow the spread of COVID-19. Videos such as “Plan Ahead for How to Deal with Disasters During Coronavirus,” “Stay Home,” and “Evacuate During Coronavirus” are all available at Ready.gov. The full videos can also be downloaded in broadcast quality from the Ad Council website.
The updated Introduction "Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of Radiological Emergency Response and Preparedness in Support of Nuclear Power Plants" (NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 2.) training course is now available. It contains information on emergency planning rules for nuclear powerplants and gives Reasonable Assurance guidance. It focuses on preparedness for radiological incidents at commercial nuclear power plants that could impact public health and safety.
The course is open to FEMA Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) community stakeholders, including State, local, and tribal government offsite response organizations (OROs), FEMA staff, Licensee OROs and other supporting federal government agencies.
Register for the course on the FEMA website. For questions or comments on the course, send an email to FEMA.
FEMA Hosts BRIC Webinars
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) summer engagement series is featuring FEMA subject matter experts and partners each week in July to discuss key elements of the newly developed program. The webinars are held from 2 to 3 p.m. ET every Wednesday.
Topics for the remainder of the series include:
- 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. Learn more or register for the BRIC Summer Engagement Series.
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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." 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.
FEMA is also hosting a tribal webinar for the open comment period at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 23. Register on FEMA Adobe Connect or call in by dialing 800-320-4330 and entering the PIN: 776979.
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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.
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