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With over 328 million people living and working in the United States, a major earthquake could cause devastation. Are you prepared? What you do to prepare now will determine how well you will survive and recover from the next big earthquake.
Join FEMA at 10:15 a.m. on Oct 15 and "Drop, Cover and Hold On" for International ShakeOut Day. At this time in each time zone, millions of people from all over the world will practice earthquake safety. You can ShakeOut when and where you want. While some ShakeOut drills and other activities may happen as usual, there are some new considerations:
- Where will you be for your drill? Together, at work, school or home? Consider videoconferencing.
- How will you incorporate COVID-19 health and safety guidelines into your activity?
- Is it better to have everyone participate all at once, or perhaps in staggered (or even repeated) dates and times?
Registered participants will receive information on how to plan their drill and involve others. When your drill begins, remember to Drop, Cover and Hold On! Set a stopwatch and commit to a full one-minute to practice something that can save your life.
For more information, visit ShakeOut.org or Ready.gov.
The International ShakeOut Day, every third Thursday of October, is a day of individual and community events. ShakeOut features the largest earthquake drill ever organized to inspire others to get ready for big earthquakes and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes.
New content is available on the FEMA app which lists the types of disasters common for an area and provides do-it-yourself mitigation tips. The tips are low-cost or no-cost and help prevent future losses after a disaster.
Know Your Risk
Enter your zip code or city name to view a list of common disasters in your area and get tips on how to prepare for disaster. Also, sign-up to receive severe weather, environmental and other public hazard alerts for up to five locations you care about.
Reduce Your Risk
Find low- or no-cost, do-it-yourself actions you can take to protect your home or business from: water damage, general purpose and earthquakes. In this new feature section, step-by-step instructions include tips such as how to:
- Brace a water heater.
- Prevent mold from growing and spreading.
- Secure furniture and other household items.
- Clean storm drains.
The FEMA app has been downloaded more than one million times on Google Play and is ranked 14 in the Weather category of the App Store. Using a mobile device, download the FEMA app for free from the App Store and Google Play.
FEMA is providing an additional chance for volunteer and combination fire departments to apply for funding under this year's Assistance to Firefighters COVID-19 Supplemental grant.
FEMA made $100 million available in funding for personal protective equipment (PPE) and related supplies to the fire service community to prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes reimbursement for expenditures made since Jan. 1, 2020.
Volunteer and combination fire departments are eligible to apply in this round even if they had a successful application in the first round earlier this year. However, applications must support new capabilities. Departments that applied in the first round but were unsuccessful must reapply to be considered for funding in this round. Applications from the first round will not automatically carry forward to this round for consideration.
FEMA will host live webinars at 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 13 and 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 15, demonstrating the application process and walking through the application question by question. The full training schedule is posted on the FEMA website.
FEMA will accept applications until 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 13. Remaining to be awarded are $31 million in funds. Find more information on this funding opportunity on the FEMA website.
On Oct. 1, FEMA announced key changes for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), to begin on Apr. 1, 2021. These changes include updated rate increases to comply with the premium rate caps established by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 and the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (HFIAA).
Beginning on April 1, 2021, policy renewal premiums will increase an average of 10.2%. These amounts do not include the HFIAA Surcharge, or any additional policy fees. Nearly 80% of NFIP policyholders pay a full-risk rate and will not experience this rate increase.
In addition to the rate increases, revisions to the NFIP “Flood Insurance Manual,” which is updated twice a year, went into effect on Oct. 1. FEMA incorporated the NFIP program changes published in April 2020 into this edition. Visit FEMA.gov to review the NFIP Flood Insurance Manual.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives is hosting a webinar to highlight the contributions of faith and community leaders, our frontline service providers who diligently work to counter the detrimental effects of modern day slavery in all of its forms. The TVPA is the first comprehensive law in the United States to address the transnational crime of human trafficking, child sexual exploitation and forced labor.
The webinar will be held at 2 p.m. ET on Oct. 15. Register on FEMA Adobe Connect.
Presenters will discuss the:
For information, contact partnerships@fema.dhs.gov.
The Department of Homeland Security is celebrating the 17th National Cybersecurity Awareness month. This campaign helps all Americans access resources to stay safe and secure online, increasing the nation’s resilience to cyber threats.
This year’s theme is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart” and encourages Americans to enhance cybersecurity in every aspect of daily life. Since all online devices are potentially vulnerable, each weekly theme supports the overarching theme.
- Week of Oct 5: If You Connect It, Protect It.
- Week of Oct 12: Securing Devices at Home and Work.
- Week of Oct 19: Securing Internet-Connected Devices.
- Week of Oct 26: The Future of Connected Devices.
These messages serve as a reminder to do your part in promoting cybersecurity awareness in our homes and our communities. For more information, visit the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month homepage.
October is National Disability Employee Awareness Month, a national, annual campaign to increase disability employment issue awareness and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme, "Increasing Access and Opportunity," mirrors FEMA’s commitment to providing an inclusive workplace.
Throughout the month, FEMA will be engaging in activities that educate employees on disability employment issues and the role they play in fostering a disability-friendly workplace culture.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy but is observed at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Employers and employees can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month during October and throughout the year by going to dol.gov/NDEAM.
FEMA has provided financial guidance for all disasters declared on or after Oct. 1, 2020. This guidance reflects the 2021 Consumer Price Index adjustment of certain indicators for the Individual Assistance and Public Assistance programs.
The index adjusted annually for inflation by the U.S. Department of Labor—has increased 1.3% for Fiscal Year 2021. Therefore, the following FEMA program amounts have been changed:
- The maximum amount of assistance for both housing assistance and other needs assistance under the Individuals and Households Program is $36,000.
- The statewide per capita impact indicator under the Public Assistance program is $1.55.
- The countywide per capita indicator under the Public Assistance program is $3.89.
- The maximum amount of small project grants under the Public Assistance program is $132,800.
- The minimum amount for project worksheets under the Public Assistance program is $3,320.
The increases remain in effect for the next 12 months. For more information visit the FEMA website.
FEMA’s National Integration Center is seeking public feedback on 18 resource typing documents that enhance interoperability and the effectiveness of mutual aid. This national engagement period will conclude at 5 p.m. ET on Nov 6.
The 18 various positions and teams for public works includes engineers and debris and damage assessment specialists. These resource typing documents will facilitate the sharing of deployable public works positions and teams at all jurisdictional levels and will support the augmentation of the FEMA workforce during disaster operations.
To provide comments on the drafts, complete the feedback form on the FEMA website and submit the form to fema-nims@fema.dhs.gov by 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 6.
Resource typing is a key component of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and enables organizations from across the country to work together during incidents of all types and sizes. Implementing NIMS resource management principles is a fundamental part of building our national preparedness. NIMS Job Titles/Position Qualifications and Resource Typing Definitions define minimum qualifications and capabilities for personnel and their equipment within their assigned teams to manage all threats and hazards, regardless of incident type or size.
Director of the DHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives, Kevin Smith, visits local assistance center.
In late September, the DHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives Director Kevin Smith, traveled to Northern California to highlight and support the work of national, state and local faith-based organizations serving Butte, Santa Cruz and Sonoma counties. While national attention floats to the next pending major disaster, it is easy to forget the size and breadth of the ongoing wildfire relief efforts. With more than 18,000 firefighters on the frontlines, and thousands of people displaced from their homes, the work of faith-based groups continue providing aid without fanfare or recognition.
Director Smith met with leaders of houses of worship that opened their doors to the community offering food, hydration and shelter. These organizations also set up distribution of critical supplies like air filters and portable fans. Hundreds of churches collaborated and rallied to the fight to care for responders and survivors converting worship halls to offer pews and cots for rest, while utilizing parking areas as massive distribution lines to feed those in need. Two specific churches, Felton Presbyterian Church and Redwood Christian Center, partnered with national relief organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse establishing staging areas for teams to help survivors sift through ashes to find precious belongings.
FEMA is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to host a virtual webinar series on "Alliances for Equity." Every Wednesday in October, this series will discuss current efforts to adopt equitable practices across the field of resilience. Each session is from 1 to 3:30 p.m. ET. The topics include:
- Oct 7 – “Let’s Talk Equity.”
- Oct 14 – “Prioritizing Equity.”
- Oct 21 – “Planning for an Equitable Future.”
- Oct 28 – “Building a Foundation for Action.”
The Resilient Nation Partnership Network and NOAA will be joined by representatives and participating agencies from the National League of Cities, Department of Veteran Affairs, Institute for Sustainable Communities, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, AARP, International Code Council and many more. Visit the event website for more information about the series, register and to review the agenda and speakers schedule.
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On Oct. 3, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) celebrated 50 years. NOAA's contributions include cutting-edge research and technologies that helps us to better understand planet Earth.
FEMA is a proud partner of NOAA. To see a video message that includes a message from FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor, visit the NOAA YouTube channel.
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FEMA Offers Webinars on How to Apply to the NEP
FEMA is now accepting nominations to the National Exercise Program. Fall nomination round submissions are due by Nov.1 and decisions will be sent by Dec. 1. FEMA will hold additional exercise nomination rounds in spring and fall of 2021.
FEMA is hosting a 60-minute webinar for state, local, tribal, territorial and other whole community partners to discuss the nomination process. The webinar will be held at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The webinar topics will also include the support that NEP can provide for conducting exercises in a COVID-19 environment and the proposed 2021-2022 Principals’ Strategic Priorities.
To participate in the webinar:
For questions, send an email to the National Exercise Division.
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FEMA Co-Hosts Webinar on the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
October is National Community Mitigation Planning month and in honor of the 20-year anniversary of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, FEMA is co-hosting a webinar with the Natural Hazard Center. The session is “The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000: Twenty Years of Promise, Pitfalls and Progress from a Planning Perspective.”
From 1-2 p.m. ET on Oct. 13, a distinguished group of researchers and practitioners will reflect on the past two decades highlighting various hazards that affect our nation. There will also be an analysis of the pitfalls and progress that has been made to reduce hazard risk in our communities. Register for the webinar online.
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FEMA Holds Comment Period for Draft Guidance on Inundated and Submerged Roads
FEMA and the Federal Highway Administration developed guidance for federal assistance for the restoration of inundated and submerged roads damaged or destroyed by a declared major disaster. The draft policy and accompanying comments matrix are located on the FEMA website.
FEMA will accept public comments until Oct. 14. FEMA requests that all comments be submitted to FEMA-Recovery-PA-Policy@fema.dhs.gov using the accompanying comments matrix. Any comments received during the public comment period will be reviewed and considered for the final version of the policy.
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FEMA Holds Comment Period for Mitigation Planning Updates
On Aug. 28, FEMA published updates to the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program and mitigation planning regulations for public comment in the Federal Register. The updates synchronize the requirements enacted by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12).
The 60-day public comment period is open until Oct. 27. Visit Regulations.gov and provide comments to Docket ID: FEMA-2019-0011.
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