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The “NIMS Implementation Fact Sheet for Nonprofit Organizations” identifies specific critical activities for non-profit organizations implementing the National Incident Management System (NIMS) into their organizational incident response plans.
The fact sheet identifies the specific activities that are involved in NIMS implementation for state, local, tribal and territorial nonprofit organizations.
The nonprofit organizations are valuable partners to FEMA and play an important role in preparedness, response and recovery efforts. FEMA National Integration Center updated the fact sheet with current NIMS implementation information to help guide and promote the incorporation of the National Incident Management System into nonprofit organizational incident response plans.
The fact sheet revisions are part of a collaborative effort comprised of a dozen nonprofit subject matter experts and stakeholders from various government levels.
The document and further NIMS-related information and resources are available on the FEMA website.
Today FEMA released an updated "National Incident Management System (NIMS) Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers."
NIMS is a key component of the national incident management capabilities and enables organizations from across the nation to work together during incidents of all kinds and sizes. Implementing NIMS nationwide is a fundamental part of building our national preparedness.
FEMA identified the need to update the guide in conjunction with the NIMS 2017 refresh and 2018 NIMS Implementation Objectives. The new document broadens the scope of the document and includes digital engagement and social media protocols as well as further explanation of the public information officer role within the Emergency Operations Center, Joint Information Center and Multi-Agency Coordination Group Command and Coordination structures.
The document and further NIMS-related information and resources are available on the FEMA website.
Throughout this year, the FEMA Office of Law Enforcement Engagement Integration continued its outreach efforts to the law enforcement community, focusing on the development of an internal stakeholder coalition that includes resilience programs such as the National Preparedness Directorate, Center for Domestic Preparedness, the Emergency Management Institute and the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, as well as the United States Fire Administration and the DHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives.
The coalition is building mutually beneficial partnerships between emergency management and law enforcement through several initiatives:
- Development of non-tactical policy, training and exercises.
- Creation of Resilience Law Enforcement Ambassadors.
- Creation of a Hybrid Emergency Response Officials Mentoring Program (HERO).
- Collaboration opportunities between law enforcement and faith-based sanctuaries.
The office also collaborated with the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium on an upcoming article outlining FEMA cybersecurity training resources for the National Association of School Resource Officers Journal of School Safety. Additionally, the consortium is planning dedicated training sessions for school resource officers and school administration officials.
The office continues to work with internal FEMA stakeholders, national law enforcement associations and police departments in a whole community approach to emergency management. Together, these groups will determine additional training needs, delivery methods and resources to enhance the nation’s security and resiliency to all hazards.
Federal funding for the National Guard to support the unprecedented Whole-of-America pandemic response is extended under Title 32, to March 31, 2021. Under Title 32 status, the National Guard remains under the command and control of their respective governors but is funded by the federal government. FEMA mission assigned the Department of Defense to support these deployments in response to the pandemic.
National Guard troops have helped distribute food and personal protective equipment, supported contact tracing and testing, and their medical teams have supported direct patient care and now will assist with vaccine administration.
To date, President Trump approved 48 state and three territorial requests for federal support to use the National Guard through March 31, 2021. The Federal cost share for these mission assignments, set in presidential memoranda, ranged from 75% to 100%.
To date, FEMA obligated $2.7 billion to the National Guard mission.
As a result of unemployment and the temporary closure of many non-essential businesses due to the virus, states have experienced reduced tax revenue and economic activity. This continued assistance keeps states from incurring substantial state active duty personnel costs for extended timeframes.
Visit the FEMA website to read more about the extension of federal funding for the National Guard.
This episode of the FEMA Podcast focuses on 2020 and the unprecedented year filled with immense challenges for the nation. As an agency, FEMA responded to floods, severe storms, wildfires and a historic hurricane season - all while fighting the ubiquitous COVID-19 pandemic. In this week's episode, FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor talks about the work FEMA has done, innovations and improvements we've made and the challenges met head-on this year.
FEMA Podcast is an audio series available to anyone interested in learning more about the agency, hearing about innovation in the field of emergency management, and listening to stories about communities and individuals recovering after disasters. The FEMA Podcast is available on Apple iTunes and Google Play to stream or download.
FEMA announced an additional $40 million in funding is available for the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program. This increases the funding amount for Fiscal Year 2020 from $160 million to $200 million. The increase in funding is a result of recovered funds – available funds for projects from previous grant cycles that were completed under budget or were not implemented.
This competitive grant program assists state, tribal and territorial governments as applicants in building a culture of preparedness by strengthening our nation’s ability to reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damage.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity is updated with the new grant amount. Additional details such as eligibility, funding guidelines and evaluation criteria have not changed and are available on FEMA.gov.
The application period opened Sept. 30. Eligible applicants must apply for funding using the new FEMA Grants Outcome (FEMA GO). All applications must be submitted in the FEMA Go Portal no later than 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 29, 2021. Applications received by FEMA after this deadline will not be considered for funding.
FEMA hosted a webinars series to provide applicants and sub-applicants an overview of FEMA pre-disaster hazard mitigation grant programs that included details about the agency’s funding priorities and common application errors and how to avoid them. The recorded webinars are available on the FEMA website.
The FEMA Community Engagement and Risk Communication team, based in the FEMA Risk Management Directorate, will host a 1-hour webinar, “Understanding Audiences to Inform Outreach,” at 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 17. The webinar highlights program elements, as well as risk communication and mitigation topics that are critical to strengthening community outreach efforts and encouraging mitigation action. Mapping and mitigation work is data-driven and geography based. Similarly, risk communication efforts that translate technical data into actionable messages are most effective when they are data-driven and targeted.
During this webinar, two FEMA regions will share how they used publicly available social media data to better understand audiences and shape outreach efforts. The webinar has been approved by the Association of State Floodplain Management for one continuing education credit.
To join the webinar, follow the link and use the password fZrPPpxt472.
You can also connect by dialing (202) 860-2110 and entering access code 173 472 1337#.
The Ready Campaign published its 2021 Preparedness Calendar that features observances and seasonal reminders to keep the public safe before, during and after disasters.
Ready.gov includes social media toolkits for many weather and climate events such as extreme heat, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and more that you can use. New this year, are direct links to either the organization that is sponsoring an annual observance or Ready’s preparedness information. We want to make it easy for you to keep others safe. Ready staff worked with our federal partners in developing the 2021 calendar, which will be translated in Spanish and published on Listo.gov in the coming days.
During the course of 2021, information on the various sites will be updated, providing you with just-in-time information that the public can use. This calendar is created and updated to make it easier for you to keep your constituents prepared. The information and social media resources found on the Ready and Listo websites are in the public domain and free to use.
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As temperatures drop, it’s important to begin preparing for colder months and the threats they present. Winter storms can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice and high winds. These conditions can create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning and even heart attacks from overexertion.
Winter storms can last a few hours or several days, and they can knock out heat, power and communication services. Older adults, young children and sick individuals are typically at greater risk during this time.
Taking preparedness actions now, such as winterizing your car and keeping an emergency supply kit in it to protect yourself and your family.
Knowing the signs and basic treatments for frostbite and hypothermia is also important. Frostbite can cause loss of feeling and color around the face, finger and toes, as well as numbness and firm or waxy skin. If you think you are experiencing frostbite, go to a warm room, soak in warm water and use body heat to warm yourself.
To read more, visit the FEMA Blog. For more information on how to stay safe in winter weather, visit Ready.gov.
FEMA Seeks Public Comment on NQS Position Titles
FEMA’s National Integration Center is seeking public feedback on National Qualification Systems Position titles and Task Books. This national engagement period will conclude at 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 7, 2021.
The position updates reflect stakeholder input on previously published documents from Nov. 2017. National engagement provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment on the draft document, to ensure that it is relevant for all implementing partners.
FEMA will host a series of 60-minute webinars to discuss changes to the NQS IMT positions and answer related questions.
Each stakeholder webinar will cover the same information; choose the session most convenient for you.
Advance registration is required due to space limitations. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. To register, click on your preferred webinar session from the list below:
If you require accommodations to participate in these events, please provide details in the Disability Related Accommodations field on the registration page or contact FEMA. Please make accommodation requests as early as possible. Late requests may not be possible to fulfill.
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National Dam Safety Technical Seminar
Registration is open for the 28th Annual National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar, “Risk Informed Decision Making and Benefit Cost Analysis for Dam and Levee Projects.” This seminar will be held virtually on FEMA Adobe Connect from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET on Feb. 16 - 19, 2021. Participants encouraged to apply include all dam and levee safety professionals, including Public and Private Dam owners/operators, Dam Safety Engineers, Land Use planners and emergency management officials.
Visit the Emergency Management Institute website to register for this seminar.
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FEMA Seeks Feedback on Emergency Operation Center Guidance Documents
FEMA’s National Integration Center is seeking public feedback on two emergency operations center (EOC) toolkit documents. The national engagement period starts on Dec. 1 and will conclude at 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 5, 2021.
The two EOC toolkit documents, "EOC How To Quick Reference Guide," and "EOC References and Tools," are a collection of guidance and best practices for emergency management, specifically EOC communities.
FEMA is hosting a series of three, 60-minute webinars to discuss the two EOC toolkit documents and answer related questions.
Each webinar will cover the same information.
Advance registration is required due to space limitations. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. To register, click on your preferred webinar session from the list below:
If you require accommodations to participate in these events, please provide details in the Disability Related Accommodations field on the registration page or contact FEMA. Please make accommodation requests as early as possible. We will try our best to fill late requests.
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FEMA Seeks Public Comment on Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101
FEMA seeks feedback on the updated “Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101: Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans,” which provides guidance on developing emergency operations plans and promotes a common understanding of the fundamentals of community-based, risk-informed planning and decision making to help planners examine a threat or hazard and produce integrated, coordinated and synchronized plans.
FEMA updated this guidance recently to align with new and updated policies and programs, providing additional tools and maintaining the flexibility and scalability of the document while expanding on the role of whole community partners.
FEMA will host a series of 60-minute webinar sessions to discuss changes to the updated CPG 101 and gather feedback from whole community partners. The sessions will include facilitated discussions with stakeholders to help improve the existing draft. A line numbered version of the CPG 101 is available to allow individuals to provide comments on specific areas within the document.
This national engagement period concludes at 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 25.
To review the document and learn more about the webinar sessions, visit the FEMA website.
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