FEMA Bulletin Week of January 25, 2021

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FEMA BULLETIN

Week of January 25, 2021

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In this Edition:

Important Dates & Reminders

Jan. 27

Personal Assistance Services call at 1 p.m. ET.


Jan. 27

Webinar on Youth Preparedness Council applications. 


Jan. 28

Webinar: Preventing Exploitation and Human Trafficking Among Youth in a Pandemic at 2 p.m. ET


Jan. 29

Grants Outcome Portal closes at 3 p.m. ET for hazard mitigation grants.

FEMA Hosted Public Meeting to Discuss COVID-19 Response

 

FEMA hosted a virtual public meeting on Jan. 15 with members of the private sector to discuss ongoing COVID-19 response issues involved with the Defense Production Act.

 

This meeting provided an overview of an agreement established in August 2020 as part of the Defense Production Act. This five-year agreement aims to enhance coordination and cooperation between the federal government and private industry in response to COVID-19 and future pandemics.

 

The voluntary agreement allows the federal government and the private sector to share more information than is typically allowed under antitrust laws. This includes information about supply chains and challenges, manufacturer capacity and pricing consideration. FEMA established one plan of action under the agreement, focusing on PPE manufacture, allocation and distribution. Several subcommittees and plans of action are being created under the agreement to include manufacturers and distributors of health and medical resources to coordinate efficient use of resources and delivery of supplies to the American public.

 

Any comments or questions on the voluntary agreement can be emailed to FEMA.


FEMA Podcast Episode 87: Incoming Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton

podcast

 

This episode of the FEMA podcast features an interview with Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton about leadership transition within the agency and how it impacts FEMA's mission. 

 

Visit the FEMA website to listen to this podcast episode. 


FEMA Seeks Public Servants to Grow its Workforce

 

FEMA is participating in several free hiring events for public servants. Eligible applicants are encouraged to join an event to explore federal career opportunities.

 

FEMA Corps Fast Track Hiring Event

 

National Peace Corps Association Career Fair

  • 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET, Jan. 28.
  • Audience: Returned Peace Corps Volunteer ONLY.
  • Access the Peace Corps website to learn more and to register for the event.

 

Vets 2 Industry Military Networking Event

 

Interested applicants from FEMA Corps, Peace Corps, current armed forces, veterans and their spouses should send resumes to FEMA.


FEMA Releases Continuity Exercise Starter Kits

 

FEMA has released the Continuity of Operations Exercise Starter Kits to help jurisdictions and organizations be more prepared to continue to perform essential functions and provide services when typical operations are derailed.

 

Groups and various levels of government across the nation face a full spectrum of threats with disruptive impacts and adequate warning of a threat is not always available. Exercises play a vital role in preparedness by enabling partners, stakeholders and elected officials to shape planning, test and validate plans and capabilities and identify and address gaps and areas for improvement. 

 

The FEMA National Continuity Programs, partnered with the agency’s National Exercise Division, which administers the National Exercise Program, to produce separate versions of the kits for federal and whole community partners.


Upcoming Deadlines and Reminders

 

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants Deadline Approaches

 

Applications for FEMA’s fiscal year 2020 Flood Mitigation Assistance and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant programs must be submitted using the FEMA GO portal. All applications must be entered no later than 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 29.

 

If an applicant experiences technical problems using FEMA GO that are outside their control, FEMA must be notified by 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 27. For technical problems, email FEMAGO@fema.dhs.gov. Applicants and sub-applicants who report issues will receive a ticket number from the FEMA GO helpdesk. Provide this number when asking for a status update. 

 

State agencies, local and tribal governments should contact their State Hazard Mitigation Officer to learn about application requirements. Sub-applicants should contact their state applicant to confirm the deadline. Any applications received in the FEMA GO portal after the deadline will not be considered for funding.

 

To learn more about FEMA GO or to submit an application in the portal, visit FEMA.gov. For programmatic questions about Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants, call 866-222-3580.

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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. 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 Holds Disability Stakeholder Call on Personal Assistance Services

 

In June 2020, FEMA released the "Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Pandemic Planning Considerations Guide" to help state, local, tribal and territorial partners provide shelter services and maintain the health and well-being of disaster survivors and workers in a pandemic environment.

 

FEMA recently released a personal assistance service addendum to the original guidance that will assist state, local, tribal and territorial partners in anticipating and attending to the needs of people with disabilities.

 

Personal assistance services are provided to individuals of all ages with physical, sensory, intellectual, learning and/or other disabilities to help with activities of daily living, such as grooming, eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, taking medication and communicating. Personal Assistance services also help people with disabilities access programs and services.

 

Join the Office of Disability Integration and Coordination call at 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 27 to learn more about how providing personal assistance services at the onset of a disaster sheltering mission can reduce health and safety risks for people with disabilities:

  • Call: 800-289-0459
  • Participant Passcode: 401190

At the start time of the event, please login to the event.

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FEMA Seeks Feedback on Incident Complexity Guide

 

The FEMA National Integration Center is seeking feedback on the 2021 NIMS Incident Complexity Guide: Planning, Preparedness and Training. This national engagement period will conclude at 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 12. National engagement provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment on the draft document ensuring that it is relevant for all implementing partners.

 

To provide comments on the drafts, complete the feedback form and submit the form to the FEMA National Integration Center.

 

To review this document, visit FEMA.gov.

 

The National Integration Center will host a 60-minute webinar to discuss the NIMS Incident Complexity Guide and answer related questions. The webinar is open to the whole community. Advance registration is required due to space limitations. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, click on the webinar session below.

 

 

If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please provide details in the Disability Related Accommodations field on the registration page, or contact the FEMA National Integration Center.

 

Please make accommodation requests as early as possible. Late requests will be accepted, but they may not be possible to fulfill.

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DHS Webinar: Preventing Exploitation and Human Trafficking Among Youth in a Pandemic

 

The President issued a proclamation designating January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. To commemorate the month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives is hosting a webinar from 2 to 3:15 p.m. on Jan. 28.


How to Join the Webinar: 

 

A recording of the webinar will be sent by email to all registered participants in case they are unable to attend or wish to share it.

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FEMA Announces Firefighters Grant Application Open

 

The funding notice for the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA fiscal year 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is available. The application period for nearly $320 million in funding will remain open until 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 12.

 

FEMA released the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program on Dec. 29. The notice and technical assistance documents for this program are available at Grants.gov and on FEMA.gov. Additional information about upcoming webinars to assist applicants is also available on FEMA.gov.

 

Any applicants requiring assistance should visit that website, send an email to the FEMA AFG Program Help Desk or call (866) 274-0960.

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FEMA is Accepting Youth Preparedness Council Applications

 

The FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Division is accepting applications for the Youth Preparedness Council. The online application process opened on Jan. 18 and students must complete their applications by 11:59 p.m. PT on March 7. 

 

For more information on the program and the application process, join the information session via Zoom at 2 p.m. ET on Jan. 27. 

  • Meeting ID: 161 775 5841
  • Passcode: FEMAYPC

Or dial-in by your location:

  • +1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)
  • +1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
  • Or find your local number on the Zoom Website

 

If you know a teen interested in preparedness and community service, encourage them to apply

 

To learn more about the Youth Preparedness Council, visit Ready.gov.

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FEMA Announces $35 Million for Fire Prevention and Safety Grants

 

The funding notice has been released for $35.5 million to support the 2020 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants. These grants are part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, which support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The application period for the program opens at 8 a.m. ET on Jan. 26 and closes at 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 28.

 

The notice of funding opportunity is available at www.grants.gov. For more information on the Fire Prevention and Safety grants, go to FEMA.gov.

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