This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The Agency remembers, and will never forget, those who lost their lives on that devastating day.
FEMA honors the courage of all responders who were willing to put themselves in harm's way to help others.
Visit FEMA's Sept. 11 20th Anniversary multi-media webpage to read more about FEMA's response efforts and hear from FEMA staff who served that day.
Fourteen members of Congress are serving as 2021 co-sponsors for the 2021 National Preparedness Month. Throughout September, the FEMA Bulletin will feature statements from these members.
Representative Peter DeFazio, Chair, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee:
"This September, we once again mark National Preparedness Month. As we commemorate this occasion, we do so against the backdrop of increasing extreme weather events that are fueled by climate change and have left communities across the nation devastated. From worsening wildfires out West, to stronger hurricanes in the Gulf and East Coasts, to more frequent flooding in the Midwest, Americans in every corner of the nation know what it’s like to experience a natural disaster. But the good news is that we can take actions now to be prepared for when disaster strikes. As chair of the committee with jurisdiction over FEMA, I encourage every American to use this month to get prepared, talk to friends and family, and come up with a plan so we can protect those we love."
Representative Sam Graves, Ranking Member, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee:
"From North Missouri to every far corner of the country, no one knows just when or where the next disaster may fall. National Preparedness Month is an important reminder that being prepared to protect our homes, communities, businesses, and loved ones is critical to saving lives and livelihoods. I urge everyone to use the guidance from FEMA, as well as state and local emergency preparedness officials, to ensure that they are as prepared as possible for disasters."
Representative Dina Titus, Chair, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management:
"September marks National Preparedness Month and serves as a reminder to revisit and reassess our personal emergency plans and make any necessary updates. Currently, communities across the country are facing devastating storms, wildfires, and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, making it more important than ever that families invest in and prepare for emergencies at home just as we do at the federal level. As Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, I am honored to participate as a 2021 National Preparedness Month Congressional Co-Chair to raise awareness about how to make a plan, be prepared, and stay safe."
Representative Daniel Webster, Ranking Member, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management:
"Disaster preparedness is critical for protecting lives and communities. Floridians are not strangers to the terrible power and ravages of hurricanes and tropical storms. It is critical for families, businesses and individuals to be ready and prepared before disaster strikes. During this National Preparedness Month, I encourage everyone to have necessary supplies and a Preparedness Plan."
Visit Ready.gov to see the list of 14 congressional co-chairs who are helping promote National Preparedness Month throughout the country. You too can help share preparedness messaging by using the social media safety graphics during the month of September.
FEMA continues to maximize available COVID-19 assistance by retroactively reimbursing 100% of costs to support the safe opening and operation of eligible facilities.
The funding is available to state, local, tribal and territorial government entities and certain private nonprofit organizations for expenses incurred from Jan. 20, 2020 through Dec. 31.
Facilities that might be eligible for safe reopening and operation costs may include schools, medical facilities and government facilities open to the public.
Reimbursement is exclusive to COVID-19 emergency and major disaster declarations through FEMA’s Public Assistance program. Items that may be eligible for reimbursement include face coverings, Personal Protective Equipment, cleaning and disinfection, COVID-19 diagnostic testing, screening and temperature scanning and portable temporary physical barriers for social distancing.
For additional information on FEMA’s updated Safe Opening and Operation interim policy, visit FEMA.gov.
FEMA updated the “Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101: Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans.” The document provides guidelines on developing emergency operations plans and promotes a common understanding of the fundamentals of community-based, risk-informed planning and decision making. The guide will help planners examine a threat or hazard and produce integrated, coordinated and synchronized plans.
Since the guide’s most recent revision in 2010, practitioners have identified successful practices from real-world events and exercises that can inform the planning process. CPG 101 Version 3 builds on these lessons learned, as well as pertinent new doctrine.
To assist with the rollout, FEMA will host a series of 60-minute webinar sessions to discuss the update and key changes to CPG 101 with whole community partners. These webinars will highlight the changes in the document and help planners at all levels utilize the principles, concepts, tools and process from the CPG 101.
Advance registration is required and on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, click on the preferred session:
To download the document and learn more about and register for the webinar sessions, visit FEMA.gov.
FEMA has awarded $6 million in grants to help enhance the nation’s ability to respond to and recovery from all-hazards events. Three different recipients will receive grants from the fiscal year 2021 Homeland Security National Training Program Continuing Training Grants.
This highly competitive program attracts applicants from state, local, tribal and territorial governments, along with eligible non-profit organizations to include colleges and universities. In fiscal year 2021, 15 eligible applicants competed, and FEMA is making four awards:
FEMA will host the inaugural Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Users Conference from 10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. ET on Sept. 15. The free online conference supports Alerting Authorities by providing the tools and skills needed to create effective alerts and become confident IPAWS users.
At the conference, learn more about IPAWS Technical Support Services, best practices for alerting, the responsibilities of Alerting Authorities, a recap of the National IPAWS test, and new and emerging technologies in public alerting from IPAWS experts, partners and social scientists.
The IPAWS Users Conference will convene on Hopin, a platform to create virtual and in-person event experiences. Attendees will need to create a free account to participate. Once an account is created, users will be registered for the conference. To review the conference schedule and join the event, visit the IPAWS-Hopin webpage.
FEMA released four educational videos to help the public better under FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA created the videos after identifying common misconceptions through casework and research.
The videos are available on FEMA’s YouTube channel and covers:
The Claims Process - gives an overview of the process for filing a flood insurance claim after a flood, including:
- Documentation tips and reminders.
- The role of a flood adjuster.
- Cost estimate of damages and proof of loss.
Basements - Describes how basements are defined under the program, including:
- National Flood Insurance Program’s definition of a basement.
- Types of below-ground spaces which are considered a basement.
- Types of items and basement furnishings which have coverage.
Flood Risk - Provides an overview of tools and considerations for assessing flood risk, including:
- An introduction to FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Map and flood zones.
- Considerations for homes outside of high-risk areas.
- Urban flooding risks.
When Flood Insurance is Required: Explains when flood insurance is required rather than when it is simply recommended, including:
- An introduction to Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Special Flood Hazard Areas.
- Mandatory purchase requirements for federally backed mortgages.
- Insurance’s effect on eligibility for future disaster assistance.
- Reasons to insure properties when there is no requirement.
For more information visit FEMA.gov.
On Sept. 10, FEMA published the final rule in the Federal Register that includes an update to the Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs and mitigation planning regulations. The rule incorporates requirements enacted by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12) and reflect uniform administrative requirements.
FEMA implemented most of these changes administratively through an update to the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance in 2013. Codifying the changes in federal regulations reduces mitigation program complexities. The updates include replacing outdated terms and definitions that better align with legal requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 2 part 200: Uniform Administrative Guidance.
The update to outdated terms and definitions impacts FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Flood Mitigation Assistance program regulations, as well as the property acquisition and relocation for open space and mitigation planning regulations.
The final rule will be effective on Oct. 1 and can be viewed at Regulations.gov by using the Docket ID: FEMA-2019-0011.
Community and faith-based organizations can help diversify FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. The CERT program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area. It also trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.
CERTs are pivotal in building personal and community resilience, so it is essential that all groups feel at ease accessing resources. That’s why a fact sheet about CERTs and basic training is available in six languages. In addition to English, these materials are now available in Korean, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Vietnamese. All are free of charge.
The fact sheet highlights the benefits CERTs bring to the community. Basic training materials, which include extensive instructor and participant manuals, are also available in multiple languages.
Numerous studies have shown that disasters disproportionately impact historically underserved communities, which often include populations where English is not the primary language. In fact, the latest U.S. Census Bureau American Home Survey shows that 25 million individuals are considered limited English proficient in the U.S. CERT Volunteers who speak languages other than English can be a valuable resource for both first responders and community members.
Organizations can share these new CERT materials with those they work with and serve. Order your free CERT materials in multiple languages now! You can get your copies online or through the FEMA publications warehouse online ordering platform.
FEMA Announces Funding Opportunities for BRIC and FMA Grant Programs
FEMA posted funding notices for two hazard mitigation grant programs for $1.16 billion.
The Flood Mitigation Assistance and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities provides funds to states, local communities, tribes and territories for eligible mitigation activities to strengthen our nation’s ability to build a culture of preparedness. These programs fund projects that invest in a more resilient nation, reduce disaster suffering and avoid future disaster costs.
The application period opens on Sept. 30 and the funding notices are available on Grants.gov.
Eligible applicants must apply for funding using FEMA Grants Outcomes, the agency’s grants management system. Submit applications in FEMA Grants Outcome Portal no later than 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 28, 2022. Applications received by FEMA after this deadline will not be considered for funding.
Interested applicants should contact their hazard mitigation officer for more information. For more information visit FEMA.gov.
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FEMA Offers Exercise Assistance to Stakeholders
FEMA is accepting requests for exercise support through the National Exercise Program. State, local, tribal and territorial jurisdictions can request no-cost assistance for exercise design, development, conduct and evaluation to validate capabilities across all mission areas.
FEMA is hosting webinars for all interested governments and other community partners on the exercise support process.
Please visit the webinar webpage to register. The webinar dates are:
- 3 p.m. ET on Sept. 15.
- 4 p.m. ET on Sept. 23.
- 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 1.
Fall 2021 requests for support are due no later than Nov. 1. To submit a request for exercise support, download the nomination form, then email the completed form with any supporting documentation to NEP@fema.dhs.gov. Awardees will be notified by Dec. 10. FEMA will hold additional exercise support rounds in the spring and fall of 2022.
For questions, contact FEMA at NEP@fema.dhs.gov.
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FEMA Seeks Public Comments About the Community Rating System
FEMA posted in the Federal Register a Request for Information to gather public feedback about ways the agency could consider modifying, streamlining and/or innovating to improve the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System. The comment period will close Sept. 22.
These efforts aim ensure the Community Rating System program includes necessary, properly tailored and up-to-date requirements that effectively:
- Reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property.
- Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.
To submit written comments, use Docket ID: FEMA-2021-0021 in the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions on the page and contact the Regulations.gov Help Desk if you have technical issues.
For additional information on the Community Rating System Request for Information, visit FEMA.gov.
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