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FEMA recently launched a new virtual training module: “Preparing the Nation for Space Weather Events.” The course is available as an online independent study course via the Emergency Management Institute’s website.
The course builds on the 2019 Federal Operating Concept for Impending Space Weather Events. It covers:
- The types of events that present potential dangers.
- The types of systems that may experience disruptions.
- Case studies with examples of historical space weather events and their impacts.
- Information on the activities and analysis that go into developing and producing Space Weather Forecast products.
As a companion to the Federal Operating Concept for Impending Space Weather Events, emergency managers will better understand how to identify risks to their organization, implement mitigation actions and develop contingency operating plans in the event of a disruptive space weather event.
This course is appropriate for emergency managers at all levels.
For more information or to take the course, visit the course page on the Emergency Management Institute website. For search purposes, the course code is IS-66.
FEMA’s updated Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide is now in Spanish, updates include alignment to new agency programs and initiatives.
Originally released in April 2022 with the State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide, the Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide reflects programmatic and administrative regulatory changes. The agency routinely updates the policies to continually improve and better support stakeholders in meeting federal requirements when creating hazard mitigation plans.
Visit fema.gov to view the document.
The updated policies facilitate consistent evaluation and approval of state and local hazard mitigation plans and promote mitigation planning and risk-informed decision-making. They also support stakeholders in meeting federal requirements with their hazard mitigation plans to receive certain types of funding.
These are the next generation of policies that reinforce resilience as a whole-community effort that builds state and local capabilities to plan for long-term risk reduction, climate change and equitable outcomes. Changes to state and local policies include:
- Inclusion of key priorities such as climate adaptation, equity, resilience and building codes.
- Updated guidance and procedures that support states seeking enhanced status. Enhanced states demonstrate a comprehensive mitigation program and capability to manage additional federal mitigation funding.
- Incorporates new FEMA grant programs, such as Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post-Fire and the Rehabilitation of High-Hazard Potential Dams program.
- Strengthened connection with Fire Management Assistance Grant program.
- Alignment with national initiatives and programs such as the National Mitigation Investment Strategy.
- A renewed focus on resilience to support communities in creating holistic plans that will help the whole community understand the importance of mitigation and develop mitigation actions based on current and future risks and capabilities.
The policies will become effective for all mitigation plan approvals on April 19, 2023. This provides a one-year transition period for state and local governments to meet the new requirements.
As of March 31, 85% of the nation’s population live in communities with current mitigation plans. FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plans are required for certain types of federal grant funding.
The policies are the official interpretation of the requirements in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), as amended and other federal statutes as well in federal regulations, specifically Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations Part 201 Mitigation Planning.
FEMA published the “Canine Detection Team – Explosives” resource typing document and “Canine Handler – Explosives” job title/position qualification document. These National Incident Management System (NIMS) Resource Typing Definitions provide explosive detection support for law enforcement operations.
The “Canine Detection Team – Explosives” is responsible for conducting screening and searches to detect explosives and explosives-related substances and assist in bomb crime scene investigations. The “Canine Handler – Explosives” job title/position qualification document ensures those qualified have successfully completed canine handling in the explosives detection discipline and is part of a canine explosive-detection team.
To review the documents and for more information, including the full-scope of Search and Rescue resource typing definitions, visit the Resource Typing Library Tool (RTLT).
Resource typing is a key component of NIMS and enables organizations from across the country to work together during incidents of all types and sizes. Implementing NIMS resource management principles across the nation is a fundamental part of building our national preparedness.
How to Use Mitigation Planning for Increased Resilience
FEMA has a job aid to help emergency management partners increase resilience and build capabilities when updating hazard mitigation plans, Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (THIRA) and the Stakeholder Preparedness Process (SPR). THIRA/SPR submissions are due by Dec. 31.
The Increasing Resilience Using THIRA/SPR and Mitigation Planning Job Aid shows how to connect hazard mitigation planning with THIRA and SPR. Mitigation plans and THIRA/SPR are key tools to reduce risk. A hazard mitigation plan guides state, local, tribal and territorial government decision makers on long-term actions that reduce risk to natural hazards.
Partners update mitigation plans and THIRA/SPR on a regular basis. Mitigation plans are updated every five years. Visit fema.gov to learn more.
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FEMA Now Accepting Volunteers for the BRIC Review Panel
FEMA is soliciting panelists for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program for Fiscal Year 2022. The agency is also convening a virtual National Review Panel to score subapplications.
FEMA is accepting Expression of Interest forms Dec. 1, through Jan. 15, 2023. The review panels help increase transparency in decision-making while building mitigation capability and partnerships.
To learn more about this opportunity and apply to be a panelist please visit FEMA.gov. Panelists will be announced by late February.
FEMA anticipates hosting the virtual panels from March 13 - April 7, 2023.
If you or someone you know is interested in serving on these panels and meets the panel participant criteria, complete an Expression of Interest form which can be found on the FEMA's BRIC webpage. FEMA will announce the selected panelists by late February 2023.
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