Important Deadlines & Reminders BRIC and FMA funding application period closes at 3 p.m. ET.  The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund grant program application period opens. FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grants application period closes at 5 p.m. ET.

Application Period Open for FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Positions

Federal Coordinating Officers (FCOs) are the lead federal representatives during disasters. They coordinate the flow of disaster resources and information that bring together federal, state, tribal and territorial partners to help survivors recover from disasters. The application period is now open to join this highly qualified group of professionals the President calls on to lead disaster response and recovery.

“I love being an FCO,” said FEMA FCO Myra Shird. “I get to spend time working with a team of experts to find solutions to the challenges we see on the ground. I’ve worked with survivors who are going through the worst experience in their life and been able to give them hope and support. There is no better feeling.”

FEMA is recruiting for 10 FCOs with duty stations across the country. The ideal candidate for this position is an effective communicator with experience building partnerships with diverse stakeholders and coordinating disaster response and recovery.

To find more information on and apply for this position, visit the job announcement at USAJobs.gov.

FEMA Seeks Leaders for Youth Preparedness Council

FEMA is accepting applications for the Youth Preparedness Council. The online application process is open, and students must complete their applications by 11:59 p.m. PT on March 6.

Teens in grades 8 - 11 who are interested in applying for the council can learn more about the process and have their questions answered in a webinar at 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 30. The webinar will walk students through the application process and give applicants a glimpse of what it’s like to be on the council. Please register for this webinar in advance.

During their one-year term, council members will collaborate virtually with each other to develop projects that promote preparedness on a local and national scale. Members will also attend the council summit in July and engage with top leaders within FEMA, the federal government and national non-profit organizations.

If you know a teen interested in preparedness and community service, encourage them to apply. To learn more about the Youth Preparedness Council, visit FEMA.gov.

Webinars on ‘Buy America’ Preferences for FEMA Grant Programs

FEMA is offering a series of one-hour briefings for all recipients and subrecipients under awards for 23 FEMA grant programs. These programs are now subject on the domestic preference requirements of the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA). The briefings will also cover best practices for documenting compliance with BABAA.

BABAA requires all federal agencies, including FEMA, to ensure that no federal financial assistance for “infrastructure” projects is provided “unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured products and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States.” These requirements only apply to awards or funds obligated on or after Jan. 2, 2023.

Most disaster financial assistance programs are not subject to BABAA requirements. For a list of FEMA financial assistance programs not subject to BABAA please visit FEMA.gov

Frequently Asked Questions, additional guidance, resources and contact information can be found on FEMA’s “Buy America” webpage.

Upcoming Deadlines and Reminders

FEMA is Accepting Applications for Assistance to Firefighters Grants

FEMA has opened the application period for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grants. Applications are being accepted until 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 10.

The funding notice is available at grants.gov. It can also be found, along with technical assistance documents and information about upcoming webinars to assist applicants, by visiting Assistance to Firefighters Grants | FEMA.gov.

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FEMA Revolving Loan Fund Grant Program Application Period Opens Feb. 1

The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund funding notice is available at Grants.gov. Eligible entities must apply for funding using the Non-Disaster Grants Management System. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. ET on April 28. Visit FEMA.gov for more information.

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Webinar on Preventing Human Trafficking in Disasters: What You Need to Know and How to Respond

The DHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the DHS Office of Partnership and Engagement and FEMA are co-hosting a webinar to provide information and resources on adversely impacted communities after disasters and how to identify the risk factors that may lead to human trafficking.

The webinar will take place at 2 p.m. ET on Jan. 26. Register here in advance to attend the webinar.

The webinar will discuss the importance and the role of local partners to prevent exploitation and respond to survivors needs. It will also provide federal resources on how to report potential incidences of human trafficking.

DHS will host an additional webinar about human trafficking on Jan 31 at 10 a.m. ET on the Human Trafficking Youth Forum.

FEMA recently published a blog on ways to prevent human trafficking. Visit the FEMA Blog to read, "5 Ways We Can Work Together to Prevent Human Trafficking." 

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BRIC/FMA Application Period Closes Jan. 27

The application period is open for more than $3 billion in funding for two annual mitigation grant programs that enhance climate resiliency.

The application period is open for FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Fiscal Year 2022 grant programs. The funding was bolstered by nearly $900 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, which provided $200 million for BRIC and $700 million for Flood Mitigation Assistance.

A total of approximately $2.3 billion is available through the BRIC program and another $800 million through the Flood Mitigation Assistance program. The grants provide funds to communities to enhance resiliency to natural hazards.

The funding notices for both programs are available at 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. 27, 2023. Applications received by FEMA after this deadline will not be considered for funding.

To reduce barriers in accessing FEMA programs and ensure federal funding can reach more communities, FEMA is enacting several changes to this year’s application cycle:

• First, by using money from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, FEMA is increasing the federal cost share for the Flood Mitigation Assistance program from 75% to 90% to lower the financial burden on smaller governments and disadvantaged communities.
• Second, FEMA is expanding investment in the BRIC’s non-financial Direct Technical Assistance to at least 40 communities to help with the application process for future submissions.
• Direct Technical Assistance helps communities submit high-quality applications and implement innovative projects that reduce risk and increase resilience. 
• FEMA is accepting requests for assistance now. Applicants can visit  the BRIC Direct Technical Assistance webpage to find information and detailed instructions on how to submit an application in English or Spanish.
• Finally, FEMA is no longer requiring a Benefit-Cost Analysis for federally recognized Tribal Nations and underserved communities when they apply. This is one of the most common barriers to a successful application. FEMA will help these communities complete an analysis during the pre-award process.

Interested applicants should contact their Hazard Mitigation Officer for more information. For more information visit FEMA.gov.

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