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Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced final allocations for $605 million for six Fiscal Year 2023 competitive preparedness grant programs. These allocations, together with the almost $1.4 billion in non-competitive grant funding announced earlier this year, total more than $2 billion in FY 2023 to help prepare our nation against man-made threats and natural disasters.
The grant programs provide funding to state, local, tribal and territorial governments, nonprofit agencies and the private sector to build and sustain capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism and other disasters. The total amount for each grant program is set by Congress and the allocations are made by the Secretary.
Preparedness Grant Program Allocations for Fiscal Year 2023
The following grants are competitive with awards announced July 21:
Operation Stonegarden: provides $90 million to enhance cooperation and coordination among state, local, tribal, territorial, and federal law enforcement agencies to jointly enhance security along the United States land and water borders.
Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program: provides $15 million to eligible tribal nations to implement preparedness initiatives to help strengthen the nation against risk associated with potential terrorist attacks and other hazards.
Nonprofit Security Grant Program: provides $305 million to support target hardening and other physical security enhancements for nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack. This year, $152.5 million is provided to nonprofits in Urban Area Security Initiative-designated areas, and $152.5 million is provided to nonprofits outside those designated urban areas located in any state or territory.
Port Security Grant Program: provides $100 million to help protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness, improve port-wide maritime security risk management and maintain or re-establish maritime security mitigation protocols that support port recovery and resiliency capabilities.
Transit Security Grant Program: provides $93 million to owners and operators of public transit systems to protect critical surface transportation and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure.
Intercity Bus Security Grant Program: provides $2 million to owners and operators of intercity bus systems to protect surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure.
The following non-competitive grants were awarded earlier this year to recipients based on several factors:
State Homeland Security Program: provides $415 million to support the implementation of risk-driven, capabilities-based state homeland security strategies to address capability targets. Awards are based on statutory minimums and relative risk as determined by DHS/FEMA’s risk methodology.
Urban Area Security Initiative: provides $615 million to enhance regional preparedness and capabilities in 31 high-threat, high-density areas. Awards are based on relative risk as determined by risk methodology.
Emergency Management Performance Grant: provides $355.1 million to assist state, local, tribal and territorial emergency management agencies in obtaining the resources required to support the National Preparedness goal’s associated mission areas and core capabilities to build a culture of preparedness.
Intercity Passenger Rail: provides $10 million to Amtrak to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and increase the resilience of the Amtrak rail system. Award made per congressional direction.
Further information on preparedness grant programs is available at www.dhs.gov and http://www.fema.gov/grants.
On July 26, FEMA commemorates the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The ADA guides FEMA’s commitment to improving services and programs so that they are equitably available to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
“FEMA’s people-first approach is about ensuring our programs are accessible to all disaster survivors,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “From ensuring our Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible by survivors in wheels chairs, to updating our websites to support screen readers, to offering sign language interpretation, our commitment to meaningful and full access to our programs is driven by our core values of compassion, fairness, integrity and respect.”
When the act passed in 1990, it provided civil rights legislation that protects people with disabilities from discrimination by federal agencies and federally funded programs. The law ensures that FEMA and our partners have a strong foundation to work together so that disaster survivors with disabilities have equitable access to services and programs, while preserving their independence.
To support the disability community, FEMA made equity in emergency management one of the top goals in our 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. In support of this plan the agency has:
- Improved our registration intake process nationwide, expanding disability-related questions, making it easier for people with disabilities impacted by disasters to get the assistance they need.
- Continued updating the FEMA App, available in English and Spanish, so that it is now more accessible to people with disabilities. The app is screen reader compatible on iOS (11.0 and later) and Android (5.0) devices. The user interface has also been redesigned to fit a wider variety of screen sizes making it easier for users to interact with it on their preferred device.
- Worked extensively with state, local, tribal and territorial officials, nongovernmental and private sector partners, and stakeholders to facilitate ADA compliance. This includes removing physical, communication and programmatic barriers that people with disabilities could face.
- Designed programs, services, policies and procedures to include the needs of people with disabilities before disasters happen, rather than solely reacting to barriers that are identified during response and recovery.
Nationwide, disability stakeholders are part of the agency’s whole community approach and work with agency Disability Integration and Coordination teams to create a path to independence for people with disabilities impacted by disasters.
“The ADA drives the future of community resiliency, enablement, and universal access for all members of a community,” says FEMA Disability Coordinator and Office of Disability Integration and Coordination Director Sherman Gillums, Jr. “Founded on the principles of the ADA, bringing effective communication, expanded structural access and equitable opportunities for all to function as members of society. These are the conditions required prior to disaster that will shorten the disaster cycle for all survivors.”
To learn more about FEMA’s support to people with disabilities, go to Office of Disability Integration and Coordination | FEMA.gov.
FEMA is seeking qualified individuals to lend their expertise and serve on one of two new subcommittees through its National Advisory Council.
The council advises the FEMA Administrator on all matters related to emergency management. Two new subcommittees will review the preliminary damage assessment process and assess current policies for animal welfare in disasters.
These two new subcommittees are being formed in response to the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023” and the “Planning for Animal Wellness Act” (PAW Act). Individuals appointed to the subcommittees bring their experience and diversity of views to provide the FEMA Administrator with consensus recommendations. They will have the opportunity to be a part of and help shape the future of FEMA.
Preliminary Damage Assessment Subcommittee will be selected as the Administrator deems appropriate. The National Defense Authorization Act requires FEMA to convene an advisory panel consisting of emergency management personnel employed by State, local, Territorial, or Tribal authorities, and the representative organizations of such personnel, to assist the agency in improving critical components of the preliminary damage assessment process.
The Planning for Animal Welfare Subcommittee will review best practices and federal guidance on congregate and non-congregate sheltering and evacuation planning relating to animal needs. The subcommittee will be a working group that will determine whether the existing best practices and federal guidance put forth by FEMA are sufficient and, if not, determine to publish new guidance.
The agency is accepting applications for at least 13 members from state, local, tribal and territorial governments, academia, veterinary experts and nonprofit organizations.
Click on one of the Federal Register links below if you are interested in applying to serve on one of the subcommittees.
Applications for both subcommittees are due no later than midnight ET Aug. 10. Terms for all selectees begin in fall 2023 and will continue for as long as the committee work extends.
Selected subcommittee members do not serve as members of FEMA’s National Advisory Council; however, they will submit formal recommendations to the council for deliberation and final adjudication. Meetings are virtual except for the possible in-person presentation of recommendations to the council.
On July 18, National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi, Assistant to the President and head of the White House Climate Policy Office, visited FEMA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. for the annual Youth Preparedness Summit (YPC). The two-day event began with a welcome to Youth Preparedness Council members, old and new, by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and other FEMA leaders.
“We are facing an unprecedented number of disasters in this country today and we can only expect that number to increase in the months and years to come,” said Administrator Criswell. “You offer the fresh perspectives and unconventional approaches that can advance the way we deliver our assistance to communities who need it the most.”
Throughout the summit, YPC members enhanced their knowledge and engaged with seasoned professionals and experts in emergency management. Among the event activities was a workshop to provide hands-on Incident Command System (ICS) training. It was a fun activity; but also allowed members to immerse themselves in the emergency simulation and helped them develop critical decision-making skills.
FEMA YPC members consist of student leaders in grades 8-11 who devote a year to learning about emergency management. The council provides FEMA with an avenue to engage young people and gain direct insights on ways to consider their perspectives, feedback and opinions.
For more information about the council, visit the Youth Preparedness Council webpage.
In the FEMA Blog, the agency's Disability Integration and Coordination Director, Sherman Gillums Jr., shares how FEMA continues to improve how the agency uses guidance from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to help survivors before, during and after disasters.
FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination is the hub for this work at FEMA. The Office leads FEMA by:
- Working closely with our partners.
- Building a community of resilience.
- Continuing to assess our efforts.
- Improving our resources.
- Looking inward.
Visit the FEMA Blog to read more on how the agency honors the ADA before, during and after disasters.
FEMA Seeks Comments on Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act Implementation
FEMA published a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on new legislation that will designate areas with communities most at risk and from natural hazards. The comment period is open until July 25.
This notice is for the agency to gain better understanding of key areas that will support an effective implementation of the Community Disaster Resilience Zone Act. Under the Act, designated zones will receive targeted federal support, such as increased federal cost-share for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, lessening the financial burden on communities to perform resilience-related activities.
Comments can be submitted on the Federal eRulemaking Portal or by emailing FEMA-CDRZ-RFI@fema.dhs.gov. All submissions must include the agency name and Docket ID for this notice. If technical issues arise, contact the Regulations.gov Help Desk.
Visit FEMA.gov for more information.
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FEMA Hosts Webinar on Developing Strong Survey Questions for After-Action Reviews
FEMA will host a Surveying Through Success webinar on July 31 to assist organizations in developing effective survey questions for after-action reviews through the agency’s Continuous Improvement Technical Assistance Program (CITAP).
During this webinar, FEMA aims to equip participants with techniques and proven practices to frame relevant survey questions to yield desired outcomes. The webinar primarily targets state, local, tribal and territorial partners, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and other entities involved in emergency management functions engaged in continuous improvement efforts.
The webinar will be virtual from 12:30-1:30 p.m. ET on Monday, July 31. To register, please visit the webinar's event page on FEMA.gov and click the "Join Webinar" button. If an issue arises while registering or logging in, email FEMA-CITAP@fema.dhs.gov.
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National Dam Safety Program Review Board Opens Nominations for Three Positions
The National Dam Safety Program Review Board advises the FEMA Administrator in setting national dam safety priorities and considers the effects of national policy issues affecting dam safety.
Currently, there are three National Dam Safety Program Review Board vacancies for state dam safety representatives. The 30-day application period runs until Aug. 5. Please note that the interim terms for these vacancies will begin Oct. 1, 2023, and end on March 31, 2024, with the official two-year term beginning April 1, 2024.
Review Board members include:
- FEMA, the Chair of the National Dam Safety Program Review Board.
- Representatives from four federal agencies that serve on the Interagency Committee on Dam Safety (ICODS).
- Five state dam safety officials.
- And one member from the private sector.
Visit the Advisory Committees webpage on FEMA.gov to learn more about selections considerations and criteria and to complete an application.
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FEMA Announces Training Grants on Rural Community Preparedness and Increasing Tribal Capacity Building
On June 22, FEMA released the funding notice for $6 million in competitive grants as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Homeland Security National Training Program's Competitive Continuing Training Grants. These grants provide training solutions to address specific national preparedness gaps and increased capacity through training availability.
This year, for the first time, FEMA designed the grant with two distinct focus areas, "Build Tribal Capacities to Improve Readiness and Resilience" and "Rural Preparedness for Equitable Outcomes."
The funding notice is posted at Grants.gov, at DHS-23-NPD-005-00-96. Grants are available to applicants through a competitive process to help improve the nation’s ability to respond to and recover from all-hazards events through training. The application period will close at 5 p.m. ET on Aug. 7.
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Take the Survey to Help Improve Building Resilient Infrastructure Investment and Community Grants
FEMA recently launched a survey for Building Resilient Infrastructure Investment and Community (BRIC) stakeholders.
The survey results help inform continuous improvement of the BRIC program and offers benefits to process improvements across FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs.
The survey asks participants about their experiences with all aspects of the BRIC grant program—from project development to submitting grant applications, in order to help enable FEMA to better meet stakeholder needs in the future.
FEMA will conduct an in-depth analysis of all feedback and publish a summary report with the findings in 2024.
The deadline for all submissions is Wednesday, Aug. 16. Visit FEMA.gov or Survey Monkey to take the survey.
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FEMA Hosts Webinars on #SummerReady to Promote Heat Preparedness
To raise awareness and preparedness for extreme heat, FEMA introduced its inaugural #SummerReady campaign. As part of this initiative, FEMA will host two webinars throughout the summer for state, local, tribal and territorial officials to assist stakeholders in promoting preparedness and resilience against extreme heat events.
The webinars will highlight the collaborative endeavors across several federal agencies to address and tackle this issue. During the webinars, FEMA will identify specific types of hazard mitigation projects that can effectively combat extreme heat. The first webinar was held July 12, and the second webinar will be held on August 16. Interested parties are encouraged to visit FEMA’s event page to access the recording of the previous webinar and the link to the upcoming webinar.
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