Important Deadlines & Reminders   Register for FEMA Webinar on Survey Design and Distribution Best Practices.   2024 Southeast Private-Public Partners Summit Begins.   Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Applications Open.   "Climate Adaptation Planning for Emergency Managers” Draft Guide Comment Period Ends.    Register for the 31st annual National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar.   Application Period Closes for the Virtual BRIC National Review Panel.

FEMA Commemorates Martin Luther King Day

On Monday, Jan. 15, we took a moment to pause and reflect on the lasting impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His work has helped shape the agency’s efforts to promote equity and resilience in communities before, during and after disasters. Many employees across the agency also honored the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. through volunteer work.

FEMA Announces the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate’s FY2022 Annual Report

FEMA released the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate’s (OFIA) Insights and Recommendations Fiscal Year 2022 Report focusing on ways to improve the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) customer experience. The report offers programmatic process changes to address lapses in flood insurance coverage and advocates for more mitigation information to help customers know how to reduce their flood risk.

During FY22, FEMA received nearly 1,000 complex customer inquiries that required extensive research and collaboration across several components within the NFIP.

The report identified four opportunities to improve the program. These include:

1. Communicating Premium Pricing: Customers seek more tools and information to help them understand risk and premium rating to make informed decisions.
2. Flood Insurance Communication Mailings: Customers require more detailed information regarding communication mailings, such as policy declaration pages, quotes and renewal notices.
3. Consequences of a Lapse at the Time of Renewal: Customers express confusion and frustration when their coverage lapses and they have to reapply. This can result in a new effective date, a loss of discounts and sometimes a substantially higher premium.
4. Frustration with Understanding How to Reduce Flood Insurance Premiums: Customers express they need clearer guidance on taking mitigation actions to reduce flood risk and flood insurance premiums.

FEMA advocates for the fair treatment of policyholders and property owners under the NFIP and provides transparency about the program’s ongoing improvements to reduce its complexity.

Attend FEMA’s Webinar on the National Resource Hub for Emergency Management

FEMA will host a webinar reviewing the National Resource Hub (the Hub) and its suite of web-based resources during incidents and emergencies on Jan. 23 from 1-2 p.m. ET.

The Hub is designed to facilitate access to the resource management process, making it easier for agencies and jurisdictions to prepare for and respond to incidents, especially those that require mutual aid. Resources in the Hub include the Resource Inventory System (RIS), the Resource Typing Library Tool (RTLT) and OneResponder.

The webinar will guide attendees through the NRH tools and demonstrate how they can utilize these products to track and manage resources in a standard format through a convenient, cloud-based service.

The webinar aims to help attendees take advantage of the benefits of the Hub, including:

• Increased efficiency.
• Resource management standardization.
• Reduced workload.
• Compliance with National Preparedness Grant requirements.

Participants will be able to ask questions in real time at the end of the presentation. Please register in advance to attend the webinar refresher on the Hub and its web-based resources. During registration, you will be able to submit any questions you would like to be addressed during the presentation.

Attend Webinar to Discover Disaster Resources for Art and Cultural Institutions

The DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, in coordination with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), will host a webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 23, to promote collaboration between emergency management professionals, artists, art and cultural institutions in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

The webinar will feature presentations from the National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts and FEMA. Attendees will learn about government and non-government resources available to help prepare for and respond to disasters.

Webinar Information (CORRECTED): 

• Topic: Resources for artists, art and cultural institutions on disaster mitigation, preparedness, and response and recovery
• Date: Jan. 23
• Time: 2-3:30 p.m. ET 
• Location: Please register at Webinar Registration - Zoom (zoomgov.com) 

For further questions, please contact Partnerships@fema.dhs.gov.

DHS Issues Request for Information on Environmental Justice Program

The Department of Homeland Security invites public comment and feedback on barriers and challenges, suggestions and ideas to help advance the Department’s environmental justice program. DHS conducts meaningful engagement of the public in decision-making and addresses challenges facing environmental justice communities related to DHS programs and activities. 

On Dec. 18, 2023, DHS issued a Request for Information (RFI), Docket ID: DHS-2023-0048, asking specific questions. The public comment period will be open for 60 days, closing on Feb. 16.

Executive Order 14096, Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, signed April 21, 2023, defines “environmental justice” as "the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decision-making and other federal activities that affect human health and the environment so that people:"

• Are fully protected from disproportionate and adverse human health and environmental effects and hazards, including those related to climate change, the cumulative impacts of environmental and other burdens, and the legacy of racism or other structural or systemic barriers.
• Have equitable access to a healthy, sustainable and resilient environment to live, play, work, learn, grow, worship and engage in cultural and subsistence practices.

DHS will host virtual information and listening sessions via Zoom during the public comment period to hear participants’ responses to the questions in the RFI. Please register to attend one of the information and listening sessions through the links below:

• Friday, Jan. 19, 2-3:30 p.m. ET – Session 1
• Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2-3:30 p.m. ET – Session 2 (Tribal and Indigenous peoples)
• Monday, Jan. 29, 3:30-5:00 p.m. ET – Session 3

To view translations of the RFI and for more information on the DHS Environmental Justice Program, please visit https://www.dhs.gov/dhs-and-environmental-justice. For questions, please contact dhsenvironmentaljustice@hq.dhs.gov. 

For free language services, including written translation or oral interpretation of this document, or to request this document in alternate formats such as Braille or large print, please contact us at crcl@hq.dhs.gov.

New GUAM STRONG Program Repairs Homes Damaged by Typhoon Mawar

During Typhoon Mawar, wind speed in Guam reached approximately 140 mph, leaving behind a trail of damaged and destroyed homes. In response to the survivors’ needs for a safe, sanitary and secure home, FEMA initiated GUAM STRONG (Getting Urgent Assistance Mobilized to Support Typhoon Repairs on Guam) to assist affected households by undertaking temporary emergency repairs to make homes habitable.

GUAM STRONG collaborates with various agencies and organizations, including the local government and voluntary, faith-based and community-based organizations. Skilled volunteers from organizations such as Adventist Community Services, Heart 9/11, Mennonite Disaster Service, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and United Methodists Committee on Relief (UMCOR) conduct repairs for survivors with travel and lodging support provided by FEMA.

In November 2023, a team of nine UMCOR members traveled from Arizona, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada and Nebraska to extend their service to assist Guam and affected households in their recovery process.

Upcoming Deadlines and Reminders

Attend FEMA’s Webinar on Survey Design and Distribution Best Practices

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $150 Million to Help Underserved Communities Fund Resilience Projects

FEMA announced the second funding opportunity for the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant program to make communities safer from natural hazards. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this program provides capitalization grants to eligible applicants nationwide. Applicants then offer low-interest loans directly to local communities to reduce their vulnerability to disasters, promote equity, foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster impacts.

Of the nearly $7 billion available in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to FEMA, $500 million is invested in the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund program over five years to reduce disaster suffering and avoid future disaster costs. For the first year of the program, FEMA made $50 million available in capitalization grants. In addition, there are five additional FEMA mitigation and cyber security programs to receive multi-year Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding.

The Safeguarding Tomorrow funding notice is available at Grants.gov. Eligible entities must apply for funding using the Non-Disaster (ND) Grants Management System (ND Grants). The application period opens on Feb. 1. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. ET, April. 30.

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FEMA Seeks Feedback on the “Climate Adaptation Planning for Emergency Managers” Draft Guide

FEMA seeks feedback on the draft guide, “Climate Adaptation Planning for Emergency Managers,” until Feb. 9. The guide will help emergency managers incorporate climate adaptation into emergency management planning efforts.

FEMA will host 60-minute webinar sessions to provide an overview of the draft guide and include facilitated discussions with stakeholders to help improve the existing draft and gather feedback from all community partners. Webinars will be held on Jan. 17 and 25.

The guide is designed to walk state, local, tribal and territorial partners through the Six Step Planning Process identified in the “Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101: Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans,” highlighting existing climate mapping tools and potential funding resources. FEMA is seeking feedback that can be incorporated into the guide, particularly real-world case studies. A line-numbered version of the draft guide is also available to allow individuals to provide comments on specific areas within the document.

To review the document and register for the webinar sessions, visit the "Climate Adaptation Planning for Emergency Managers" on FEMA.gov. 

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Register for the 2024 National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar

Register today to reserve your spot for the 31st annual National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar. This annual two-day seminar will be held Feb. 13 – 14 in Emmitsburg, Maryland and will bring together dam safety professionals from across the nation. The theme for this year’s seminar is “Dam Safety 101: Design, Analysis, Construction and Risk Management."

When registering for the seminar, list Tim Bush as the supervisor for application approval. 

• Email: timothy.bush@fema.dhs.gov
• Phone: 256-454-5865

Participants from the dam safety community are encouraged to register now and join the vast network of officials from both federal and state dam safety programs across the nation, as space at the seminar is running out. For more information about the seminar, please visit fema.gov or contact either jmalama@usbr.gov or alesia.zagara@associates.fema.dhs.gov.

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FEMA Seeks Volunteers for Virtual BRIC National Review Panels

FEMA seeks volunteers from state, local, tribal and territorial governments and other federal agencies to participate in the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) virtual national review panels. 

The agency is accepting Expression of Interest forms through Feb. 15. These volunteers will leverage their mitigation experience and expertise to determine how sub-applications meet BRIC qualitative evaluation criteria. The virtual panels will run from April 8 to May 3 on Zoom. Panelists will serve 30 hours on one weekly panel from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, plus a three-hour training.

For more information, visit the BRIC webpage on FEMA.gov.

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FEMA Opens Exercise Support through March 1

FEMA provides exercise support to state, local, tribal and territorial jurisdictions at no cost through the agency’s National Exercise Program. Exercise support can include assistance with exercise planning, design, scenario development, conduct and evaluation.

Applications for 2024 exercise support will be accepted from Jan. 4 through March 1, 2024. Support requests are open to all state, local, tribal and territorial governments. New applicants or applicants from underserved jurisdictions are urged to apply. There is no associated cost-share for selected jurisdictions for this exercise assistance.

In January, FEMA will host webinars to discuss the exercise support process. Each webinar will cover the same content. Register in advance by visiting FEMA’s webinar page. The webinar dates are Jan. 18, 22 and 24.

Visit FEMA.gov/NEP for more information, including how to request support. For any specific questions, please email the program staff at NEP@fema.dhs.gov and include “2024 Exercise Support Question” in your subject line.

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Invitation to the 2024 Southeast Private-Public Partners Summit in Pearl, MS

The 2024 Southeast Private-Public Partnership Summit will be held in Pearl, Mississippi, from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1. This two-day event brings together non-governmental and private sector partners with federal, state and local emergency management representatives. Emergency managers in the private sector will join in discussions about the challenges we face as emergency management leaders to better help survivors.

Register for the summit by visiting 2024 Southeast Private-Public Partners Summit | Jan. 31 - Feb. 1. Hotel information will be emailed to you once you register.

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FEMA Publishes Resources for Developing BRIC and FMA Grant Applications

On Oct. 12, 2023, FEMA announced $1.8 billion available in funding for the Fiscal Year 2023 Building Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance grant programs. The BRIC funding level will be $1 billion and the Flood Mitigation Assistance funding level will be $800 million.

FEMA published program support materials and launched a series of webinars and on-demand videos that provide important resources and information for prospective applicants and sub-applicants. These resources can be used to help develop applications for these two FEMA hazard mitigation grants. The application period for both programs closes on Feb. 29.

These program support materials are resources to help state, local, tribal and territorial governments prepare applications for this grant cycle. The following program support materials are: 

• BRIC Program Support Material Resources for Fiscal Year 2023
• Flood Mitigation Assistance Program Support Resources for Fiscal Year 2023

Information about the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities and Flood Mitigation Assistance Funding Opportunities Webinar Series is available online and includes an opportunity to watch the video or download the presentation. This webinar provides an overview of and guidance on how to request Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Direct Technical Assistance in fiscal year 2023. More information about this opportunity is available on the BRIC Direct Technical Assistance webpage. Please complete this form by Feb. 29.

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Application Period Open for $211M to Fund Dam Safety Grants

FEMA will commit more than $211 million in funding to enhance dam safety efforts across the nation to ensure that communities have the critical infrastructure needed to protect against disasters and prevent flooding.

The Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams program is making about $185 million available, and another approximately $26 million is available through the National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program. The investments funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help protect communities from flooding, avoid disaster costs and strengthen resilience to climate change.

The National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is available for any state or territory with an enacted dam safety program. The state administrative agency or an equivalent state agency, is eligible to apply. Each eligible state or territory may submit only one grant application. The funding opportunities are open now and will close on Feb. 29. Available opportunities may be found on Grants.gov.

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Attend the 9th Annual Tribal Nations Training Week

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, speaking to more than 2,000 tribal leaders and emergency managers at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 80^th Annual Convention, unveiled FEMA’s first-of-its-kind 2023 Tribal Strategy Progress Report and announced the opening of registration for the ninth-annual Tribal Nations Training Week, to be held March 9-16, at FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Alabama. Register by March 6 to attend! 

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Application Period Open for Repetitive Flooding Mitigation Funding 

An additional $300 million in Swift Current funding is available to help property owners across the nation become more resilient to flooding. This funding opportunity is the second time that FEMA is using funds from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Swift Current, part of the Flood Mitigation Assistance program. Swift Current makes homes safer and more resilient for National Flood Insurance Program policyholders with repetitively flooded properties. To be eligible, buildings must be insured through the National Flood Insurance Program.

FEMA will work with states, Tribes and territories to explore their participation during this cycle. Potential applicants who have questions may contact their FEMA regional office. The application period opened on Nov. 15, 2023, and the last eligible disaster declaration date is May 31. The funding opportunity is available on Grants.gov.

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