In recognition of caregivers’ dedication and commitment to those in their care, FEMA and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) created the "Disaster Preparedness Guide for Caregivers" to help them navigate unique challenges that may arise during disasters. While caregiving can be overwhelming at times, taking three essential steps — assessing needs, engaging a support network and creating a plan — can help caregivers feel more prepared and in control when disaster strikes.
The guide includes tailored information and resources for three main caregiver audiences:
- Those who can involve their care recipient in their planning.
- Those who can engage a support network to aid planning.
- Solo caregivers.
It provides key considerations caregivers can use to identify their care recipient's needs and how they may change during a disaster.
FEMA and RCI are hosting a webinar on Thursday, March 7, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. ET for caregivers and communities to introduce the guide and provide an opportunity to learn how the guide addresses the unique challenges faced by caregivers and offers practical solutions to ensure the safety and well-being of both caregivers and care recipients in the event of a disaster.
To attend this virtual event on Zoom for Government, please register in advance on Zoom.
We encourage our partner organizations, local and state government leaders, and community leaders to share this guide with the caregivers in their lives.
For more information about FEMA and RCI’s efforts to support caregivers, please visit the RCI webpage at rosalynncarter.org.
FEMA’s Voluntary Agency Liaisons and the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships are hosting a Voluntary Organization Information Sharing and Engagement Partner Call on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
Spring is a season that includes several significant religious observances for various faiths and traditions. The topic of the call is a spring safety and security religious holiday briefing that will provide attendees and nonprofits organizations information, points of contact and considerations to prepare their facilities for upcoming religious observances and other public gatherings.
Webinar Information:
- Topic: Spring Religious Observance Safety and Security Briefing
- Date: Wednesday, Feb. 21
- Time: 2-3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Please register at ZOOM | Virtual Platform
- Passcode: FEMAVAL
For further questions, email FEMA-VAL@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA is recruiting students from Minority Serving Institutions for the 2024 summer internship program, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Tribal Universities (TCUs).
FEMA's internship program is designed to hire students with diverse backgrounds to work alongside highly skilled professionals at FEMA. Help us recruit the next generation of emergency managers by sharing the application information with interested students from Minority Serving Institutions, TCUs and HBCUs.
Paid summer internships are offered in:
- Atlanta, GA (Region 4).
- Lakewood, CO (Region 8).
- Washington, DC (FEMA HQ).
The application period is open until Feb. 29. FEMA will select participants between March 5 and March 18, with the internship beginning mid-May through mid-August.
For additional information and qualification requirements, visit HBCU and Minority Serving Institutions Summer Internship Program | FEMA.gov.
Although spring is around the corner, the threat of severe winter weather is not over. According to the National Library of Medicine, 63% of temperature-related deaths are caused by exposure to cold. As the season progresses, it is important to stay #WinterReady and prepare for the potential risks and hazards that come with it.
To ensure you or the older adults you care for are #WinterReady, it is crucial to create a personalized emergency plan that assesses your needs, helps you develop a plan and engages your support network.
Read the full blog at FEMA.gov to be prepared and alert this winter.
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Nonprofit Security Grant Program Webinar Series
FEMA’s Grants Program Directorate invites interested organizations to attend upcoming webinars regarding the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The program uses a competitive process to award grants for facility hardening and other security enhancements to nonprofit organizations at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack.
The webinars will be held on the following dates and times. Click on a webinar below to register:
- Thursday, Feb. 22, at 3 p.m. ET.
- Thursday, Feb. 29, at 1 p.m. ET.
- Friday, March 8, at 2 p.m. ET.
- Thursday, March 14, at 4 p.m. ET.
- Friday, March 22, at 2 p.m. ET.
All interested organizations are required to register in advance for the webinars. Please note that the webinars will cover the same content and will not be recorded for future viewing.
If you have any questions regarding these webinars or require special accommodations, please contact FEMA-NSGP@fema.dhs.gov.
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Youth Preparedness Council Application Period Closes March 4
The FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Division is accepting applications for the Youth Preparedness Council. The online application process is open to students in grades eight through 11. Students must apply by March 4.
Students interested in applying for the council can learn more about the process and have their questions answered during the following webinar:
If you know a teen interested in preparedness and community service, encourage them to apply.
To learn more, visit the Youth Preparedness Council webpage.
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FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System to Host In-Person Tabletop Exercise for Emergency Alerts
FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) will conduct its next in-person tabletop exercises for emergency alerts on Thursday, Feb. 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET at the National Harbor, Maryland.
The event will help Alert Originators practice, review and exercise their alert, warning and notification capabilities for winter weather emergencies. Registration is limited to provide an efficient exercise for all involved. Email the IPAWS Technical Support Services Facility Training and Exercise Staff to participate. Please include the following:
- Your request to participate.
- A primary point of contact for your organization or agency name.
- The number of expected participants.
For general IPAWS questions, send an email to fema-ipaws-lab@fema.dhs.gov. Learn more about IPAWS Tabletop Exercises in this FEMA video.
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FEMA Hosts Webinar Connecting the Exercise Cycle and Continuous Improvement Process
FEMA is hosting a webinar that will connect the exercise cycle and continuous improvement process. The webinar is focused on providing attendees with the knowledge and skills to use both FEMA's Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) and National Continuous Improvement Guidance (NCIG) to create an ongoing culture of learning.
To register, click on the associated “Register Here” link below:
- Webinar Session 3: Thursday, Feb. 29, from 5 to 6 p.m. ET - Register Here
To download the National Continuous Improvement Guidance (NCIG) or read the guidance online, visit https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/cip-citap/ncig.To download the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Plan (HSEEP) doctrine, visit https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/hseep-resources/policy-and-guidance.
For questions or issues in registering for a webinar, please contact FEMA-CITAP@fema.dhs.gov.
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Request Free FEMA Help for Mitigation Planning and Project Support by February 29
If your community or Tribal Nation lacks resources to start climate resilience or project design, FEMA provides free help with hazard mitigation planning and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) project support.
To be considered for selection, applicants do not need a previous BRIC grant sub-application, award or a FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan. Interested communities and Tribal Nations can apply to this program by submitting a BRIC Direct Technical Assistance Request Form to fema-bric-dta-submission@fema.dhs.gov for this cycle of selections.
FEMA will select up to 80 communities and Tribal Nations to receive direct technical assistance, which will be announced later this summer. Communities and Tribal Nations requesting BRIC Direct Technical Assistance must identify at least two ongoing or potential community partners in the request form to apply for FEMA’s fiscal year 2023 BRIC Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Please complete this form by Feb. 29. Once completed, email the form to fema-bric-dta-submission@fema.dhs.gov.
To learn more about BRIC Direct Technical Assistance, visit FEMA.gov.
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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.
The application period for both programs closes on Feb. 29. Apply through Grants.gov.
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.
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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 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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Request FEMA National Exercise Support by March 1
FEMA provides exercise support to state, local and Tribal Nation 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 through March 1. New applicants or applicants from underserved jurisdictions are urged to apply. There is no associated cost-share for selected jurisdictions for this exercise assistance.
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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Attend the 9th Annual Tribal Nations Training Week
In November 2023, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell unveiled FEMA’s first-of-its-kind 2023 Tribal Strategy Progress Report.
She also 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! For registration information, contact David Emigh, CDP Tribal Nations Training Coordinator, at 256-847-2649 or 771-217-3779 or via email at David.emigh@fema.dhs.gov.
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Apply to FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant by March 8
There’s less than one month remaining to apply for the Fiscal Year 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program which will award $324 million to enhance public and firefighters' safety against fire-related deaths and hazards nationwide.
The AFG application period will close on Friday, March 8, at 5 p.m. ET.
The funding notice for this program is available at www.grants.gov and on the FEMA website, where there are also technical assistance documents and additional information about upcoming webinars to assist applicants.
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FEMA Seeks Comments on Simplified Homeowner Flood Insurance Form to Improve Customer Experience
FEMA is seeking public comments to improve the homeowner policyholder experience through a new proposed Homeowner Flood Form to simplify the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) standard flood insurance policy. The proposed Homeowner Flood Form aims to provide homeowners with a more customizable and user-friendly experience with five new proposed endorsements, allowing policyholders to modify their coverage.
Comments can be submitted until April 8 on www.regulations.gov Docket ID: FEMA-2024-0004. Please follow the instructions on the page to submit comments and contact the Regulations.gov Help Desk if you encounter technical issues.
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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.
The Safeguarding Tomorrow funding notice is available at Grants.gov. Eligible entities must apply for funding using the Non-Disaster Grants Management System (ND Grants). Applications must be received by Tuesday, April 30, at 3 p.m. ET.
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Application Period Open for Repetitive Flood 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. Buildings must be insured through the National Flood Insurance Program to be eligible.
FEMA will work with states and Tribal Nations 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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