 Please join FEMA and the nation as we celebrate Women’s History Month. Since Congress designated March as National Women’s History Month in 1987, we have had the opportunity to showcase the contributions of women, honoring their achievements and accomplishments for the betterment of our nation. The national theme for 2024 is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.”
At FEMA, we are proud to have a rich history of women who have helped shape the emergency management field. From our staff around the country to Deanne Criswell, FEMA’s first female Administrator, we have been fortunate to have women who have made significant contributions to our agency.
As we look to the future, we are committed to fostering greater representation and inclusivity in the field of emergency management. Under Administrator Criswell’s leadership, our 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan supports diversity in the communities we serve, instills equity as a foundation of emergency management and nurtures an inclusive culture.
 Beginning in early March, states and municipalities across the country will participate in the National Weather Service’s flood awareness and preparedness week observances. The observances seek to raise awareness of various flood risks that threaten both coastal and inland regions, such as riverine flooding, metro flooding, flood after fire, hurricanes and others.
FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides support to stakeholders in states and municipalities that participate in flood awareness and preparedness weeks by delivering shareable resources and encouraging direct outreach to communities to increase preparedness.
According to new FEMA research, one of the primary obstacles to increasing flood insurance uptake is a need for more consumer awareness of flood risk. For example, homeowners and renters living and working away from the coast may not realize they are at risk. They may also be unaware that their homeowners or renters insurance policy does not cover flooding.
Through Flood Awareness Week outreach, the NFIP encourages stakeholders to reach out to their communities to ensure more people know their risk and understand the value of flood insurance to stay protected.
In support of various flood awareness and preparedness week observances across the country, NFIP is sharing a social media toolkit for state and local officials, emergency managers, community groups, Tribal Nations territory leaders, real estate agents and others to increase flood risk awareness.
These social media posts are accessible on Floodsmart.gov. FEMA encourages stakeholders to share them widely with their audiences to spread essential information on flood preparedness.
 FEMA recently released the Guide to Expanding Mitigation, Making the Connection to Faith-Based Partners, to help hazard mitigation, community planning and emergency managers engage with faith-based organizations during the planning process. This valuable resource outlines the benefits of working with these groups and shares strategies for building strong relationships and resilient communities. It also enhances effective and efficient recovery strategies across the nation by helping emergency managers empower communities to build local capacity that helps them withstand tomorrow’s hazards.
Working alongside faith-based organizations allows mitigation professionals to join with local, state, Tribal Nation and territorial leaders to reach a wider audience. Those leading and serving in faith-based organizations who want to learn more about how to protect their communities by reducing the disaster risks experienced in their community may find the guide useful.
Mitigation is most effective as a community-wide, long-term effort that considers populations most affected by disasters by developing strategies to reduce their risk exposure and increase community resilience overall.
The guide is part of a series highlighting innovative and emerging partnerships for mitigation. It shows how communities can support hazard mitigation projects and planning by engaging the whole community. Go to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Best Practices Library to learn more about hazard mitigation.
 Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) rebuilt and elevated homes in Dulac, LA, following Hurricane Ida. Photo credit: Paul Hunt/MDS
The DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and FEMA Individual Assistance Voluntary Agency Coordination Section will co-host a webinar, Making Recovery More Resilient – A Conversation on Mitigation, on Thursday, March 21, at 2 p.m. ET. To register for the webinar visit, FEMA's Zoom page.
This webinar will be focused on highlighting the recently released Guide to Expanding Mitigation, Making the Connection to Faith-Based Partners.
The purpose of the webinar is to:
- Recognize the collaboration between governmental and non-governmental partners to reduce hazard risks.
- Discuss FEMA’s Individual Assistance regulatory reforms and the changes focused on mitigation.
- Highlight FEMA’s Guide to Expanding Mitigation, Making the Connection to Faith-Based Partners.
ASL and closed captioning will be provided.
The deadline to complete applications for the Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) has been extended until March 8. The application package, including letters of recommendation and parent/guardian consent, is due March 8, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Students in grades 8-11 are eligible and can apply online.
FEMA is recruiting young leaders passionate about preparedness to join the YPC. The council offers opportunities for teens to:
- Share their ideas and feedback with FEMA.
- Grow their leadership skills and work with like-minded peers to help strengthen preparedness and resilience across the country.
In addition, council members will participate in a biennial summit in Washington, D.C., where they will have a chance to network and learn about emergency management from FEMA leaders and other professionals in the field.
If you have questions, please contact FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division at FEMA-Prepare@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA’s Office of Business, Industry, and Infrastructure Integration and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Disaster Response and Resilience are hosting the first session of the Small Business Disaster Preparedness Series, Working with the Federal Government: Small Business Procurement. The virtual event will be held on Tuesday, March 12, from 1– 2:30 p.m. ET.
The session will include information and resources about procurement with DHS, FEMA and SBA guided application tutorials and additional outside resources for small business owner-operators and representatives. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss procurement opportunities with federal subject matter experts and gain valuable knowledge to support the nation and Tribal Nation communities before, during and after disasters. Minority-owned small businesses are especially encouraged to attend.
Topic: Working with the Federal Government: Small Business Procurement
Date: Tuesday, March 12
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Registration Link: Webinar Registration - Zoom (zoomgov.com)
FEMA’s National Integration Center released updated National Incident Management System (NIMS) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Skillsets for national engagement.
Regardless of structure, EOC personnel typically perform these common functions:
- Collect, analyze and share information.
- Support resource needs and requests, including allocation and tracking.
- Coordinate plans and determine current and future needs.
- In some cases, it provides strategic coordination and policy direction.
EOC Skillsets break these functions into distinct responsibilities aligned with demonstrable tasks that leaders can use to build EOC Position Task Books (PTB), qualify personnel and request support. The NIMS EOC Skillsets provide a flexible approach to EOC qualifications. EOC leaders can mix and match skillsets, combining them together to form EOC PTB that reflects the needs of their EOC.
This update is based on best practices and lessons learned related to operations, assessing processes and transitioning, capabilities, infrastructure (technology), personnel and comprehensive training to support temporary or extended virtual EOC operations or replace the typical EOC model with a hybrid/virtual option.
Feedback is due no later than 5 p.m. ET, March 28, 2024.
FEMA's Continuous Improvement Technical Assistance Program is hosting a 30-minute session on Tuesday, March 19, from 12:30 - 1 p.m. ET to demonstrate a common approach for analyzing open-text qualitative data to inform real-world incident after-action review products.
Open-text survey responses present a rich data set for analysis, but open-text data can be difficult to interpret without a clear approach. This webinar will equip participants with valuable techniques to leverage keywords to distill meaningful insights from open-text data using several common software options. This webinar will emphasize approaches to open-text analysis outlined in FEMA’s National Continuous Improvement Guidance.
The webinar is designed for an audience of state, local, Tribal Nation and territorial partners, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and other entities involved in emergency management functions engaged in continuous improvement efforts.
To register, visit the webinar's event page on FEMA.gov and click the "Register" button. If an issue arises while registering or logging in, please contact the FEMA CITAP Team at FEMA-CITAP@fema.dhs.gov.
 FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness released a new virtual distance learning course, “Key Planning Factors and Considerations for Response to and Recovery from a Biological Incident (Bio KPF).”
The course provides education, awareness and guidance in developing effective biological incident response and recovery plans at the federal, regional, state, local and Tribal Nations and territory levels. This course is based on the similarly named guidance document available on the Office of Emerging Threats webpage.
Biological incidents can pose many challenges to communities. Such incidents can cause highly infectious diseases, requiring specialized medical countermeasures and resources to address long-term contamination. In some cases, an incident could be caused by an intentional attack, causing other challenges.
The course covers biological incident response and recovery key planning factors and considerations for:
- Detecting and characterizing the threat.
- Communicating with external partners and the public.
- Controlling the spread of disease.
- Expanding the provision of mass care and human services to the affected population.
- Expanding the provision of health and medical services to the affected population.
- Expanding essential services to achieve recovery outcomes.
Participants will gain knowledge to support the creation of biological incident plans. To learn more and enroll in the Bio KPF distance learning course, visit Key Planning Factors and Considerations for Response to and Recovery from a Biological Incident.
The course is available to all and requires no prerequisites or restrictions. This course is available for anyone interested in learning more about responding to and recovering from a biological incident. Registration is free when creating a FEMA SID account.
If you encounter any issues while registering for the course, contact the Center for Domestic Preparedness student services center.
 FEMA and MDEM Senior Leaders meet with Somerset County officials, Crisfield leaders and local partners to discuss the city's participation in FEMA's BRIC-Direct Technical Assistance Program.
On Feb. 26, FEMA senior officials joined local leaders to celebrate non-financial climate planning provided to Crisfield, Maryland and a resilience grant to Tulsa, Oklahoma, due to FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program.
Officials highlighted ways communities can take advantage of the agency’s Direct Technical Assistance program that offers free help in the application process and how FEMA grants can help them become more resilient to severe weather events and future hazards. Both events align with FEMA’s Year of Resilience commitment to build local capacity to withstand tomorrow’s hazards.
In Crisfield, FEMA Region 3 leaders joined local officials for a press event highlighting the city’s participation in the BRIC Direct Technical Assistance program. Crisfield is one of the 74 communities that lack resources receiving free FEMA help with hazard mitigation planning and BRIC project support.
The community faces flooding that interrupts daily life several times a year. Located on the Tangier Sound -- an arm of the Chesapeake Bay -- near the mouth of the Little Annemessex River, they are requesting support to address coastal flooding and storm surge challenges. FEMA is assisting the community to develop a sub-application through the BRIC national competition.
In Tulsa, FEMA Region 6 and local officials announced a $19.6 million FEMA grant through the BRIC program to address multiple climate challenges, such as flooding and extreme heat. The grant includes upgrading stormwater drainage, acquiring flood-prone properties and using nature-based solutions to reduce heat islands to reduce risk and safeguarding the public.
The climate resiliency enhancements qualify as a Justice40 project, delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s aim to reach 40% of climate benefits to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, overburdened by pollution and underserved.
Read more at FEMA.gov.
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Apply by March 6 to Attend Tribal Nations Training Week, March 9-16
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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FEMA and Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers to Webinar on Disaster Preparedness for Caregivers, March 7
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.
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.
For more information about FEMA and RCI’s efforts to support caregivers, please visit the RCI webpage at rosalynncarter.org.
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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. Register for a webinar on Zoom using the links below:
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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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 Hosts Webinar on Resource Management Tool for Incidents
FEMA will host two webinars that will focus on the Resource Typing Library Tool (the tool), a web-based catalog that serves as an authoritative source for all FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) and National Qualification System (NQS) resource types. The webinars will be held on March 13 and 19 from 1-2 p.m. ET.
Resource management is critical to prepare for and respond to incidents that require mutual aid among agencies and jurisdictions.
To attend the webinars, FEMA encourages participants to register in advance. Visit the links below to register for the March 13 or March 19 session:
For more information on the Resource Typing Library Tool, visit Resource Typing Library Tool.
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FEMA Integrated Public Assistance Forms Available for 60-Day Review
FEMA is requesting public review and comment on its updated Integrated Public Assistance Application (IPA) forms. These forms standardize required information and documentation for the agency’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide. The updated forms are available for a 60-day public comment period, which closes April 1.
These documents reduce the administrative burden of collecting required information by 20%, which meets the Paperwork Reduction Act requirements. This integrated approach to collecting required information will reduce program complexities. The information provided in the initial forms facilitate early identification of an applicant’s critical needs and the type of customer support required to dynamically tailor federal resources to an applicant based on their specific circumstances and resulting needs.
FEMA published the notice for the revision of the forms in the Federal Register (Federal Register: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Public Assistance Program).
The IPA forms and comment matrix may be accessed at Integrated Public Assistance Application (IPA) Public Comment Period | FEMA.gov.
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FEMA Co-Hosts 2024 Partnership Forum Highlighting Stories of Resilience
Registration is now open for the Resilient Nation Partnership Network (RNPN) 2024 Partnership Forum co-hosted with the Sundance Institute. The theme of this year's forum is, “Stories of Resilience: Voices that Inspire.”
What started as a handful of like-minded individuals, has flourished to more than 1,600 organizations represented. It will feature panel discussions with filmmakers and community leaders on resilience challenges and will focus on ways to use storytelling to advance action toward natural hazard resilience.
Each session will feature diverse speakers discussing and inspiring community-led resilience. Sessions will take place online each Thursday in April (April 4, 11, 18, 25) from 1 – 3 p.m. ET.
Registration is open to all. To register and learn more, visit Resilient Nation Partnership Network | FEMA.gov.
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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 assets 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, 2024. The funding opportunity is available on Grants.gov.
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