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FEMA is supporting Mission Possible, the 44th Annual National Building Safety Month with the International Code Council (ICC). This month long international educational campaign raises awareness about critical safety issues from structural integrity to fire prevention, plumbing and mechanical systems and energy efficiency.
The first theme week is “Understanding the Mission.” We all have a shared responsibility to ensure the safety of our buildings. To do so, we need to start at the basics. From installing smoke alarms to adopting modern building codes to understanding the crucial role of building safety professionals, FEMA has several resources available to the public on building codes to ensure building safety is a mission we can achieve by working together.
Some of these resources include:
For additional information on the 2024 National Building Safety Month, visit the International Code Council.
Learn more about Building Science on FEMA’s website or contact your local or regional building science point of contact at the agency.
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May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month a celebration of the culture, history and achievements of AANHPI in the United States.
When considering “Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders,” a multitude of cultures are represented. There is a rich tapestry of culture and experience throughout the AANHPI community, which contributes to diversity within FEMA and in the communities that we serve.
The 2024 national theme, “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation” is a continuation of the “Advancing Leaders” series sponsored by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council. “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation” pays tribute to the visionaries and trailblazers who have framed our AANHPI history and continue to influence our collective future.
This week we are highlighting three FEMA employees in honor of AANHPI Heritage Month. Visit FEMA.gov to read the whole blog.
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The Fiscal Year 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) Multi-State and National Earthquake Assistance funding opprotunity was made available May 8 on grants.gov/search-results-detail/354079. The Fiscal Year 2024 NEHRP Individual State Earthquake Assistance Program NOFO opens May 17.
- Fiscal Year 2024 FEMA NEHRP Individual State Earthquake Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity
- Fiscal Year 2024 FEMA NEHRP Multi-State and National Earthquake Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity
These funding opportunities detail eligibility and submission requirements and provide a program overview, including objectives, priorities and allowable activities.
The application period for each funding opportunity is as follows:
- Fiscal Year 2024 Multi-State and National Earthquake Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity will open on May 8 and end at 5 p.m. on June 14 ET. All applications must be submitted in FEMA GO.
- Fiscal Year 2024 Individual State Earthquake Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity will open on May 17 and end at 5 p.m. ET on June 24. All applications must be submitted in FEMA GO.
For more information on FEMA GO please visit FEMA.gov.
FEMA invites stakeholders to visit the NEHRP State Earthquake Assistance Workshop page to view and register for upcoming training for applicants specific to the 2024 funding opportunities.
Additional information on these funding opportunities and FEMA NEHRP is available at FEMA.gov.
Community Lifelines are the most fundamental services in the community that, when stabilized, enable all other aspects of society to function. To help improve the Community Lifelines doctrine within the National Response Framework, FEMA invites all state, local, Tribal Nation and territorial partners to join the webinar series at noon ET on May 9 and 14. The first portion of the meeting will be a review of Lifelines 101 and the second half will be a Q&A session. This is your chance to contribute your thoughts and questions to the discussion.
Please note that the Zoom rooms will be muted for all participants except the host. While registering, participants can submit questions they want answered in the webinar's second part.
Please use the links below to register for the webinars:
If you have questions, email lifelines@fema.dhs.gov.
The White House kicked off the 44th annual international awareness campaign about the importance of modern building codes and strong code enforcement. The International Code Council leads this effort each May. President Joseph R. Biden signed a proclamation thanking the many building professionals who make our buildings stronger, more sustainable and more resilient.
Building codes help keep us safe at home, work and in our communities. Two-thirds of communities across our nation have yet to adopt the latest building codes, leaving them vulnerable to fires, floods, storms and extremes to heat and cold. This month is the time for individuals and communities to recommit to the work of keeping the nation’s buildings safe and built to last for generations to come.
As FEMA continues its focus on a Year of Resilience, the five themed weeks support the agency’s focus on building local capacity to withstand tomorrow’s hazards. The campaign – Mission Possible – kicked off the beginning of the month from May 1 to 5, with an introduction to building safety, an understanding of the mission of Building Safety Month and how building safety impacts us all.
The remaining weekly themes include:
Week 2, May 6-12: Preparing a Building Safety Plan
Highlights available educational resources (water/fire, sustainability and resiliency/disaster preparedness), including downloadable brochures, for building safety tips and best practices at home and in your community.
Week 3, May 13-19: Learning from the Pros
Shines a spotlight on building safety professionals, including what they do, how to work with them and how to become one yourself.
Week 4, May 20-26: Engaging Your Community
Includes information on how to advocate for building safety in your community, including actionable tips on how to be a proponent of building safety and ways to get kids involved.
Week 5, May 27-31: Celebrating Success in Building Safety
Highlighting individuals and communities that are making a difference in building safety (editorial spotlights), including sharing the current year's Building Safety Month celebrations and events.
Support this year’s campaign – Mission Impossible – and highlight these themed weeks on social media by using the hashtag #BuildingSafetyMonth2024. For more information on Building Safety Month, visit iccsafe.org.
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Join the International Code Council and FEMA for a Building Safety Month panel recognizing the 2nd anniversary of the White House’s National Initiative to Advance Building Codes, the progress made to date, and the progress remaining.
Moderated by U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, the event will feature federal, state, and local partners discussing the National Initiative, and the “Mission Possible” of expanding the adoption of resilient codes in hazard-prone and underserved communities in the face of growing disaster risks.
Following the event, in-person attendees are welcome to join the Code Council’s annual Building Safety Month reception. The reception is free and will follow Congressional gift/ethics rules.
Event Details:
Register for the in-person event here. If you are unable to attend in person, visit the Building Safety Month homepage during the event to view the livestream.
FEMA announced that Michigan and Washington are each eligible for up to $20 million in funding to reduce flood risks through the fiscal year 2023 Swift Current funding opportunity.
This announcement complements the April 17 announcement of 16 states and one Tribal Nation being eligible for up to $295 million for the same funding opportunity.
FEMA will distribute funding on a rolling basis as eligible applicants submit applications until the total available funding amount of $300 million is exhausted. To view a list of the allocations, visit FEMA.gov.
The opportunity aligns with the Year of Resilience theme to build local capacity to withstand tomorrow’s hazards.
The applicant must meet the Swift Current activation criteria, including a major disaster declaration for a flood-related disaster event from June 1, 2023, through May 31, 2024. Flood-related disaster events include coastal storms, hurricanes, remnants of hurricanes and floods. Additional criteria can be found on FEMA.gov.
This funding opportunity is made available using President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds. Swift Current funds can make homes safer and more resilient for National Flood Insurance Program policyholders with repetitively and substantially flood-damaged buildings as soon as possible after a flood-related disaster. Projects eligible for this funding include property acquisition and demolition, elevation and relocation. Buildings must be insured through the National Flood Insurance Program to be eligible.
The application period for this opportunity opened on Nov. 15, 2023. All eligible applicants must submit their FY 2023 Swift Current grant applications to FEMA via MT eGrants. Upon Swift Current activation, FEMA will provide the application deadline to the applicant.
The application deadlines are for the applicants only. Local governments should consult with their state, Tribal Nation or territorial agency to confirm deadlines for submitting subapplications for consideration.
FEMA will work with states, Tribal Nation and territories to explore their participation during this cycle. Potential applicants with questions may contact their FEMA regional office, while interested subapplicants should contact their state or territory hazard mitigation officer.
FEMA and the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships are seeking feedback on the draft, “Engaging Faith-Based and Community Organizations: Planning Considerations for Emergency Managers.”
Originally released in 2018, this document outlines best practices for engaging faith-based and community organizations before, during and after disasters to help jurisdictions improve their resilience and emergency management capabilities. Once engaged, these organizations become significant force multipliers, particularly in reaching high-risk and historically underserved community members. Lessons learned from real-world events and updates to FEMA programs since 2018 have resulted in additional considerations and resources for faith-based and community organizations.
A line-numbered version of the draft guide is provided to help identify specific areas or topics for potential updates. The feedback form can be used to capture any recommendations. Email feedback or questions to NPD-Planning@fema.dhs.gov. The feedback period will conclude at the close of business on June 21, 2024.
You can register for the sessions on FEMA.gov. To learn more about the update effort and listening sessions, please visit the FEMA website at Planning Guides on FEMA.gov.
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FEMA and the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships co-hosted a Multi-Faith Leader Climate Resilience Roundtable in April. The event brought together more than 25 agencies and organizations to address climate change and convene with faith-based organizations focused on climate resilience. This event helps organizations build local capacity, offering the opportunity to network and share lessons learned to withstand tomorrow’s hazards and how to mitigate future disasters.
The Climate Round Table provided a forum for federal and nonprofit planning and coordination, aligned with the White House National Climate Resilience Framework.
The roundtable follows several previous engagements focused on the intersection of faith-based communities and climate resilience. Attendees included:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture; Environmental Protection Agency.
- National Endowment for the Arts.
- National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters.
- The Extension Disaster Education Network.
- Build Strong Coalition of America.
- American Meteorological Society Committee on Spirituality, Multi-Faith Outreach, and Science.
- Resilient Nation Partnership Network/
- Representatives from faith- and community-based organizations and other nonprofits.
The roundtable provided a platform for sharing resources, including FEMA’s Guide to Expanding Mitigation: Making the Connection to Faith-Based Partners, and discussing FEMA and other federal agency opportunities that provide technical assistance on climate-related outreach and engagement to facilitate stronger faith and community collaboration.
Roundtable attendees learned about updates on programs, initiatives and activities where the federal government and non-government organizations can work together to lead whole community climate resilience.
FEMA appreciates collaboration with our partners and looks forward to future endeavors. Together we work toward protecting our future and building a more equitable, sustainable and resilient nation.
FEMA's Continuous Improvement Technical Assistance Program (CITAP) is hosting a webinar on how to effectively utilize the continuous improvement templates and other resources available on the CITAP PrepToolkit website. The webinar is from 10-11 a.m. ET on Tuesday, May 21, and will primarily focus on incident after-action reviews, an essential aspect of FEMA’s National Continuous Improvement Guidance, which is highly relevant to roles in emergency management.
During this webinar, FEMA will equip participants with tools to establish a clear and consistent approach to continuous improvement activities in emergency management and build organizational capabilities. The webinar will also include a tour of the most downloaded CITAP templates and guides, including the After-Action User Guide, Incident After-Action Report Template and Collection Analysis template.
The webinar is designed to support the development of state, local, Tribal Nation and territorial partners, non-governmental organizations, the private sector’s continuous improvement capabilities in emergency management.
Register in advance to attend the webinar by visiting the event page on FEMA.gov and clicking the "Register" button. If an issue arises while registering or logging in, please contact the FEMA CITAP Team at FEMA-CITAP@fema.dhs.gov.
Members of 10 Tribal Nations participated in the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Office’s first-ever meet-and-greet event with Tribal Nations last week at the second Annual Meeting of Alerting Authorities in Kansas City, Missouri.
IPAWS is FEMA’s national system for local alerting that provides authenticated emergency and life-saving information to the public through mobile phones using Wireless Emergency Alerts and to radio and television via the Emergency Alert System. Fourteen Tribal Nations are now among the 1,800-plus authorities across the country able to send alerts over IPAWS.
At the meet-and-greet in Kansas City, Tribal Nations heard from one another about success stories and best practices regarding process and procedure. They also strengthened their relationships with other Tribal Nations and with the IPAWS Office. Tribal Nations that attended requested that FEMA hold more of these events.
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May is National Wildfire Awareness Month, and Pedro the penguin wants to teach you and your kids about wildfire preparedness!
The Prepare with Pedro Wildfire Storybook is the latest in a series of storybook releases by FEMA and the American Red Cross that feature Pedro as he goes on adventures and learns how to be prepared for and take action during emergencies.
Released in English and Spanish for K-2nd graders, this storybook follows Pedro, the preparedness penguin, as he navigates what to do before, during and after a wildfire.
Visit Prepare with Pedro | Ready.gov to download the storybook. In the coming months, you can order a printed storybook from the FEMA print warehouse.
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Preparing for Hurricanes: FEMA Joins NOAA Hurricane Awareness Tour
This week FEMA is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the annual Hurricane Awareness Tour along the East Coast to encourage residents to start preparing for the upcoming hurricane season.
At each stop, the media, students and the emergency management community are invited to meet FEMA and NOAA hurricane experts, scientists and crew members. Attendees will also have the unique opportunity to tour the aircrafts that help forecasters keep us safe – NOAA’s WP-3D and the U.S. Air Force Reserve WC-130J “Hurricane Hunter.”
Tour dates and locations are below:
- May 8 - Norfolk, VA
- May 9 - Charleston, SC
- May 10 - Sanford, FL
For more information, visit NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter page.
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FEMA Seeks National Resilience Guidance Input
FEMA is seeking feedback on the draft National Resilience Guidance. National resilience is a complex topic and building it requires a whole community effort. This guidance will help everyone understand and fulfil their critical roles related to increasing national resilience. FEMA will host a series of four, 60-minute webinar sessions in May to provide an overview of the National Resilience Guidance and gather feedback from whole community partners.
Advance registration is required, and seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, click on your preferred session below. If you require assistive accommodations to participate in these sessions, please email us at national-resilience@fema.dhs.gov.
- Webinar 2: 3 - 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 9.
- Webinar 3: 3 - 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 14.
- Webinar 4: 1 - 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 15.
In addition, a line-numbered version of the draft guide is available to allow individuals to provide comments on specific areas within the document. This national engagement period will conclude on Thursday, May 23. To review the document and learn more about the webinar sessions, visit National Resilience Guidance | FEMA.gov.
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FEMA Opens 2024 National Advisory Council Member Applications for New Members
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced that the agency is taking new applications for qualified individuals to lend their expertise and serve on FEMA’s National Advisory Council (NAC), a geographically diverse and substantive cross-section of 40 members who advise the FEMA administrator on all aspects of emergency management.
If you are interested in applying to serve on FEMA’s National Advisory Council, please follow the instructions listed in the Federal Register Notice and submit your application package no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on May 12. Per the Federal Advisory Committee Act, federal employees are ineligible to apply.
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FEMA to Host Webinars on the Resource Inventory System
FEMA will host two one-hour webinars on the Resource Inventory System (RIS) from 1 - 2 p.m. ET on May 15 and May 21. Both webinars will cover the basic capabilities and functions of the system and explore new functions recently added to the tool. RIS enables organizations and users to identify and inventory their resources in ways that are consistent with National Incident Management System (NIMS) resource types and National Qualification System (NQS) positions.
The webinars will explain the role of the system in the resource management process. Participants will gain insights into updates, including the ability for an organization to choose when and how to implement updates or new releases to National Resource Types. The webinar will also explain individual ownership of an organization’s local definitions and qualifications and the ability for organization administrators to easily see and manage their users. Participants will be able to ask questions at the end of the presentation.
To learn more about resource management, visit Resource Management - NIMS Toolkit - Preparedness Toolkit (fema.gov).
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New Guidance on Climate Adaption Planning for Emergency Managers
FEMA released the “Climate Adaptation Planning: Guidance for Emergency Managers.” The agency will host a series of 60-minute webinar sessions to provide an overview of the guide and associated resources. The webinars will also provide information on the Emergency Management Institute’s “Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Certificate Program.”
Advance registration is required, and seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, click on your preferred session below:
- Webinar 2: 4 - 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 15.
- Webinar 3: 2 - 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 21.
If you require assistive accommodations to participate in these sessions, please email us at NPD-Planning@fema.dhs.gov.
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FEMA Region 6 Hosts Hiring Event on May 21
FEMA Region 6 will host a hiring event from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. CT on Tuesday, May 21. Ideal candidates must be able to represent FEMA’s core values of compassion, fairness, integrity and respect. Hiring officials will be available onsite to address questions and conduct interviews on the spot.
The four locations will be:
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Russell Newman Building-Suite 5
Main Entrance with Blue Awning
600 N. Loop 288, Denton, Texas 76209
Contact: jones8@fema.dhs.gov
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Texas Integration Recovery Office
12515-8 Research Blvd., Austin, Texas 78759
Contact: roger.ates@fema.dhs.gov
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Louisiana Integration & Recovery Office
1500 Main St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Contact: marshall@fema.dhs.gov
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Louisiana Integration Recovery Office
1100 Allen Toussaint Blvd New Orleans, LA 70124
Contact: marshall@fema.dhs.gov
Positions available:
- Environmental protection specialist.
- Emergency management specialist.
- Logistics management specialist.
- Grants management specialist.
- Civil engineer.
- Contract specialist.
For more information, visit Region 6 | FEMA.gov for specific job announcements. Visit Careers at FEMA | FEMA.gov to learn more about working with the agency. For questions about the hiring event, email the contact for the specific location.
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Public Comment Period Open for Federal Flood Standard Website and Support Tool
Flooding is the most common and costly natural hazard in the United States. According to NOAA’s Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters from 1980-2023, flood-related losses have cost the nation an average $4.3 billion per year.
The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) published a Notice of Availability for public comment on two draft resources. The public can review a beta version of the Federal Flood Standard Support website and the Federal Flood Standard Support Tool. These digital resources can assist federal agencies and applicants or recipients of federal financial assistance in the implementation of the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard. The deadline to submit comments is May 28.
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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 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 on Grants.gov. Eligible entities must apply for funding using the Non-Disaster Grants Management System on the FEMA website. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. ET. by Thursday, May 30.
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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. 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 through the FEMA website, while interested sub-applicants should contact their state or territory hazard mitigation officer through the FEMA website. All eligible applicants must submit their FY 2023 Swift Current grant applications to FEMA via the Mitigation eGrants webpage. Upon Swift Current activation, FEMA will provide the application deadline to the applicant.
The application period opened on Nov. 15, 2023, and the last eligible disaster declaration date is May 31, 2024. Full details are available on Grants.gov.
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FEMA Announces More Than $103M Available to Assist Emergency Operations Centers Nationwide
FEMA released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year 2024 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Grant Program on April 25. The program provides more than $103 million to eligible for state and local governments, as well as Tribal Nations, for equipping, upgrading or constructing emergency operations center projects determined by Congress.
Only State Administrative Agencies (on behalf of state and local units of government) and federally recognized Tribes with projects identified in Appendix A of the funding notice are eligible to apply. The EOC Grant Program is congressionally directed spending with Congress determining the funded projects.
The application period will remain open until 5 p.m. ET on Friday, June 7. Application submissions must be made through FEMA Grants Outcomes (GO). The NOFO is available on Grants.gov (Assistance Listings Number 97.052) and www.fema.gov/grants.
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National Hurricane Program Hosts HURREVAC Webinar Series for Emergency Managers
The National Hurricane Program is a partnership between FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the NOAA National Hurricane Center. From June 10 – 14, FEMA's National Hurricane Program will host a five-day HURREVAC training for emergency managers. Each session will start at 2 p.m. ET and run 60–90 minutes.
HURREVAC is a free, web-based decision-support tool that assists emergency managers by providing information and tools to inform hurricane response decisions in advance of a threatening storm. Interested emergency managers can register now for this annual HURREVAC webinar series.
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Funding Opportunity for the FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program for Fiscal Year 2024 is Now Open
The Fiscal Year 2024 FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) Multi-State and National Earthquake Assistance (MSNEA) Notice of Funding Opportunity is now available on https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/354079.
This funding opportunity details eligibility and submission requirements and provides a program overview, including objectives, priorities and allowable activities.
The Fiscal Year 2024 Multi-State and National Earthquake Assistance Notice of Funding
Opportunity application period opens May 8 and will end at 5 p.m. ET on June 14, 2024. All applications must be submitted in FEMA GO.
The Fiscal Year 2024 FEMA NEHRP Individual State Earthquake Assistance Program Notice of Funding Opportunity opens May 17 and will end at 5 p.m. ET on June 24, 2024.
For more information on FEMA GO please visit FEMA.gov.
FEMA invites stakeholders to visit the NEHRP State Earthquake Assistance Workshop page to view and register for upcoming training for applicants specific to the 2024 funding opportunities.
Additional information on these funding opportunities and FEMA NEHRP is available at FEMA.gov.
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