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FEMA continues to reduce funding barriers by making it easier to approve hazard mitigation projects.
The agency is streamlining Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) to facilitate access to make more communities resilient to natural hazards and the effects of climate change. This addresses long-standing barriers certain communities—particularly those that are underserved—have had accessing mitigation grants through the Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs and Public Assistance mitigation funding.
This aligns with the FEMA Year of Resilience goal to build local capacity to withstand tomorrow’s hazards as well as the agency’s “people first” commitment to help communities, families and businesses build climate resilience.
FEMA is reducing the discount rate from 7% to 3.1% to make it easier for states, Tribal Nations, territories and local governments to demonstrate cost-effectiveness of hazard mitigation projects when completing a Benefit-Cost Analysis. More information about a Benefit-Cost Analysis is available on FEMA.gov.
FEMA’s Benefit-Cost Analysis toolkit has the discount rate built into its calculations and has been updated. Applicants do not need to perform separate calculations or redownload the toolkit to use the new discount rate.
Here are other ways that FEMA is simplifying the benefit-cost analysis requirements for its hazard mitigation grant programs:
- Implementing distributional weights in determining the cost-effectiveness of a hazard mitigation project. The distributional weights will automatically adjust the Benefit-Cost Analysis results by increasing the building replacement value for properties located in census tracts with household incomes below the national median. These benefits will make it easier for projects in disadvantaged communities to be eligible for mitigation grant funding.
- No longer requiring a full Benefit-Cost Analysis for projects being funded through its Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs with a total cost of less than $1 million.
- Offering FEMA Benefit-Cost Analysis assistance to disadvantaged communities and Tribal Nations to determine hazard mitigation project cost-effectiveness.
- Updating the pre-calculated benefit amounts that can be used to determine hazard mitigation project cost-effectiveness. The term “pre-calculated benefit” refers to a benefit value that has been calculated based on research and statistical analysis or computer modeling of mitigation projects. Pre-calculated benefits simplify the cost-effectiveness determination process by eliminating the requirement for applicants to conduct separate BCAs for eligible projects.
By making it easier to demonstrate cost-effectiveness for hazard mitigation projects, applicants and subapplicants can more effectively implement and fund resiliency initiatives that will save lives and protect infrastructure and property.
For questions about Benefit-Cost Analysis or the Benefit-Cost Analysis Toolkit, email the helpline at bchelpline@fema.dhs.gov or call toll free at 855-540-6744, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
The fiscal year (FY) 2024 spring application period for the National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) state assistance is tentatively scheduled to open in late May 2024. Funding amounts will be similar to the FY23 amounts.
The State Assistance grant program aims to provide funding to eligible applicants for dam safety efforts across the nation. In a 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 may only submit one grant application.
FY24 fall awards were announced in April. Amounts can be viewed on FEMA.gov.
The application period is expected to close in July 2024, and notifications of awards will begin in late August 2024. FEMA is sharing this information so that states and territories have visibility and can begin preparing applications. More details will be released as soon as they are available.
Dams are a critical part of our nation's infrastructure and almost everyone enjoys the benefits they provide which include flood protection, water supply, hydropower, irrigation and recreation. However, dam structures are aging and deteriorating across the nation, while populations downstream and upstream of the dam are growing – increasing risks for dam-related emergencies.
For more information, visit FEMA's Dam Safety webpage.
The fiscal year 2024 fall application review period for the National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) grant has been extended.
Pending additional delays, awards will be announced in late May or early June 2024 which will conclude Part 1 of the HHPD application process. The available amount for FY24 fall HHPD grants is approximately $185 million. The grants are funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Post-award webinars will be held after the award notifications are complete.
The deadline to submit scope of work packages, or Part 2 of the process, was originally July 31, 2024, but will now be moved to late August or early September 2024 – depending upon when the awards are announced. More details will be released as soon as they are available.
Future HHPD grant funding amounts and dates have yet to be determined.
For more information, visit FEMA's Dam Safety webpage or click here to sign up for the Dam Safety mailing list.
FEMA announced that both 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.
For a list of the allocations, visit FEMA.gov. FEMA will distribute funding on a rolling basis as eligible applicants submit requests until the total available funding amount of $300 million is exhausted.
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 having a major disaster declaration for a flood-related disaster event beginning June 1, 2023, through May 31, 2024. A flood-related disaster event includes coastal storms, hurricanes, remnants of hurricanes and floods.
Additional criteria may be found on FEMA.gov.
This funding opportunity is made available using funds from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 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 event.
Examples of projects eligible for this funding include property acquisition and demolition, elevation and relocation. To be eligible, buildings must be insured through the National Flood Insurance Program.
The application period for this opportunity opened 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 to submit subapplications for their consideration.
FEMA will work with states, Tribal Nation and territories to explore their participation during this cycle. Potential applicants who have questions may contact their FEMA regional office while interested subapplicants should contact their state or territory hazard mitigation officer.
Building Safety Month is an education campaign observed each May to raise awareness about building safety and the criticality of adopting modern building codes and protecting homes, schools and communities from natural hazards. Led by the International Code Council, this year’s overall theme is “Mission Possible” and weekly themes focus on certain areas.
Preparing a Building Safety Plan brings together how building safety impacts our day-to-day lives while highlighting actionable steps we can take within our homes to stay safe. Week two concentrates on how to prepare for a disaster, how to plan ahead to limit damage to buildings from natural hazards in your own home and community and how to be more sustainable to ensure a cleaner and greener tomorrow.
It is on each of us, as individuals, families and members of the community, to identify the potential disasters we may face and to proactively mitigate these risks by leveraging tips and learning about building codes.
FEMA is highlighting a comprehensive checklist aimed at getting you and your family prepared! Teachers and families can use FEMA’s Earthquake Safety Checklist FEMA B-526 as a quick reference guide to help prepare for an earthquake and prevent earthquake-related damage to their homes. In addition, this resource for homeowners identifies and encourages suggestions to fix at-risk areas of your home to reduce earthquake damage and disruption.
For additional information on the 2024 National Building Safety Month, visit the International Code Council.
Learn more about Building Science on FEMA.gov or contact your local or regional building science point of contact at the agency.
FEMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. This MOU formalizes our countries’ mutual commitment to advancing global resilience and sharing emergency management strategies. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell joined the Director General of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency Charlotte Petri Gornitzka and Sweden’s Minister of Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin at the Swedish embassy.
Read the full press release on FEMA.gov.
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FEMA’s Planning, Safety and Building Science Director and lead of the agency’s Building Codes Strategy, Ed Laatsch, shares more about the importance of building codes and how they contribute to a more-resilient nation.
Read the full blog on FEMA.gov
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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. Register for the last session below. If you require assistive accommodations to participate in these sessions, please email us at national-resilience@fema.dhs.gov.
- 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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International Code Council Hosts a Mission Possible Panel to Celebrate Building Safety Month on Thursday, May 16
Join the International Code Council and FEMA for a Building Safety Month panel recognizing the second 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:
- Date: Thursday, May 16
- Time: 4 – 5 p.m. ET
- Location: 200 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 2nd Floor Conference Center
- Livestream: 2024 Building Safety Month Webpage
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.
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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 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. The system 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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Attend Webinar on FEMA-Provided Continuous Improvement Templates and Resources
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.
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.
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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 of $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 in funds 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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FY24 FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program State Assistance Grant Applications Available this Month
The Fiscal Year 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction program Multi-State and National Earthquake Assistance funding opportunity was made available May 8 on grants.gov/search-results-detail/354079. The Fiscal Year 2024 FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Individual State Earthquake Assistance Program Notice of Funding Opportunity opens May 17.
The application period for each funding opportunity is as follows:
- Fiscal Year 2024 Multi-State and National Earthquake Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity will close 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 National Earthquake Hazards Reduction program 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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FEMA Seeking Feedback on Draft “Engaging Faith-Based and Community Organizations: Planning Considerations for Emergency Managers”
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.”
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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