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In August, FEMA will launch the Recipients’ Awareness Campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to educate and inform FEMA grant recipients and sub-recipients about compliance with civil rights laws and their responsibilities to administer programs and activities without discrimination. The campaign will help recipients and their communities develop effective, efficient, inclusive disaster preparedness and recovery strategies.
During the trainings, FEMA’s Office of Civil Rights will directly engage a large audience of recipients and sub-recipients with information about relevant civil rights laws and executive orders that affect how they provide services to their beneficiaries. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about compliance with civil rights laws as they create or review their policies and programs.
The first training session will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 21, from noon to 4 p.m. ET, with others to follow throughout the year.
If you know a recipient or sub-recipient of FEMA’s financial assistance, please send them a message and encourage them to register to attend. For more information, they can contact FEMA-RecipientsAwarenessCampaign@fema.dhs.gov.
Nueva campaña ofrece adiestramiento en derechos civiles para los receptores de subvenciones de FEMA
En agosto, FEMA lanzará la Campaña de concientización para receptores. El propósito de la campaña es educar e informar a los receptores y subreceptores de subvenciones de FEMA sobre el cumplimiento de las leyes de derechos civiles y sus responsabilidades de administrar programas y actividades sin discriminación. La campaña ayudará a los receptores y a sus comunidades a desarrollar estrategias de preparación y recuperación por desastres que sean eficaces, eficientes e inclusivas.
Durante los cursos, los miembros del personal de la Oficina de Derechos Civiles de FEMA se dirigirán directamente a una gran audiencia de receptores y subreceptores con información sobre las leyes y órdenes ejecutivas vigentes en el ámbito de los derechos civiles que afectan la forma en que brindan servicios a sus beneficiarios. Los participantes tendrán la oportunidad de hacer preguntas sobre el cumplimiento de las leyes de derechos civiles a medida que redactan o revisan sus políticas y programas.
La primera sesión de capacitación se llevará a cabo el 21 de agosto de 2024, de 12:00 p.m. a 4:00 p.m., hora del Este, mientras otras sesiones se llevarán a cabo a lo largo del año. Si conoce a un receptor o subreceptor de asistencia económica de FEMA, envíele un mensaje y anímele a inscribirse para asistir. Para más información, pueden comunicarse con FEMA-RecipientsAwarenessCampaign@fema.dhs.gov.
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The FEMA Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program (REPP) will host Lunch and Learn opportunities every Thursday in August. Each session will focus on a different topic, covering updates to the 2023 REP Program Manual (RPM).
The series follows the successful June series, providing a second opportunity for attendees to join FEMA staff and ask questions about important topics in the latest REP Program Manual.
The list of topics covered each week are below:
- August 8 - Part 1: The Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program and FEMA's REPP Administration and Appendices.
- August 15 - Part 2: REPP Planning Guidance.
- August 22 - Part 3: REPP Alert and Notification System Guidance.
- August 29 - Part 4: REPP Assessment Policies and Guidance.
After registration, you will receive a meeting invitation with the link to attend.
For more information about REPP sessions and registration, visit the events page on FEMA.gov.
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Attend FEMA Webinars on the Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool 2024 Update
For the fifth consecutive year, FEMA is announcing updates to a free, easy-to-use geographic information systems (GIS) tool that helps emergency managers and community partners visualize, prioritize and implement strategies to build resilience. This tool assesses potential challenges to community resilience to help make strategic decisions for mitigation, response and recovery.
The 2024 update of the Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT) includes new census data from the American Community Survey five-year estimate (2018-2022) and updated Community Resilience Challenges Indices (CRCI) for counties and census tracts. The web map allows users of all GIS skill levels to combine layers of community resilience indicators, infrastructure locations and hazard data. The 2024 update also includes a preview of Future RAPT built with ArcGIS Experience Builder, Esri’s new web app tool.
FEMA will host three interactive webinars on RAPT. Each webinar will cover the same content. Please register for one of these 60-minute sessions:
Visit the RAPT Resource Center to access supporting materials, learn more about RAPT functionality and see how it can improve resilience planning in your community.
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FEMA Announces $5.4M Available in Competitive Training Grants for Rural and Tribal Preparedness
FEMA has made $5.4 million available for the Fiscal Year 2024 Competitive Training Grants to focus on “Rural and Tribal Preparedness for Equitable Outcomes." These funds are provided through the Homeland Security National Training Program’s Continuing Training Grants. This program helps develop and deliver FEMA-certified training solutions to help the emergency management and first responder communities. Funding through the grants is provided as a cooperative agreement and awarded directly to the recipients.
The delivery and development of these innovative training programs play an important role in implementing the National Preparedness System and support the core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal for a secure and resilient nation.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity was posted on Grants.gov, Monday, July 8. Eligible Homeland Security National Training Program applicants must submit their application no later than 11:59 p.m. ET, Friday, Aug. 16.
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FEMA Seeks Social Scientist to Improve Community Preparedness
FEMA is searching nationwide for an experienced social scientist to assist the agency in integrating social and behavioral science best practices to improve the equitable, people-centered delivery of our products and programs. Applications for this unique opportunity are being accepted until Aug. 18.
The Social Scientist Partner will work with programs across the agency, advising on implementing data informed decision making. Candidates should have an advanced degree in sociology, anthropology, psychology or a related social science discipline, proven experience in conducting social science research, strong written and verbal skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
More information, including application instructions, can be found at Social Scientist Partnership on FEMA.gov.
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FEMA Requests Public Comment on Latest Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide
FEMA is requesting public comments on its latest Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide, which focuses on plain language and increased eligibility for assistance. The 60-day public comment period opened June 18, and written comments may be submitted on the Federal Register Portal and FEMA.gov through Aug. 19.
With this updated guide, Public Assistance applicants will be able to maximize the program’s authorities by submitting cost summaries for their projects rather than detailed, itemized cost information. Likewise, applicants will experience reduced documentation with the ability to group projects with similar damage together rather than undergo individual inspections to help keep recovery moving forward.
To ensure equitable outcomes, applicants can help FEMA prioritize projects that benefit vulnerable populations by submitting information to determine whether disaster impacts affect any underserved communities. In addition, Houses of Worship and their role in communities pre and post-disasters are now specifically mentioned in the guide to ensure these types of nonprofits have access to assistance. To promote resiliency when building back, version 5 includes a section on nature-based solutions, which incorporates natural features or processes into the project design and construction phase.
The guide offers an overview of Public Assistance program and policy and how to apply to all disasters declared on or after its publication date.
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FEMA Seeks Public Comment on the Community Rating System
FEMA has published a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System. The public can provide comments on the suggested alternative program features to the Community Rating System by submitting a response to the Federal Register Notice Request for Information on Regulations.gov. In addition, FEMA is offering public meetings in August and individuals can register for a session.
FEMA is seeking input on the suggestions and approaches for a redesigned Community Rating System. This is based on public input from the August 2021 request for information (Docket ID “FEMA-2021-0021”) and recommendations from the July 2023 Government Accountability Office report, FEMA's New Rate Setting Methodology Improves Actuarial Soundness but Highlights Need for Broader Program Reform (GAO-23-105977).
FEMA will host three 90-minute public meetings to explain the suggested alternative program features and how to provide information for public comment. Participants must register in advance and will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Anyone interested may register online and attend a public meeting on:
Written comments must be submitted by Sept. 9 on the Federal eRulemaking Portal, Docket ID: FEMA-2024-0022. Please follow the instructions on the page for submitting comments and contact the Regulations.gov Help Desk if you have technical issues. Visit FEMA.gov for more information about the Community Rating System.
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FEMA Requests Public Comment on Updated Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide
FEMA is requesting public comments on its updated Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) Guide, which includes clarifications for conducting joint preliminary damage assessments, adjustments on eligibility requirements and reviews on exceptions or special considerations for Tribal Nations. The 30-day public comment period opened July 22 and written comments may be submitted on FEMA.gov through Aug. 22.
The guide helps emergency management officials at all levels of government efficiently complete accurate and consistent preliminary damage assessments that align with the Stafford Act Presidential disaster declaration request requirements.
Any remarks received during the comment period will be reviewed and considered for the final version of the PDA Guide.
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FEMA Seeks Input on its Disaster Case Management Program
FEMA published a Request for Information notice on SAM.gov, seeking input from post-trauma case management and emergency management professionals to help remove barriers, identify best practices and find innovative solutions related to its Disaster Case Management program.
Insights and expertise from professionals in these fields can help inform future changes to the program, ensuring that it effectively connects survivors to the wide range of disaster assistance available.
This Request for Information is a continuation of FEMA’s recent updates to its Individual Assistance program, which focused on establishing new and flexible forms of assistance, cutting through red tape and simplifying the application process for survivors. Enhancing the Disaster Case Management program is vital to simplifying processes for survivors so they can find and access help when they need it most.
FEMA encourages all professionals in post-trauma case management and emergency management to provide their valuable feedback.
To participate, please visit the Request for Information notice on SAM.gov and submit your comments by Sunday, Aug. 25.
Please note that responses to these notices are not offers and cannot be accepted by the government to form a binding contract.
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National Floodplain Administrator Requests Assessment Survey by Aug. 30
FEMA manages the National Flood Insurance Program which includes more than 22,600 participating communities. This year, FEMA is conducting a National Floodplain Administrator Needs Assessment survey of the nation’s floodplain administrators who manage local floodplains for these jurisdictions. This is the first nationwide survey since 2009.
FEMA wants to hear from local governments and their staff about how training can be improved to help them protect their communities and retain existing floodplain administrators. The survey is available in English and Spanish. The survey will close Friday, Aug. 30.
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FEMA Announces $300M to Strengthen Community Resilience to Flooding
The third round of Swift Current funding is now available to help National Flood Insurance Program policyholders across the nation become more resilient to flooding. This funding makes $660 million, which FEMA is using from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program’s Swift Current opportunity.
For the first Swift Current announcement in 2022, FEMA made available a total of $60 million. The second announcement in 2023 made $300 million available and expanded criteria to benefit more places, which as of May 30, includes 19 states and one Tribal Nation.
The application window opened on June 1, 2024, and the last eligible disaster declaration date is May 31, 2025. The funding opportunity is available on Grants.gov. Potential applicants who have questions may contact their FEMA regional office.
All applications must be submitted in FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application deadline date will be provided to the applicant. Applications received by FEMA after the deadline will not be considered for funding. For more information, interested NFIP policyholders should contact their state or territory hazard mitigation officer.
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