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The Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative and the National Museum of the American Indian are offering a new training opportunity for cultural heritage professionals and emergency management personnel who work with cultural collections in Tribal Nations. The Heritage Emergency and Response Training (HEART) for Native Communities will take place from April 7-11 in Washington, D.C. Interested participants must apply by Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 11:59 p.m. ET. All information about the program, including registration and application instructions, can be found on the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative’s webpage.
This training opportunity aims to support Tribal Nations and U.S.-based professionals who work with Native communities and their cultural heritage. Participants will gain skills and experience in disaster response, enhancing their capacity to protect Indigenous material culture. Participation is encouraged by both cultural stewards and first responder/emergency managers.
The sessions will provide realistic, hands-on training, which will include:
- Damage assessment.
- Rapid documentation.
- Emergency evacuation and salvage.
- Teambuilding.
Pre-readings and optional supplemental activities will be offered prior to the start of the training.
HEART for Native Communities builds on the existing HEART curriculum, blending the expertise of the Smithsonian Cultural Resource initiative and its home unit, the Museum Conservation Institute, with the knowledge and experience of colleagues from the National Museum of the American Indian.
After the registration deadline, 25 participants will be selected from cultural heritage and first responder/emergency management organizations that work with Native communities in the United States or U.S. territories. The announcement date will be provided later.
Recognizing that successful recovery of cultural collections comes through collaboration among various professionals, the goal of the HEART for Native Communities program is to bring together individuals with a variety of experiences working with Indigenous cultures.
This training is organized by the following:
Please send questions to the National Museum of American Indian’s Outreach and Engagement Planning Office by emailing NMAI-OutreachOffice@si.edu.
For more information about the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, please email hentf@si.edu. For details about the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative, please email culturalrescue@si.edu.
FEMA is hosting three 60-minute webinars on the connections among continuous improvement activities, exercises and the Threat Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment/Stakeholder Preparedness Review. The webinars will also consider how data from these activities can feed into the National Preparedness System.
This webinar is designed to support state, local, Tribal Nation and territorial partners, non-governmental organizations and the private sector’s efforts to use exercise and real-world incident data to drive change through the Threat Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment/Stakeholder Preparedness Review and Integrated Preparedness Planning processes.
To register for the webinar, please click on the “Register” link below:
- Webinar 1: 10-11 a.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 10 - Register.
- Webinar 2: 2-3 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 13 - Register.
- Webinar 3: 4-5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Feb. 18 - Register.
Participants can download or read the National Continuous Improvement Guidance by visiting the National Continuous Improvement Guidance Preparedness Toolkit.
To download the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Plan (HSEEP) doctrine, visit the HSEEP Policy and Guidance webpage. To download the Threat Hazard Identification and Risk Management Assessment/Stakeholder Preparedness Review Guide, please visit the Unified Reporting Tool.
For questions or help with registration, please email FEMA-CITAP@fema.dhs.gov.
For more information on the webinar series, visit FEMA.gov.
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Teens in grades eight through 11 who are interested in applying for the Youth Preparedness Council can learn more about the process and have their questions answered in a webinar at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The webinar will walk students through the application process and give applicants a glimpse of what it’s like to be on the council. Please register for this webinar in advance using this Zoom link.
During their one-year term, council members collaborate virtually with each other to develop projects that promote preparedness on a local and national scale. Members will also have the chance to engage with top leaders within FEMA, the federal government and national nonprofit organizations.
If you know a teen interested in preparedness and community service, encourage them to apply.
The Youth Preparedness Council application period closes on Monday, March 3. To learn more about the Youth Preparedness Council and the application requirements, visit FEMA.gov.
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The U.S. Fire Administration will host the 2025 Executive Fire Officer and Leadership Symposium at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, on April 25 and 26.
The Executive Fire Officer and Leadership Symposium is an annual event for current and future fire and EMS leaders, Executive Fire Officer Program graduates and students.
The goals of the Symposium are to:
- Provide a curriculum extension and update of the Executive Fire Officer Program.
- Spotlight outstanding Executive Fire Officer student research.
- Officially recognize recent Executive Fire Officer graduates.
- Facilitate dialogue and networking among the U.S. Fire Administration staff, Executive Fire Officer graduates, students and leaders in fire and EMS.
- Provide high-quality presentations by private and public sector representatives.
Speakers will present on a wide range of topics, including fire service leadership, ethics, organizational management, emerging technology, modern fire protection, response to fast-growing fires and more.
Registration is now open! Visit Executive Fire Officer and Leadership Symposium for more information on registration instructions, speakers and travel and lodging for the event.
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 Anniston, Ala. (March 15, 2024) - During the 2024 Tribal Nations Training Week, attendees participated in real-life emergency response scenarios.
Register for the 10th annual Tribal Nations Training Week, hosted by the Center for Domestic Preparedness. The weeklong training will take place from April 26 to May 3. It is designed for state, local, Tribal Nations and territorial emergency responders who have affiliations with one or more Tribal Nations or the Indian Health Service.
The 2025 event will feature courses in 10 tracks separate tracks, including:
- Cyber.
- Weather Preparedness.
- Continuity of Operations.
- Tribal Curriculum.
- Executive.
- Funding.
- Exercise.
- Three Healthcare Tracks: Managing Public Information, Healthcare Leadership and Healthcare Emergency Response Team.
In coordination with the Center for Domestic Preparedness, training will be provided by the following:
- FEMA’s National Disaster and Emergency Management University.
- The Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium.
- National Center for Domestic Preparedness.
- Texas A&M’s Engineering Extension Service.
- The National Disaster Preparedness Training Center.
To register, email FEMA-tribalnationscdp@fema.dhs.gov.
You must have a FEMA Student Identification (SID) number to apply for a course. To register for a FEMA SID number, follow the steps below:
If you encounter any issues, please email the FEMA SID help desk at femasidhelp@cdpemail.dhs.gov. Please keep in mind that registering for a FEMA SID number does not register you for a class.
Virtual Tribal Nations Training Week, May 5-9
State, local, Tribal Nations and territorial responders affiliated with one or more Tribal Nations or the Indian Health Service who cannot attend the in-person training are encouraged to email FEMA-tribalnationscdp@fema.dhs.gov to register for the virtual instructor-led Tribal Nation Training Week being offered from May 5-9. If you encounter any problems registering for the virtual training week, please email VILTSupport@cdpemail.dhs.gov
For any Tribal-related questions or concerns, please email the Tribal Nations Planning Group at FEMA-tribalnationscdp@fema.dhs.gov.
For more information about the 2025 Tribal Nations Training Week, visit the Center for Domestic Preparedness webpage.
FEMA is hosting a series of virtual training sessions on the federal procurement rules applicable to recipients and subrecipients purchasing under a FEMA grant award or declaration. These trainings are facilitated by the agency's Grant Programs Directorate Procurement Under Grants Division (PUG) and offered on various dates from January through the end of the year.
More than 50 training sessions are scheduled to cover various procurement under grant concepts, frequent compliance issues, domestic preference requirements and to highlight various user-friendly resources. The various training sessions include:
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Procurement Under Grants Training: Introduction (PUG 101 Intro: 1 Hour) – This training provides an overview of federal procurement under grants rules for recipients and subrecipients when purchasing under a FEMA grant.
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Procurement Under Grants Training: Introduction for Non-Disaster Grants (PUG Intro for Non-Disaster Grants: 1 Hour) – This training educates recipients and subrecipients on the federal procurement under grants rules applicable when purchasing under a FEMA non-disaster grant. Information on domestic preferences and Build America, Buy America Act requirements.
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Procurement Under Grant (PUG) Training- Common Mistakes (PUG Common Mistakes: 1 Hour) – This training presents the most common noncompliance findings from the Office of Inspector General audit reports. Participants learn about common procurement compliance pitfalls and how to avoid them.
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Procurement Under Grants Training: Emergency or Exigency (PUG E&E: 1 Hour) – This training educates recipients and subrecipients on federal procurement under grants rules applicable when purchasing during exigency or emergency circumstances.
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Procurement Under Grants Training: Navigating Compliance in the Procurement Lifecycle (PUG: Lifecycle: 2 Hours) – This lecture-style training walks the audience through the various stages of the procurement lifecycle and how federal procurement rules relate to each phase of the procurement lifecycle. Prior participation in PUG 101 or E&E webinars is encouraged but not required.
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Procurement Under Grants Training: Beyond the Basics (PUG: Beyond the Basics: 3 Hours) – This interactive course presents core and advanced procurement concepts under grants in lecture form, followed by independent activities that apply the information to real-life scenarios.
These trainings are appropriate for FEMA staff, award recipients and subrecipients, including state, local, Tribal Nation and territorial government personnel; nonprofit organization staff; eligible private entities and other recipients and subrecipients of FEMA grants.
These training sessions will be delivered using Adobe Connect. For a complete list of the training titles, dates and access information, visit Procurement Under Grants Training | FEMA.gov.
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The National Business Emergency Operations Center serves the nation by connecting business and industry organizations with FEMA’s federal disaster management operations. The National Business Emergency Operations Center is a free staffed virtual platform that provides business, industry and government agencies a venue to share situational awareness updates before, during and after a disaster.
To join the National Business Emergency Operations Center and access its new dashboard, complete a free membership agreement form by emailing NBEOC@connect.gov.
Special membership benefits include:
- Secure Two-Factor Authentication Platform.
- Access to scheduled coordination calls.
- Dedicated service desk and discussion board.
- Invitations to specialized engagement events.
- Resources to help businesses navigate the disaster lifecycle.
- Situational awareness of business continuity decisions.
- And collaboration opportunities for disaster planning, training and exercises.
For more information, visit National Business Emergency Operations Center | FEMA.gov.
If you know of organizations that would benefit from the National Business Emergency Operations Center membership, please have them contact FEMA's Office of Business, Industry and Infrastructure Integration team by emailing nbeoc@connect.gov to join today!
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FEMA’s Ready Campaign and the Ad Council partnered with DreamWorks Animation’s new film, Dog Man, based on the best-selling Dav Pilkey book series, for a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign. The campaign features the beloved canine crime-fighting hero spreading the message to children across the nation about the importance of being ready for the unexpected.
Ready campaign messaging includes a four-step approach to preparedness:
- Be informed about different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate protective action.
- Make a family emergency plan, including information on how to reconnect and reunite.
- Build emergency supply kits to ensure preparedness whether at home, at work or in the car.
- Get involved by finding opportunities to support community preparedness.
The new PSAs are an extension of FEMA and the Ad Council’s ongoing partnership on the Ready campaign, which has helped generate more than 128 million visitors to Ready.gov and Listo.gov in Spanish since its launch in 2003. The Ready Campaign is designed to educate and empower all Americans to prepare for and respond to disasters, including earthquakes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires.
Watch the 30-second PSAs in English or Spanish on FEMA’s YouTube Channel. For information on what to do before, during or after emergencies, visit Ready.gov and Listo.gov in Spanish.
To read the full press release, visit FEMA.gov.
FEMA continues working with state, local, federal, nonprofit and Tribal Nations partners to support the California wildfire response, with teams actively on the ground to support the state-led disaster response. So far, FEMA has provided more than $57 million to survivors affected by the Southern California wildfires to help cover home repairs, find a place to stay and assist with other essential needs.
Disaster Assistance
If you were affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles County, you may be eligible for FEMA financial assistance. After filing a claim with your insurance company, you can apply for FEMA assistance by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov. If you use a relay service such as VRS, give FEMA your number for that service. The phone line is open daily from 7 a.m. to midnight PT, and help is available in most languages.
The deadline to apply for assistance for the wildfires is March 10.
After you apply with FEMA for disaster assistance, you may wonder what comes next. FEMA may call you for more information or to give you an update. Messages from FEMA will arrive by email, phone or text. You will know the message comes from FEMA if it is from one of the following sources:
Visit FEMA.gov to learn the steps you can take to help move your disaster recovery forward.
Disaster Recovery Centers
There are currently two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Los Angeles for people to get in-person help with FEMA assistance. If you need additional support or would like help uploading documents, you can visit a DRC to apply for assistance and learn about resources from FEMA and other state organizations to aid you in your recovery.
To find the nearest DRC, text “DRC” along with your ZIP Code to 43362 or visit the DRC Locator. At DRCs, you can get help applying for federal assistance, speak to representatives from state and federal agencies, receive updates on your FEMA application for assistance and learn about the appeals process.
Temporary Housing Assistance
Los Angeles residents displaced by the wildfires may be eligible for temporary housing assistance while they work on their long-term housing plan. This can include funds for a temporary place to live while their home is repaired, temporary stays in participating hotels, and more.
The first step to receive temporary housing is applying for FEMA assistance by:
Clean and Sanitize Assistance
If your home was damaged by the Los Angeles County Wildfires but you can live in it safely, FEMA may be able to provide up to $300 in one-time financial assistance to help with cleanup. This assistance is for eligible homeowners and renters and is in addition to other FEMA grants you may be eligible for.
To get Clean and Sanitize assistance, you must first apply for FEMA assistance. To apply, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or apply in person at a DRC.
Beware of Stolen Identity Fraud and Other Disaster Recovery Scams and Deceptions
Some Californians impacted by the Los Angeles County wildfires may be targeted with scams and fraudulent schemes. If you suspect fraud, call the FEMA Helpline immediately at 800-621-3362 or speak to a FEMA representative at a Disaster Recovery Center. If you did not apply for assistance but received a letter from FEMA about your application, call the FEMA Helpline to stop further processing of the application and investigate the apparent fraud. Visit IdentityTheft.gov for more information and steps you can take if you suspect you're the victim of identity theft.
Resources to Help Survivors and Responders
The Disaster Distress Helpline is available anytime to provide support. Survivors and responders feeling overwhelmed can call or text 1-800-985-5990 to receive free, confidential support in any language. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to anyone experiencing emotional distress due to disasters. Help is available in multiple languages. Spanish speakers should press "2." Deaf and hard-of-hearing ASL callers can text the Disaster Distress Helpline or call the hotline using a preferred third-party relay service.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a free and confidential resource available for those who need to connect with a mental health professional. You can also visit the 988 website that has a feature to chat online.
For more information and resources, visit 4856 | FEMA.gov
 Altadena, Calif. (January 28, 2025) - FEMA assists wildfire survivors in navigating their recovery process and applying for disaster assistance at its Disaster Recovery Center.
 Altadena, Calif. (January 28, 2025) - FEMA assists wildfire survivors in navigating their recovery process and applying for disaster assistance at its Disaster Recovery Center.
Annual FEMA Offer for Exercise Support Now Open
FEMA's National Exercise Program provides state, local, Tribal Nation and territorial jurisdictions with no-cost technical assistance for exercises designed to enhance preparedness and response capabilities. The 2025 exercise support requests can be submitted through March 3. New applicants are strongly encouraged to apply, especially those from underserved jurisdictions.
To learn more, including how to request this technical assistance for exercises, attend one of the webinars or office hours FEMA is hosting. All webinars will offer the same content. Register in advance by selecting the links below:
To learn more about the National Exercise Program, visit FEMA.gov. For specific questions, please email the program staff at NEP@fema.dhs.gov and include "2025 Exercise Support Question" in your subject line.
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Register for the 2025 Radiological Emergency Preparedness Scenario Guidance Listening Sessions
FEMA will host a series of listening sessions through the agency's Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program. The session will gather feedback on existing exercise scenario guidance found in the 2023 Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program Manual. The sessions will allow state, local, Tribal Nations, territorial, industry and federal stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback on the challenges presented in implementing REP exercise scenarios.
FEMA will seek feedback on potential improvements to REP scenario guidance. Registration links are listed below. You can also find these sessions listed on the FEMA Events page. Once registered, you will receive a meeting invitation with the link to join.
REP Scenario Guidance Listening Session #4
- Date: Thursday, Feb. 6.
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Time: 1-2 p.m. ET.
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Location: MS Teams Register Here.
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Attend the Response Inventory System Advantage in Disaster Preparedness Webinar
FEMA is hosting a webinar on the Response Inventory System (RIS) on Feb. 6, from 1-2 p.m. ET.
RIS is a centralized, secure and cloud-hosted resource inventory solution for communities to build and strengthen resource management preparedness. RIS enables organizations and users to identify and inventory their resources consistently with National Incident Management System resource typing definitions and National Qualification System positions.
The webinar will cover the basic capabilities and functions of RIS and provide a live demonstration of using the tool. Resource management is the cornerstone of preparing for and responding to incidents that require mutual aid among agencies and jurisdictions.
Please register in advance to attend the webinar at the link below:
For more details about the webinar, visit FEMA.gov. For more information about the Response Inventory System, visit the National Resource Hub.
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Register for the 2025 National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar
The 32nd FEMA National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar is scheduled for Feb. 19-20 at the National Disaster and Emergency Management University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s theme is “Innovations in Dam Safety: Collaborative State and Federal Efforts."
This seminar will provide a comprehensive platform for state and federal agencies to collaborate on dam safety by featuring specialized sessions on dam modeling tools, updated resources and grant requirements for state dam safety programs. Participants will also review evolving dam safety strategies, provide feedback on FEMA publications and engage in a panel discussion on cross-sector collaborative efforts. The goal is to enhance decision-making, problem-solving and resilience in dam infrastructure through shared expertise and resources.
Experience the excitement and breakthroughs of the 2025 National Dam Safety Program Seminar—watch the highlight video to learn how collaboration is shaping the future of dam safety!
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