|
When Hurricane Erin developed earlier this month in the Atlantic, FEMA's Urban Search and Rescue teams were fully prepared to respond if needed. With the storm posing a potential threat to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the agency made critical decisions to pre-position personnel and resources, ensuring they could respond rapidly to protect lives and property.
FEMA manages the National Urban Search and Rescue System, which consists of 28 task forces strategically located across the United States, each capable of rapid deployment to disaster areas. This system is a network of highly trained and specialized task forces that respond to disasters and emergencies requiring technical rescue operations. These task forces include personnel with expertise in engineering, medicine, search and rescue, hazardous materials and logistics.
Members from five of the 28 task forces comprised the Incident Support Team. Incident Support Teams ensure that task forces are effectively deployed and supported during disasters. By providing real-time situational awareness and resource management, they enable seamless collaboration between FEMA, local agencies and other response partners.
The readiness of FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue teams demonstrated their commitment to the FEMA’s mission to help people before, during and after disasters. Had Erin made landfall, these teams were ready to provide swift and effective coordination and response, ensuring the safety of communities.
The Department of Homeland Security announced it is awarding $110 million to more than 600 faith-based organizations and other nonprofits across the United States. This money, administered through FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program, may be used on security enhancements, like security cameras, additional warning and alert systems, gates and lighting, access control systems and training programs.
This round of awards will be provided to a diverse array of organizations, including Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jewish affiliated institutions.
Read the full press release at FEMA.gov.
Wildfires are a consistent threat to people, property and communities across the nation. FEMA’s Fire Management Assistance Grant program provides fast funding to help communities fight fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. These grants help ensure responders have the resources they need to contain fires quickly and safely.
To learn more, read the blog at FEMA.gov.
Last Day for Missouri Individuals Affected by May Disasters to Apply for FEMA Assistance
Today is the last day for individuals affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes on May 16 in Scott County, St. Louis County or the city of St. Louis to apply for FEMA assistance.
The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or the Spanish language site DisasterAssistance.gov/es.
If you need more information or additional help:
- Download the FEMA App.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service.
- Find in-person FEMA support at fema.gov/drc.
To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit What to Expect Before Applying for FEMA Assistance.
When applying for FEMA assistance, specify the damage and the date it occurred to ensure you are applying under the correct declaration number.
Survivors are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property and vehicles before they apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA Individual Assistance cannot pay for expenses insurance or other sources will cover.
For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4877.
....................................................................................................................................................
Texas Individuals Affected by July Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds and Flooding Can Apply for FEMA Assistance Until Sept. 4
Individuals and counties affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from July 2-18 in the designated areas of Texas can apply for FEMA assistance until Sept. 4.
Survivors are encouraged to file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property and vehicles before they apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA Individual Assistance cannot pay for expenses or other sources will cover.
The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or the Spanish language site DisasterAssistance.gov/es.
If you need more information or additional help:
- Download the FEMA App.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages. If you use a relay service—such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others—provide FEMA the number for that service.
- Find in-person FEMA support at fema.gov/drc.
To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit What to Expect Before Applying for FEMA Assistance.
When applying for FEMA assistance, specify the damage and the date it occurred to ensure you are applying under the correct declaration number.
For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4879.
....................................................................................................................................................
FEMA Offers Additional Trainings on the Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide Process
On July 1, FEMA published an updated Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide, which defines how state, local, tribal and territorial officials and FEMA staff, collect, validate, quantify and document damage following a disaster.
To help the emergency management community understand the updates in the 2025 Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide, FEMA is offering virtual training sessions Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 8, Sept. 22, Oct. 6 and Oct. 20.
To join the webinar on any of the available dates, visit the FEMA Zoom.
- Meeting ID: 161 5791 3048
- Passcode: 2025
To learn more, visit the Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide webpage.
....................................................................................................................................................
FEMA Begins Process to Update the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Manual
In preparation for the next update of the manual in 2027, FEMA is requesting public comments on the current 2023 edition of the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Manual.
The public comment period will be open until Sept. 30.
To submit a comment:
- Access the 2023 manual on FEMA.gov.
- Complete a Comment Matrix form to capture relevant details, such as page number, background information and recommended solution language.
- Email a copy of the completed Comment Matrix to FEMATHDPolicy@fema.dhs.gov, with the subject line “2023 RPM Public Comment.”
Please note, if you participated in FEMA’s recent Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program Scenario Guidance Listening Sessions, FEMA has captured your feedback, and you do not need submit a comment.
....................................................................................................................................................
|
