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The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA recently announced an extension of the award acceptance deadlines for all Fiscal Year 2025 Non-Disaster Grant Programs and Fiscal Year 2024 Assistance to Firefighter Grant Programs.
The new deadline to accept awards under these programs is January 31, or the deadline specified in the grant award—whichever is later. This update supersedes the previous guidance provided in the Information Bulletin Nos. 539 and 539a. This revised deadline is now reflected in your award file in the FEMA GO system.
Recipients who have already accepted their award in FEMA GO and whose grants are not impacted by a court ruling are not subject to this extension.
For more information, please refer to the Grant Programs Directorate Information Bulletin page.
The National Disaster and Emergency Management University (NDEMU) is accepting registrations for training courses at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. These courses are designed to strengthen capabilities for state, local, tribal and territorial government officials, emergency managers, first responders and community partners across the nation.
Whether you are seeking to build foundational expertise or sharpen executive-level skills, NDEMU offers relevant, high-quality instruction to support communities across the nation by building more resilient and effective emergency management agencies.
To find courses for the first quarter of 2026, visit NDEMU's Training Course Availability webpage. You can also explore the upcoming courses by viewing the course schedule webpage. Detailed course descriptions and prerequisites are available online in the course catalog.
To apply for a course, complete the online admissions application. Early application is encouraged, as seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The NDEMU website also has additional information about reasonable accommodations, travel, housing and how to apply.
For more information:
On November 12, the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District in Sanibel, Florida, officially reopened Station 172. The reopening came 1,141 days after Hurricane Ian devastated the original building. For the fire crews and the island community, it was more than simply a move-in—it was a homecoming made possible by the state of Florida and FEMA support.
Station 172 is a new and improved, future-ready facility, built with resilience in mind. The two-story station reflects island character while integrating resilient features. It is elevated well above previous flood levels—a mitigation measure rooted in lessons from Hurricane Ian.
The ground floor houses drive-through apparatus bays, a public reception area and a treatment room. Other improvements included installing ramps, walkways, reinforced slab work and drainage improvements.
What This Means for Sanibel
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Improved emergency response: With a modern, well-equipped station back in service, first responders can stage more effectively on the west side of the island.
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Community trust restored: The reopening sends a message of recovery and continuity. Residents know their fire district is stronger than ever.
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Mitigation in action: Elevation, design resilience and long-term funding partnerships help ensure the station is built to last.
The project restored critical infrastructure and reinforced public safety resilience against future storms.
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Attend DHS Human Trafficking Webinars in January
On January 6, President Donald J. Trump issued a presidential message, renewing the commitment to end human trafficking, protect the most innocent and ensure that every trafficker faces the full force of American justice.
Join DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking webinars on Continued Presence — attend today's webinar for the law enforcement community and register for the one on January 22 for the public, both from 3:30–4 p.m. ET.
DHS's Blue Campaign will also host two public Human Trafficking 101 webinars — one in English and one in Spanish — on January 28 and 29 respectively. Register to attend and invite others to learn how to recognize and report suspected human trafficking cases.
Follow @DHSBlueCampaign on X, Facebook and Instagram for more information on anti-human trafficking efforts in January and throughout the year.
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Deadline to Apply for FEMA Assistance Extended to February 20 for Individuals Affected by October 2025 Alaska Severe Storms
The state of Alaska and FEMA have extended the application deadlines for Individual Assistance to February 20 for Alaskans impacted by severe storms, flooding and remnants of Typhoon Halong from October 8-13, 2025.
Survivors are encouraged to register for both state and FEMA Individual Assistance programs to maximize their recovery benefits.
The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or the Spanish language site at 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.
For more information, visit FEMA.gov.
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