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With the dedication of FEMA’s workforce, FEMA is transforming into an
agency that is more survivor-centric in mission and program delivery, more
expeditionary in nature, and better postured to assist our state, local,
tribal, and territorial partners. FEMA’s efforts include developing the FEMA workforce and strengthening support
to states and tribal partners through FEMA regional offices.
Each region will soon be led by two members of the Senior Executive Service
(SES). Most recently, FEMA named Ms. Gracia Szczech as the
Region IV Administrator and Mr. Robert (Bob) Fenton as Region IX
Administrator.
Please join FEMA in welcoming Ms. Szczech and Mr. Fenton to their new
positions. FEMA and the nation will be well served as they continue to advance
support to our state, local, tribal, non-profit and private sector partners.
FEMA also is currently recruiting for eight SES Deputy Regional Administrators. This announcement closes March 6. For information on these and other careers opportunities within FEMA, visit www.fema.gov/careers.
FEMA announced the
opening of the Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency
Response (SAFER) application, which will close on March 6, 2015 at 5 p.m. ET.
The SAFER grant program comprises of two categories: hiring of firefighters; and the recruitment
and retention of volunteer firefighters.
To receive a SAFER grant
award, applicants must be registered and have up-to-date information in the
online System for Award
Management. Registration is required of all Assistance to Firefighters
Grant Program applicants and awardees.
The SAFER grant was
created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer
firefighter interest organizations to help increase or maintain the number
of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities. The goal
of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities to comply with
staffing, response, and operational standards established by the National Fire
Protection Association. More information on these standards can be found in the
Funding Opportunity Announcement, which is available
online, along with the technical assistance tools.
The FEMA blog encompasses a variety of topics, including a day in the life of a FEMA Corps team leader who met President Obama, and staying plugged in while snowed in during a Boston snowstorm. Recent blog posts in the last few weeks have included:
- Wrangling Disasters with Rodeos, Trucks, and Music
- Getting the Budget Process Back on Track
- Meeting the President: A Day in the Life of a FEMA Corps Leader
- A New Flood Standard for Federal Investments Will Help Communities Weather Climate Change, Extreme Storms
- The National Advisory Council Needs YOU
- From Boston: Snowed In & Plugged In
 To stay up to date on all of the latest FEMA blog posts, bookmark www.fema.gov/blog or subscribe to the RSS feed.
Heating is the
second leading cause of home fires. The United States Fire Administration advises keeping anything that can burn at least three feet
from fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators and heaters.
FEMA seeks experienced
individuals who are interested in serving on the National Advisory Council (NAC) to apply. All
applications must be received on Monday, February 16, 2015 by 5 p.m. ET. Appointments
are for three-year terms to end August 15, 2018. The Administrator may also
appoint additional candidates to serve as a FEMA Administrator Selection, which
are also for three-year terms.
FEMA will consider
individuals for appointment in the following disciplines:
- Elected State
Government Officials (one representative appointment)
- In-Patient Medical
Providers (one Special Government Employee appointment)
- Elected Local
Government Officials (one representative appointment)
- Emergency Management
(one representative appointment)
- Emergency Response
Providers (two representative appointments)
- Cyber Security (one
Special Government Employee appointment)
Individuals interested
in serving on the NAC are invited to apply to be considered for appointment by
submitting a Cover Letter and a Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the Office
of the NAC by email, mail, or fax, with email as the preferred method of
submission. Letters of recommendation may also be provided, but are not
required. The Cover Letter must include, at a minimum: the discipline area(s)
of interest; current position title and organization; mailing address; a
current telephone number; and email address. A complete application must be
submitted to be considered for appointment. Application criteria, submission
information, and contact information can be found at www.fema.gov/national-advisory-council.
FEMA announced it is
seeking applicants for its Youth Preparedness Council. The Council
supports FEMA’s commitment to involving youth in preparedness-related
activities and provides an opportunity for young people to offer their
perspectives, feedback and insights on how to help make America more resilient.
To apply, Youth
Preparedness Council applicants must be 13 to 17 years old. They must also be
engaged in individual and community preparedness or have experienced a disaster
that motivated them to make a positive difference in their community.
Individuals who applied for 2014 are encouraged to apply again. Current Council
members have an option to extend for an additional year, upon FEMA request.
Adults working with youth or on community preparedness are encouraged to share
the application with young people who might be interested in applying for the
Youth Preparedness Council.
To be eligible for
consideration, applicants must submit a completed application form and two
letters of recommendation. Completed applications and all supporting materials
must be received no later than March 2, 2015 by 11:59 p.m. ET. New Youth
Preparedness Council members will be announced in May 2015.
On January 30, the President issued Executive Order 13690, “Establishing
a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting
and Considering Stakeholder Input.” Prior to implementation of the Federal
Flood Risk Management Standard, additional input from stakeholders is being
solicited and considered on how federal agencies will implement the new
Standard. To carry out this process, a
draft version of Implementing Guidelines is open
for comment until April 6, 2015. Questions may
be submitted to FEMA-FFRMS@fema.dhs.gov.
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