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Partners in Preparedness News You Can Use: February Edition

Virginia Department of Emergency Management sent this bulletin at 02/05/2024 03:52 PM EST

February 2024

Graphic for Black History Month

February is Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans, and a time during which we recognize their vital role in U.S. history. The event originated out of “Negro History Week,” as initiated by historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent Black leaders and has been officially recognized by every U.S. president since Gerald Ford in 1976.

Within VDEM this month, our theme of “African Americans and the Arts,” derives from the official 2024 Black History Month theme “African Americans and the Arts” to explore the key influence African Americans have had in the fields of "visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression."

The Role of Education and Equitable Disaster Planning in Emergency Management using a Black History Lens

The impact of disasters is one that has been observed over decades in the field of emergency management. While the work that emergency managers do is often viewed during the reaction phase, it is the work that is done during the “blue-sky” days that sets the precedence for the ability to respond. To this end, those who study disasters understand that while disasters don’t discriminate, their effects are felt disproportionately across communities and cultures. Understanding the importance of historical context, it must also be noted that discriminatory practices of the past have played a role in the exacerbation of conditions for particular communities.

One example of this can be seen in the practices that subjected African Americans, and other communities of color, to living in high risk flood plains and substandard housing that was less than able to withstand the extreme forces of a tornado or hurricane. These atrocities are well documented across history, as the African American community was negatively affected the greatest while trying to survive and recover from the San Francisco Earthquake (1906), the Great Mississippi Flood (1927), Hurricane Floyd (1999) and Hurricane Katrina (2005). While the legal limits on their mobility have since ended, many African-Americans today still face barriers such as being concentrated to disaster-prone areas without having the necessary resources to avoid harm.

As these concentrated regions of vulnerable populations grew, hotspots were created in the most impacted areas. Given this perspective of disasters, equitable disaster planning should incorporate an understanding of where these hotspots lie, and empower marginalized communities to develop resiliency from within. Yet, as research shows, less than 12% of emergency management specialists are African American. With disasters on the rise, laying the foundation for more African Americans and people of color to enter emergency management is key in equitable disaster planning. By expanding access to the field and integrating equity into all aspects of the planning phase, emergency management agencies can support a much-needed shift in the narrative. Moreover, such actions are necessary to undo centuries of discriminatory practices and to work towards equitable disaster response.

Submitted by Negus Assefa, Community Impact Specialist

Sources: African American Advancement in Emergency Management Fields Saves Lives, Leads to Social Change – IEM

Black History Month Perspective: Emergency Management, Looking Back While Moving Forward | Office of Emergency Management | City of Philadelphia

The Emergency Management Equity Working Group Needs You!

Do you serve (or are you part of) a community that has unique or specific needs during an emergency? We need your voice!

As part of the Office of Community Impact's responsibility to ensure that emergency management programs and plans provide support to at-risk individuals and populations disproportionately impacted by disasters, we are coming up on the first anniversary of the Emergency Management Equity Working Group, and are looking to expand our representation in 2024.

This group was formed as a mandate by the Code of Virginia (§ 44-146.18 (B19)), and is comprised of members from state agencies, the private sector, and the public at large who serve to represent the needs of all individuals across the Commonwealth.

During meetings, members collaborate to identify regional, local, community, or tribal needs as they relate to the five phases of emergency management (prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery). Using an accessibility and inclusion lens, the group provides recommended actions to ensure that equitable access is provided to all Virginians before, during, and after a disaster. In addition, the group provides its input on matters relevant to emergency operations, such as the COVEOP (Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan) and its associated hazard-specific plans (did you know we have a specific plan for winter weather? opening family assistance centers? hurricane evacuation? sheltering? how to manage volunteers and donations? and more!?).

These meetings are open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend (in-person or virtually) and provide any insight into matters being discussed.

The next tentative date for the working group to meet is April 8th, although this date is subject to change as an increased cadence in meetings was proposed during the last meeting to promote effective collaboration on developing projects. All information related to upcoming EMEWG meetings is posted on the Commonwealth Calendar in advance, along with the location and meeting link for members of the public who choose to attend virtually.

Request Copies of Preparedness Materials!

If you're looking for printed copies of preparedness materials, fill out the request form by scanning the QR code, or following this link.

Arabic, Korean, and Vietnamese are available digitally at https://www.vaemergency.gov/prepare/make-a-plan.

Important headlines from FEMA

FEMA Seeking Leaders for Youth Preparedness Council Applications

Members of FEMA's Youth Preparedness Council

Do you know a young leader who is passionate about making a positive impact on their community? The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is looking for students in grades eight through 11 interested in supporting disaster preparedness to join the Youth Preparedness Council (YPC).

Why is it Important for Youth to Apply?

FEMA created the Youth Preparedness Council in 2012 to bring together young leaders from across the country who are interested in disaster preparedness and community service. The YPC demonstrates FEMA’s commitment to involve America’s youth in preparedness-related activities. It also provides young people an opportunity to present their perspectives, feedback and opinions to FEMA staff.

During their terms, YPC members can make a difference in their community, gain valuable leadership and emergency management experience, and work with like-minded peers to help strengthen preparedness and resilience across the country.

Who Should Join the YPC?

Students in grades eight through 11 who have a passion for preparedness and helping others, are involved in their community and have an aptitude for working on teams and as leaders.

Spread the Word!

You can spread the word by sharing information about the YPC with parents, educators, schools and organizations, and reaching out to friends and family! Do you know a student who would make a great candidate? Encourage them to apply today!

Download our YPC Application Promotional Toolkit for sample messaging, social media content, graphics and more.

How to Apply

The online application is now open, and closes March 4, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PT. To learn more about the YPC and application requirements, visit Ready.gov/kids/youth-preparedness-council and visit https://community.fema.gov/PreparednessCommunity/s/apply-to-ypc to apply.

FEMA will also host a webinar for potential applicants on Feb. 27, 2024. Join to learn more about the program and how to apply.

Register

FEMA Reforms Disaster Assistance Program to Help Survivors Recover Faster

FEMA is reforming its federal assistance policies and expanding benefits for disaster survivors to cut red tape, provide funds faster and give people more flexibility.

With the increased frequency of extreme weather events fueled by climate change, these updates will provide survivors with faster and easier access to resources they need after disasters. FEMA developed these new forms of assistance based on direct feedback from survivors and in response to the threats the nation faces due to our changing climate; they will create more equitable outcomes for all communities by increasing accessibility and eligibility for post-disaster support.

To benefit survivors, FEMA will:

Establish new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors when they need it most.

Establishing Serious Needs Assistance: FEMA is standardizing immediate financial support for survivors by replacing the Critical Needs Assistance program with a cash relief program called Serious Needs Assistance. Serious Needs Assistance will now be available in all disasters receiving Individual Assistance. The payment of $750 for households with serious needs will help cover immediate expenses related to sheltering, evacuation and meeting basic household needs. This payment would be in addition to other eligible assistance that may be provided to survivors based on their unique circumstances.
Establishing Displacement Assistance: FEMA is creating a new benefit called Displacement Assistance. This assistance is designed for survivors who cannot return to their home following a disaster and provides them with greater flexibility in making the best decision for their immediate housing needs. Displacement Assistance will provide eligible survivors with up-front funds to assist with immediate housing options of their choice, such as costs associated with staying with family and friends, until they are able to secure a rental option to focus on their long-term recovery.

Cut red tape and expand eligibility to reach more people and help them recover faster, while building back stronger.

Removing Loan Application Requirements: FEMA is removing the requirement that survivors apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan before being considered for certain types of financial assistance. This change will simplify the disaster assistance process and give survivors the ability to apply for help from FEMA and SBA at the same time.
Helping Under-insured Survivors: FEMA is streamlining insurance-related rules to help survivors who do not receive enough assistance from their insurance company to cover their rebuilding costs. Under this amended approach, financial assistance is now available up to the $42,500 cap, to cover costs not reimbursed by insurance including deductibles and under-insured losses.
Simplifying Assistance for Entrepreneurs: FEMA is simplifying the process so entrepreneurs, gig workers and other self-employed individuals can more easily reopen their businesses after a disaster. As a part of the new regulations, FEMA may provide self-employed survivors with some initial financial support to replace disaster-damaged tools and equipment, or other items required for a specific trade or profession. This assistance remains subject to the $42,500 maximum cap above which SBA disaster loans will continue to provide additional federal support.
Expanding Habitability Criteria: FEMA is simplifying its definition of “habitability” to broaden eligibility to include repairs to homes with pre-existing conditions. These changes mean that survivors who need to fix a disaster-damaged home, may qualify for FEMA support, to include home repair regardless of pre-existing conditions, so the home is in a safe and sanitary condition. This change eliminates current limitations that home repair assistance will be provided only for components that ensure habitability and the requirement that components were functional pre-disaster. It also expands eligible hazard mitigation measures beyond essential components of a residence to include the prevention of future damage to any disaster-damaged part of the residence. Lastly, it confirms in regulation FEMA’s enhanced flexibility on documentation that will satisfy proof a residence is owner-occupied for those disaster survivors who do not hold formal title or lease.
Making Accessibility Improvements: Survivors with disabilities can use FEMA funding to make certain accessibility improvements to homes damaged by a declared disaster. This change helps survivors with disabilities improve their living conditions by making their homes even more accessible than they were pre-disaster.

Simplify the application process to meet survivors’ individual needs and meet people where they are.

Removing Barriers for Late Applicants: Applicants requesting approval for a late application no longer must provide documentation supporting the reason for their late application.
Streamlining Temporary Housing Assistance Applications: FEMA is reducing documentation requirements for applicants seeking continued temporary housing assistance. Individual caseworkers will also engage closely with survivors who continue to request assistance to ensure applicants have support throughout their entire recovery process and have greater visibility on when their rental support will end.
Simplifying the Process for Appeals: Survivors who wish to appeal FEMA’s decisions on their eligibility and will no longer need to provide a signed, written appeal letter to accompany the supporting documentation.

FEMA expects the changes to take effect for new disasters declared on or after March 22, 2024.

In addition to the planned updates, FEMA has already made the DisasterAssistance.gov and Transitional Sheltering Assistance websites more accessible and easier to navigate for survivors.

Streamlining the DisasterAssistance.gov Website: The online application for disaster assistance now provides survivors with easy navigation, visual progress tracking, and individualized information collection. For example, survivors now are only prompted to answer questions that apply to their specific circumstances which will reduce time burdens. For most disaster survivors, this change is expected to reduce the registration time by more than 15%.
Improving the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Website: Survivors will find it easier to utilize FEMA's Transitional Sheltering Assistance program to book lodging and contact participating hotels directly to find temporary lodging solutions. Prior to the updates, survivors would find an unfiltered list of lodging options. Now, the website provides photos and user-friendly sort and filter features. Updates have also been made to improve user experience on mobile devices, making the process easier for survivors to navigate and find lodging.

Available grants: State and federal

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $150 Million to Help Underserved Communities Fund Resilience Projects

FEMA announced the second funding opportunity for the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant program to make communities safer from natural hazards. This program provides capitalization grants to eligible applicants nationwide. Applicants then offer low-interest loans directly to local communities to reduce their vulnerability to disasters, promote equity, foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster impacts.

Due to the high level of interest in the first opportunity, the Biden-Harris Administration has tripled the amount of money available in this round of funding to $150 million.

The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund is part of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance program. These grant programs help communities increase resilience to extreme heat waves, drought, wildfires, floods and hurricanes by funding transformational projects that reduce risk to multiple hazards, support adaptation to future conditions, and reduce the impact of all disasters on our nation’s most at-risk, underserved and disadvantaged communities.

Applicants eligible to receive revolving loan capitalization grants include states, the District of Columbia, territories and federally recognized Tribes that have received a major disaster declaration. Local governments may use the low-interest loans provided by these entities for projects and activities to reduce the effects of natural hazards – including the many fueled by climate change.

For instance, the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF is unique in that it is the only FEMA grant program under which extreme heat is explicitly eligible. The program allows applicants to use loan funds for projects or activities that reduce the impacts of drought and prolonged intense heat. FEMA will not require applicants to submit a benefit-cost analysis for projects.

Additional eligible project types under this program include activities that mitigate the impact of natural hazards, zoning and land-use planning changes, and adoption and enforcement of modern building codes. Loans may also be used by local governments to satisfy a local government’s non-federal cost-share requirement for other FEMA grant programs.

Of the nearly $7 billion available in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to FEMA, $500 million is invested in the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund program over five years to reduce disaster suffering and avoid future disaster costs. For the first year of the program, FEMA made $50 million available in capitalization grants. In addition, there are five additional FEMA mitigation and cyber security programs to receive multi-year Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding.

The Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF funding notice is available at Grants.gov. Eligible entities must apply for funding using the Non-Disaster (ND) Grants Management System (ND Grants). The application period opens on Feb. 1. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. ET, April. 30.

Start making your emergency plan today!

Don't get caught without a plan! Check out these planning resources that will help you kickstart your emergency preparedness and guide you along the way as you make your full plan. "My Emergency Plan" is now available in 6 other languages. Download it and get started now at Make a Plan | VDEM (vaemergency.gov).

News from your VDEM Regional Offices

VDEM Region 1:

January has been a busy month for the VDEM Region 1 staff. With input from regional stakeholders, they finalized the regional Integrated Preparedness Plan, documenting the region's overall training and exercise priorities for the next three years. Staff supported the Unified Command for Lobby Day at the Virginia State Capitol and continued to monitor ongoing first amendment events in the region. Severe weather and flooding prompted staff to hold regional conference calls, coordinate with local VDOT offices, and assist localities as needed. In coordination with VDEM Training, Education, and Exercise Division, staff also facilitated an Emergency Operations Exercise for Prince George County. Region 1 looks forward to working with Region 1 stakeholders to plan for upcoming special events in 2024.

VDEM Region 3:

Regional Staff Provides Support for VDH Sponsored Exercise

The Virginia Department of Health in partnership with the Blue Ridge EMS Council recently conducted a regional tabletop exercise in the City of Lynchburg. Participants included officials and representatives from VDH, Centra Hospital, the Southwest Virginia Healthcare Coalition, Emergency Management from Albemarle County, the City of Lynchburg, and Liberty University. CRC Gene Stewart served as a member of the Planning Committee and DRRO Lucy Carter Smith as an Evaluator. The exercise provided an opportunity for discussions about the plans in place among multiple partners which would be activated in the case of a mass casualty incident.

Rockingham County and VDEM Region 3 Partner in Regional Tabletop

Leadership and responders from Rockingham County, the City of Harrisonburg, and Massanutten Resort along with the VDEM Region 3 team held a tabletop to test existing regional and local plans and discuss the need for future planning activities. CRC Gene Stewart led the Planning Committee. AHP Peter Homan and DRRO Lucy Carter Smith served as Evaluators and Region 3 Administrative Assistant Jennifer Dillion recorded the event with notes and follow up documentation. The exercise was well attended and opened discussion including recommendations by VDEM staff for classroom and other training which would benefit leadership, staff, and responders.

Charlottesville Regional Transit Tabletop

On Friday, January 26^th the VDEM Region 3 team participated in a regional tabletop exercise sponsored by Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT). CRC Gene Stewart served as a member of the Planning Committee over several months. The exercise took place in Charlottesville and was attended by leadership from CAT, Albemarle and Charlottesville Fire and Rescue, Emergency Management, the Emergency Communications Center, representatives from law enforcement, schools, and the National Transportation Safety Board. The exercise was conducted to meet federal requirements for transit authorities to maintain plans.

Productive discussions ensued about the importance of training and exercise to enhance collaboration within the Albemarle/Charlottesville region in all phases of emergency management. Additional coordination is ongoing for VDEM to support the region in their efforts to strengthen plans through classroom training as well as another exercise in the latter part of 2024.

VDEM Region 7:

Secretary of Homeland Security Terrence Cole awarding VDEM Region 7 staff with award

VDEM Region 7 Staff receive award for their Family Assistance Operations initiative

VDEM Region 7 along with staff several staff from the agency were presented with awards for Special Project of the Year - Family Assistance Operations initiative, as well as Extraordinary Incident Response for Operation Allies Welcome. This award was presented by Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Terrance Cole.

VDEM Region 7 Staff handing out water during outage

Stafford County had a significant water outage to approximately 5,000 residents that prompted the County’s office of emergency management to open a water point of distribution (POD). Staff from Region 7 were on hand to assist with handing out cases of water to affected residents. 3,600 cases of water were handed out over 3 days.

Region 7 also hosted a Severe Weather/Trapped Queue Interstate Operations Coordination Meeting with several of their localities including Fairfax County and Prince William County, the Virginia Department of Transportation and State Police partners. The meeting was to discuss roles and responsibilities, communications, and coordination processes in response to a significant weather event and address interstate trapped queue emergency response procedures.

Region 7 Team members were on scene to assist with a visit from President Joe Biden along with Vice President Kamala Harris at the Hylton Performing Arts Center (George Mason University extension campus) in Manassas, Virginia. Region 7 was there supporting this visit along with our partners from the George Mason University Police, City of Manassas Police, Prince William County Police, City of Fairfax Police, Virginia State Police and the US Secret Service, Prince William Fire Department, GMU OEM, and Prince William County OEM.

Region 7 staff recently instructed the "Outside the Yellow Tape: Family Assistance Planning and Operations" course in Fairfax County. The purpose of this course is to provide a foundational understanding of the family assistance operations model to enable participants to effectively plan for and operationalize humanitarian assistance for those impacted by a mass casualty/fatality incident.

VDEM Region 7 Staff celebrating the holiday season

The Region 7 team took time over the holidays to celebrate the season together.

We're expanding our network!

We would like to officially welcome Rockbridge Area Relief Association, Gloucester County Emergency Management, Gleaning For The World, and SERCAP as our new Partners in Preparedness!

Rockbridge Area Relief Association's mission is to aid Rockbridge area households in a time of emergency when help is needed to meet life’s basic needs. RARA has stayed committed to the community, to being powered by volunteers, and most of all, to upholding their belief that everyone deserves nutritious food and warm, safe shelter.

The Department of Emergency Management at Gloucester County protects communities by coordinating and integrating all activities necessary to build, sustain, and improve the capability to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from threatened or actual natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters.

Over the last two decades, Gleaning For the World has responded to natural and man made disasters wherever they struck. They have given food, water, blankets to the homeless and place millions of dollars worth of medical supplies in developing nations. Their passion is humanitarian aid in all its forms.

SERCAP has been bringing clean drinking water, environmentally sound wastewater facilities, affordable housing, community development, and environmental justice solutions to individuals living throughout the Southeast United States since 1969. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for low-income individuals by promoting affordable water and wastewater facilities, community development, environmental health, and economic self-sufficiency.

Important
Contacts
📇

•Katie Carter
Partners in Preparedness
Katie.Carter@vdem.virginia.gov

•VDEM Public Information Inbox
pio@vdem.virginia.gov

•Region 1 Contact
Donna Pletch
Donna.Pletch@vdem.virginia.gov

•Region 2 Contact
Alexa Boggs
Alexa.Boggs@vdem.virginia.gov

•Region 3 Contact
Gene Stewart
Gene.Stewart@vdem.virginia.gov

•Region 4 Contact
Justin Haga
Justin.Haga@vdem.virginia.gov

•Region 5 Contact
Harrison Bresee
Harrison.Bresee@vdem.virginia.gov

•Region 6 Contact
Mike Guzo
Mike.Guzo@vdem.virginia.gov

•Region 7 Contact
Jake Kezele
Jake.Kezele@vdem.virginia.gov

Thank you for reading Preparedness News You Can Use! 😊 We hope you found it worth your time. The Preparedness News You Can Use editors welcome all content suggestions. If you have a suggestion for the next issue, please email Katie Carter at katie.carter@vdem.virginia.gov.