FEMA Bulletin Week of September 6, 2022

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FEMA BULLETIN

Week of September 6, 2022

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In this Edition:

Important Deadlines & Reminders

Sept. 14

Next Generation Warning System Grant Program application period closes at 5 p.m. ET.

Prepare to Build a Lasting Legacy

 

The first step to prepare for a lasting legacy is to make a plan. You never know where you will be when disaster strikes, so it’s important to know the hazards in your area and make a plan today.

 

You can now keep your plan and emergency contact information with you wherever you go by filling out the new digital emergency communications plan. You can share your plan with friends and family and print it out to store a physical copy for safe-keeping.

 

When making your plan, consider:

  1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
  2. What is my shelter plan?
  3. What is my evacuation route?
  4. What is my family/household communication plan?
  5. Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?

 

As you prepare your plan, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance.

 

Once you have these factors considered, fill out your plan with your household and practice how your plan will be used. Preparing and practicing a plan is the start to a resilient, lasting legacy. Visit ready.gov to learn more about being prepared.

 

Congressional Support for National Preparedness Month

Throughout September, nine members of Congress are serving as the 2022 co-sponsors for this year’s National Preparedness Month.

 

Chairman Gary Peters (Michigan), Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

"As severe storms and natural disasters continue to increase because of climate change, communities in every part of our nation are facing serious damages, loss of life and other consequences. National Preparedness Month is an important opportunity to help families in Michigan and across the country ensure they are prepared for an emergency. FEMA’s emergency planning resources are a vital tool that helps save lives and prevents suffering by ensuring every member of your family knows what to do to stay safe when disaster strikes.”

 

Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio), Ranking Member, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

 

"As a proud co-chair of FEMA's National Preparedness Month, I urge all Ohioans and Americans to teach your children, friends, and neighbors about the importance of emergency preparedness by making a plan and building a kit to be prepared for all types of emergencies. These steps are easy to follow and can help save the lives of your loved ones when unexpected disaster strikes."

Disaster Preparedness Protects You and Your Family

FEMA Remembers and Honors Those Who Responded to the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

 

On Sunday, we mark the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. On this day each year, FEMA remembers the immense sorrow of that day and the lives that were lost. We also remember the dedication, commitment and strength of those who responded to the tragic events.

 

To learn how the agency contributed to recovery efforts after the September 11 attacks, visit our webpage "Twenty Years Later: We Remember and Honor Those Who Responded."


FEMA Publishes New Climate Resilience Page

 

As the effects of climate change cause stronger, more frequent disasters, FEMA is focused on building a climate resilient nation. To highlight these efforts, the agency built a storytelling website to share success stories and projects from across the country.

 

The page explores how communities are planning ahead with mitigation projects and building back stronger after disasters.

 

The goal of the page is to inspire people to look for ways that they can make their community more resilient. This includes actions you can take as an individual, tribe, emergency manager, community leader, local government official and more.

 

The page will be updated as new projects are completed. If you have a video, photo or blog story you want to submit for consideration, email FEMA.  

Climate Resilience in Action

FEMA Seeks Public Comments on Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance

 

FEMA published a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on updates to its "Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide."

 

The updated guide provides helpful information for state, local, tribal and territorial governments seeking to successfully navigate the application and grant lifecycle processes. FEMA’s hazard mitigation assistance grant programs provide funding for actions that address risks to and reduce disaster suffering from events like wildfires, drought, extreme heat, hurricanes, earthquakes and flooding.

 

FEMA posted the updated guide the Federal Register under Docket ID Number FEMA-2022-0023. The public comment period will run through Sept. 23.

 

Comments can be submitted at regulations.gov and will become publicly available. Please follow the instructions on the page for submitting comments and contact the Regulations.gov help desk if you have any issues.


FEMA Publishes Support Materials for Stakeholders

 

New support materials are available to governments to help them apply for a FEMA grant program providing funds to make them more resilient. 

 

FEMA created the materials to aid state, local, tribal and territorial emergency management to submit more successful Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications. FEMA anticipates the guides will help program funding reach more communities and reduce time it takes to receive awards.

 

The program provides funding to state, local, tribal and territorial governments so they can develop hazard mitigation plans and rebuild in a way that reduces or mitigates disaster losses in their communities. When requested by an authorized representative, this grant funding is available after a presidentially declared disaster.

 

In alignment with the people first approach outlined in the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan, these materials provide an overview of program requirements, sample applications and step-by-step instructions that aim to reduce barriers preventing some communities. Guides are especially beneficial to disadvantaged communities that may have difficulties accessing the program. 

 

The support materials include information for the most requested program project types for various mitigation activities such as acquisition, elevation, flood risk reduction, hurricane wind retrofitting and soil stabilization. FEMA plans to develop more application support materials for additional project types.  

 

For additional information, visit FEMA.gov.


FEMA Provides $40M for Public Broadcasting

 

FEMA released a funding notice for the Next Generation Warning System Grant Program. This new program makes $40 million in fiscal year 2022 available to the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. This funding will allow public broadcasting entities to acquire and implement new technologies that advance the nation’s public alert and warning system by enabling enhanced use of broadcast transmissions to disseminate alerts over FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.

 

This grant program focuses on improving and upgrading the public alert and warning system that provides timely and effective warnings. It will help public broadcasters, especially those in areas with few broadcast providers, to upgrade to the latest broadcast technology standards that enable advanced dissemination of emergency alert messages.

 

This grant program will enable:

  • Public television broadcasters to upgrade to the Advanced Television Systems Committee broadcast standard (ATSC 3.0).
  • Public radio stations to upgrade to digital capabilities to enable broadcast of IPAWS alerts.
  • The capability to alert, warn and provide equivalent information to individuals with disabilities, individuals with access and functional needs and individuals with limited-English proficiency.
  • Alerts and warnings on the basis of geographic location as well as those projects that improve the ability of remote rural areas to receive alerts and warnings.

 

The funding notice is posted on Grants.gov. After receiving an approved complete, submitted application by 5 p.m. ET on Sept. 14, FEMA will provide funding to the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. The Corporation will manage a competitive process to solicit sub-grant applications from eligible sub-grantees to use these funds in accordance with the requirements and priorities established by FEMA.  

 

To learn more, visit FEMA.gov.


Upcoming Deadlines and Reminders

 

FEMA Hosts Hazard Mitigation Assistance Summer Engagement Series

 

On Aug. 4, FEMA kicked-off its 2022 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Summer Engagement Series.  The 10-part series features experts and special guests who will provide information and insights on the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities and Flood Mitigation Assistance programs. The engagement series will run until Oct. 4. 

 

The webinars provide an overview of the fiscal year 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity for BRIC and FMA and are designed for regional leaders and key stakeholders in states, local communities, tribes and territories and other interested individuals to learn more about the grant programs and grant application strategies.

 

To register, visit Hazard Mitigation Assistance 2022 Summer Engagement Series and find the webinar best suited for your jurisdiction. For special accommodations, contact fema-hmacomms@fema.dhs.gov.

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FEMA Seeks Feedback on Emergency Incident Response Documents

 

FEMA seeks feedback on two National Incident Management System positions related to emergency incident response.

 

The Canine Detection Team for Explosives is responsible for conducting screening and searches to detect explosives and explosives-related substances and assist in bomb crime scene investigations. The Canine Handler for Explosives is an individual who has successfully completed canine handling in the explosives detection discipline and is part of a canine explosives detection team.

 

This 30-day national engagement provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment on the draft documents to ensure they are relevant to all implementing partners. To provide comments on the listed draft documents, complete the feedback form and submit the form to FEMA-NIMS@fema.dhs.gov no later than 5 p.m. ET on Sept. 23.

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FEMA Seeks Public Comments on Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance

 

FEMA published a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on updates to its "Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide."

 

The updated guide provides helpful information for state, local, tribal and territorial governments seeking to successfully navigate the application and grant lifecycle processes. FEMA’s hazard mitigation assistance grant programs provide funding for actions that address risks to and reduce disaster suffering from events like wildfires, drought, extreme heat, hurricanes, earthquakes and flooding.

 

FEMA posted the updated guide the Federal Register under Docket ID Number FEMA-2022-0023. The public comment period will run through Sept. 23.

 

Comments can be submitted at regulations.gov and will become publicly available. Please follow the instructions on the page for submitting comments and contact the Regulations.gov help desk if you have any issues.

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