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FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Daily Digest Bulletin

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) State Assistance Grant Program: FY19 Program Updates Highlight

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) is the coordinated federal effort to address earthquake risks facing the nation, believing that while earthquakes may be inevitable, earthquake disasters are not as steps can be taken to protect against the impacts of seismic activity. Although NEHRP is comprised of four federal agencies (NIST, FEMA, USGS, and NSF) who work in tandem, FEMA shoulders the bulk of the program’s general implementation activities, to include the FEMA NEHRP State Assistance Grant Program. To support local earthquake safety and resilience activities, FEMA awards cooperative agreements to states and territories with significant seismic risk (NOFOs accessible via Grants.gov). Starting in Fiscal Year 2019, there have been some changes made to the program that stem from the most recent re-authorization.

Thirty-seven states and territories are eligible to receive funding in order to enhance and implement earthquake risk reduction programs that aid people at the regional, state, and local level. The grants are awarded annually through a non-competitive agreement to the states, territories, and regional Earthquake Consortia partners. Allowable activities include (and are not limited to):

  • Develop seismic mitigation plans;
  • Prepare inventories and conduct seismic safety inspections of critical structures and lifelines;
  • Update building codes, zoning codes, and ordinances to enhance seismic safety;
  • Increase earthquake awareness and education;
  • Participate in earthquake exercises;
  • Promote Earthquake Insurance; and
  • Encourage the development of multi-state groups for such purposes.

For examples of eligible activities, visit: https://www.fema.gov/earthquake-grants.

A central and new component to the grant process came about in the last calendar year. The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2018, Public Law No. 115-307 requires states and territories to provide a 25% non-federal cost share for State assistance. As of Fiscal Year 2019, Third-party “In-kind” contributions are now acceptable.

Code of Federal Regulations 2, Part 200, Section 200.96 defines Third-party In-kind contributions as the value of non-cash contributions (i.e., property or services) that:

  1. Benefit a federally assisted project or program; and
  2. Are contributed by non-federal third parties, without charge, to a non-federal entity under a federal award.

The grant program uses two funding opportunities: Earthquake Direct State Assistance (EDSA) and Earthquake Consortia & Partner Support (ECPS). Funding opportunities for EDSA are provided to those states and territories that have been determined to be at a moderate to very high risk of earthquakes. In addition, states and territories must meet the statutory 25% cost share requirement, and they must ensure that they have the staffing capacity to manage their anticipated level of involvement in FEMA-funded NEHRP projects and activities.

The ECPS funding opportunity is designed to facilitate the development and management of national and multi-state earthquake risk mitigation activities. ECPS grants are provided to non-profit organizations that possess the expertise necessary to deliver national and/or multi-state earthquake risk awareness, training and technical assistance. ECPS grants do not require a 25% cost share.

For more information about FEMA Building Science Branch, visit: https://www.fema.gov/building-science.

To learn more about the latest and greatest in the earthquake space, visit the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program and FEMA’s Earthquake pages.

IPAWS Webinar Reminder: Unique Alerting Systems Webinar

Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Webinar

Unique Alerting Systems Webinar

Wednesday, May 29th, 2019 @ 1:00 PM EDT

This is a reminder to join the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Unique Alerting Systems Webinar on Wednesday, May 29th, 2019 @ 1:00 PM EDT. This webinar will demonstrate how IPAWS alerts can reach the public beyond Wireless Emergency Alerts and the Emergency Alert System through downstream technologies.

This webinar will feature:

Keywest Technology – Digital Signage

LRAD – Siren System

National Braille Press – Braille Reader

IPAWS IT Specialist, Jody Smith, will begin with an overview IPAWS-OPEN as well as highlight the many possibilities for future alerting technologies. The webinar will then be turned over to the respective presenters. Each presenter will have 20 minutes to demonstrate the most up-to-date version of their product, highlighting integration with IPAWS. This webinar will be recorded for future viewing; however, attendance is highly encouraged to maximize the time for questions and answers with the downstream alerting software representatives.

Webinar Login: Please use the following link to log into the webinar. Upon logging in, you will be prompted with directions to receive audio via your phone.

 

https://femaipawslab.webex.com/femaipawslab/onstage/g.php?MTID=e02145dfeedfc24f3ac002d15fbf05779

 

NOTE: If you are unable to join us online, the audio portion of the program can be delivered via your phone. (Please note: If you would like to ask the presenters questions, you need to log into WebEx and follow the prompted audio instructions when you join the webinar.)

 

Phone Number: 1-650-479-3207

Access Code: 664 756 242

For closed caption services, please open the following link in a separate browser:

https://www.captionedtext.com/client/event.aspx?EventID=4041914&CustomerID=321

Event Number – 4041914

The IPAWS PMO looks forward to your attendance and participation.

** The IPAWS PMO cannot endorse any vendor products or tools, but can provide stakeholders the opportunity to view a demonstration of the tools and to ask follow-up technical or operational questions.**

FEMA Bulletin Week of May 27, 2019
Seal of the Department of Homeland Security

FEMA BULLETIN

May 27, 2019

View as Webpage | Subscribe

In this Edition:

Important Dates & Reminders

May 31

Deadline to apply for the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy and the National Emergency Management Executive Academy.

FEMA Seeks Feedback on the National Response Framework and ESF #14

FEMA is seeking feedback on the “National Response Framework and “Emergency Support Function (ESF) #14 – Cross-Sector Business and Infrastructure Annex” draft documents. Feedback and recommendations will help ensure the final versions of the documents are effective resources for emergency managers across the nation.

 

As part of FEMA’s renewed effort to build a national culture of preparedness, the National Response Framework is being updated to incorporate lessons learned from the 2017 hurricane and wildfire season.

 

The updated NRF will be scalable, flexible and adaptable, using the core capabilities identified in the National Preparedness Goal and will continue to focus on the capabilities necessary to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs during disasters. The new ESF #14 supports the coordination of cross-sector operations, including stabilization of key supply chains and community lifelines, among infrastructure owners and operators, businesses, and their government partners.

 

FEMA is hosting a series of one-hour engagement webinars to describe the updates and answer participants’ questions. These webinars are intended for the whole community, including individuals, private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners.

 

Webinars will be held on the following dates and times (all times are Eastern):

 

Advance registration is required and on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please contact: NRF@fema.dhs.gov.

 

Captioning will be available on the webinar. If you need a copy of the webinar PowerPoint, please provide details on the registration page or contact us at NRF@fema.dhs.gov.


FEMA Announces NEHRP Grants and Program Updates

FEMA announced that 37 states and territories are eligible to receive funding to enhance and implement earthquake risk reduction programs that aid people at the regional, state, and local level. The grants are awarded annually through a non-competitive agreement as part of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP).

 

NEHRP is the coordinated federal effort to address earthquake risks facing the nation. Recent legislation allows for third party in-kind contributions to be accepted as the 25 percent non-federal cost share. Those contributions must benefit a federally-assisted project or program and be contributed by a non-federal third party.


FEMA Announces Funding for FY19 Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program

FEMA announced the release of the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Fiscal Year 2019 Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP).

 

The RCPGP provides $10 million to local governments to build regional capacity to manage catastrophic incidents by improving and expanding collaboration for catastrophic incident preparedness.

 

The program plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System. It supports the building of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government.

 

Eligible projects should increase capability levels in the Food, Water, and Sheltering Community Lifelines as measured in the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA)/Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR).

 

Awards will be made on a competitive basis to applicants who present an ability to successfully meet the requirements described in the funding notice.

 

The application period will remain open until July 8. Submissions must be made through Grants.gov. The funding announcement is located on FEMA’s website and Grants.gov.


Shaken Fury 2019 Exercise Evaluates Response and Recovery in Earthquake Scenario in New Madrid Seismic Zone

FEMA has partnered with the Federal Interagency, U.S. Northern Command, state, local and tribal governments, the private sector and non-governmental organizations for the Shaken Fury 2019 Exercise, which will take place from May 29 through June 7.

 

The purpose of the exercise is to evaluate and improve how communities respond to an earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, identify gaps in their resources, and implement a coordinated recovery strategy. The exercise will help to improve the region’s collective capacity to respond and recover from significant events.

 

The exercise supports the continued development and promotion of Goals 1 and 3

in FEMA’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan to prepare for catastrophic disasters and to build a culture of preparedness.

 

The exercise is located in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which stretches across the eight states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. An earthquake in this area has the potential to cause catastrophic physical and economic loss to the critical infrastructure in the region.

 

Earthquakes can happen anywhere and anytime, without warning. They can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides, and avalanches. Exercises like Shaken Fury are designed to give people the ability to prepare, respond, and recover as efficiently as possible when disaster strikes. To learn more about earthquake safety and how to prepare for disasters visit Ready.gov.

 

To learn more about Shaken Fury 2019, please visit the Shaken Fury website.


FEMA Releases Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dam Program

On May 22, FEMA released the Fiscal Year 2019 Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) Grant Program. The HHPD Grant Program is authorized under the recently funded Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act.

 

The program will provide $10 million in grants to eligible applicants with non-federal dams. The program provides technical, planning, design, and construction assistance in the form of grants for rehabilitation of eligible high hazard potential dams. Eligible applicants must be non-federal sponsors, which include non-federal governments and non-profit organizations.

 

Eligible non-federal dams are:

 

  • •  Located in a state or territory with a state or territorial dam safety program;
  •  
  • •  Classified as ‘high hazard potential’ by the dam safety agency in the state or territory where the dam is located;
  •  
  • •  Have an emergency action plan approved by the state or territorial dam safety agency; and the state or territory in which the dam is located determines either of these criteria – the dam fails to meet minimum dam safety standards of the state or territory; and the dam poses an unacceptable risk to the public.

 

Non-federal sponsors are encouraged to review the Notice of Funding Opportunity announcement on grants.gov and apply by the July 8 deadline.

 

Questions regarding the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams Grant Program can be sent to FEMA-NDSP-HHPDGrants@fema.dhs.gov.


FEMA Releases PrepTalk: ‘Forging Resilient Community Through Imperfect Relentless Progress’

FEMA released James Gore’s PrepTalk: ”Forging Resilient Community Through Imperfect Relentless Progress” today. In his PrepTalk, Gore shares his experience supporting his community in the aftermath of the 2017 Tubb’s Fire in Sonoma County.

 

Gore discusses how the fire reset his priorities.  He now urges elected representatives, government officials, and everyone who will listen to build resilience now.

 

Gore is the elected Sonoma County District Four Supervisor and a member of the executive committee of the California State Association of Counties.  He serves as the Chair for the Resilient Advisory Board and the Chair for the National Association of Counties Resilient Counties Initiative. His PrepTalk video and additional resources are available at FEMA PrepTalks. Additional PrepTalks from the April 2019 symposium in Santa Rosa, Calif. will be released in the coming months.

 

PrepTalks are a partnership between FEMA, the International Association of Emergency Managers, the National Emergency Management Association, the National Homeland Security Consortium, and the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

PrepTalks


Reminders and Upcoming Deadlines

 

Applications Due May 31 for Emergency Management Academies

 

FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) is accepting applications until May 31 for the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy and the National Emergency Management Executive Academy.

 

The Advanced Academy is for mid-level managers with a minimum of three years of experience in an emergency management position to include government, non-profit, voluntary organization, and private sector leaders. Classes run from October 2019 to September 2020. Apply for the Advanced Academy here. Contact fema-empp-advanced-academy@fema.dhs.gov for more information.

 

The Executive Academy curriculum enhances strategic leadership and critical thinking for emergency management senior executives from all levels of government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. Apply for the Executive Academy here. Contact fema-empp-executive-academy@fema.dhs.gov for more information.  

 


 

FEMA Seeks Public Comment for New Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

 

FEMA is seeking comments on the development and implementation of Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) Section 1234: National Public Infrastructure Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.  Comments will be accepted from May 20 through July 15, on FEMA IdealScale or by email at  BUILDBRIC@fema.dhs.gov

 

In June, FEMA will host a webinar series to provide an overview of the different topic areas that are important for the development of the BRIC program.

 

For detailed information and a description of each webinar, visit the website.  

 

Webinar 1: Infrastructure Mitigation Projects and Community Lifelines

2 to 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday June 6.  

 

Webinar 2: Hazard Mitigation Planning, Grant Application and Evaluation, and Risk Based Funding

2 to 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday June 13

 

Webinar 3: Funding & Resource Management and Benefit-Cost Analysis

2 to 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday June 20.

 

Webinar 4: Building Codes and Enforcement and Capacity and Capability

2 to 4 p.m. EDT, Tuesday June 25.

 

 

How to Participate:

•  FEMA Teleconference: 1-800-320-4330 PIN: 338559#   

•  FEMA Adobe Connect

 

For more information on DRRA, visit the website.

 


 

Final Reminder for FY 2019 Preparedness Grants

 

On April 12, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FEMA announced the release of Fiscal Year 2019 Notices of Funding Opportunity for U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) preparedness grant programs totaling more than $1.7 billion.

 

The grant programs provide funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as transportation authorities, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector, to improve the nation’s readiness in preventing, protecting against, responding to, recovering from and mitigating terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies. The grants reflect the Department’s focus on funding for programs that address our nation’s immediate security needs and ensure public safety in our communities.

 

The grant guidance will continue to focus on the nation’s highest risk areas, including urban areas that face the most significant threats. Consistent with previous grant guidance, dedicated funding is provided for law enforcement and terrorism prevention throughout the country to prepare for, prevent and respond to pre-operational activity and other crimes that are precursors or indicators of terrorist activity.

 

All preparedness Notices of Funding Opportunities can be found at www.grants.gov. Final submissions must be made through the Non-Disaster (ND) Grants system located at https://portal.fema.gov. Further information on DHS’s preparedness grant programs is available at www.dhs.gov and www.fema.gov/grants.

 

The application period closes at 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday May 29. All awards for these grants will be made no later than September 30.


FEMA Podcast

FEMA Podcast Episode 38: Advancing Wildfire Resilience with the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network

Listen in on an interview with Michelle Medley-Daniel from the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, Ali Lerch and Chris Chambers from Ashland Fire & Rescue, and Hilary Lundgren from the Washington Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network.

 

They discuss how the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network has, since 2013, connected and supported people and communities who are striving to live more safely with wildfire. The Network has served as a catalyst for spreading best practices and innovations in fire adaptation concepts nationwide.

 

The FEMA Podcast is an audio program series available to anyone interested in learning more about the Agency, hearing about innovation in the field of emergency management, and listening to stories about communities and individuals recovering after disasters.