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FEMA Awards Vermont Almost $1.8 Million For COVID Testing Site Support
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending nearly $1.8 million to the State of Vermont to reimburse the costs of providing wraparound services to testing sites during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $1,786,777 Public Assistance grant will go to the Vermont Agency of Human Services for providing wraparound services to support testing locations across the state, including employees and visitors at state buildings; inmates, staff, and visitors at correctional facilities; students, staff, and visitors at public and non-profit schools; residents, staff, and visitors at non-profit long-term care facilities; and staff, campers, and visitors at public and non-profit summer camps.
Among the costs covered were:
- Facility rent/lease costs;
- Postage and delivery of the test vials and specimens;
- Tech equipment to set up testing sites;
- Cleaning services and cleaning supplies for the test sites;
- Materials and supplies used at test sites and
- Contractor labor costs associated with running test sites from the contractor, CIC Health
“FEMA is pleased to assist Vermont with these costs,” said FEMA Region I Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation.”
adrien.urbani Wed, 07/20/2022 - 14:08FEMA Awards More Than $1.1 Million to Stamford for Tropical Storm Isaias Recovery Costs
BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending more than $1.1 million to the State of Connecticut to reimburse the City of Stamford for the costs of removing debris after Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020.
The city will receive a total of $1,127,838 in federal funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program to reimburse it for the costs of cleaning up debris after the Aug. 4, 2020 storm, which spawned high winds across the state and an EF1 tornado in Westport.
One person was killed in Connecticut by a falling tree, while approximately 750,000 residents were left without power. Another person later died from a chainsaw accident while clearing downed trees.
Stamford used both city workers and some contract services to pick up 13,095 cubic yards of vegetative debris, which was hauled to two temporary staging sites before being hauled to final disposal sites. The debris removal was performed between Aug. 4, 2020 and January 13, 2021.
FEMA has awarded nearly $35 million in Public Assistance grants to state and local governments for the disaster to date.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to reimburse the City of Stamford for the costs incurred recovering from Tropical Storm Isaias,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Quickly removing debris to re-open transportation routes and commerce is a key part of a successful recovery.”
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.
adrien.urbani Wed, 07/20/2022 - 14:06
Ross County Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Information Open House
CHICAGO – Representatives from FEMA will host a virtual Flood Map Information Open House for communities in Ross County, Ohio, on July 26, 2022, from 5 – 7 p.m. E.T. The open house will give residents the chance to review preliminary versions of a recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1%-annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within the county, and offer information that public officials may use to permit development in the floodplain.
Experts at the virtual open house will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the mapping process in Ross County. The newly prepared preliminary floodplain maps can also be reviewed at the meeting.
Once the maps become effective, they will be used as the basis for flood insurance ratings as well as local flood protection regulations adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future events.
WHAT: Ross County— virtual Flood Map Information Open House meeting for the public
WHEN: July 26, 2022, 5–7 p.m. ET
WHERE: Visit www.zoom.com and enter the following meeting ID and passcode. This requires registering for a free Zoom account or clicking the following link: https://stantec.zoom.us/j/94836903698?pwd=dkpEZDRPQjhzU2NISCtxYSsxYm9ZZz09 (Meeting ID: 948 3690 3698 | Password: 668458)
(301) 715-8592 (312) 626-6799 (646) 876-9923
Property owners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an e-mail to FEMA-Region5-FloodInsuranceOutreach@fema.dhs.gov at least 48 hours before the event. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to fulfill.
For more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Tue, 07/19/2022 - 14:40Morrow County Residents Invited to Attend Flood Map Information Open House
CHICAGO – Representatives from FEMA will host a virtual Flood Map Information Open House on July 25, 2022, for communities in Morrow County, Ohio from 5 – 7 p.m. ET. The open house will give residents the chance to review preliminary versions of a recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1%-annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within areas of the county and offer information that public officials may use when permitting development in the floodplain.
Once the maps become effective, they will be used as the basis for flood insurance ratings as well as local flood protection regulations adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future events.
WHAT: Morrow County—virtual Flood Map Information Open House meeting for the public
WHEN: July 25, 2022, 5–7 p.m. ET
WHERE: Visit www.zoom.com and enter the following meeting ID and passcode. This requires registering for a free Zoom account or clicking the following link: https://stantec.zoom.us/j/97655176137?pwd=bHg0cWFuSHZpaE4vMG00cCt6U0kyUT09 (Meeting ID: 976 5517 6137, Password: Morrow)
You may also call into the meeting using one of the following telephone numbers and entering the meeting ID and passcode shown above. Long-distance charges may apply.
(301) 715-8592 (312) 626-6799 (646) 876-9923
Property owners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. Digital files of the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be downloaded from www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.
If you need a reasonable accommodation (sign language interpreters, Braille, CART, etc.), please send an e-mail to FEMA-Region5-FloodInsuranceOutreach@fema.dhs.gov at least 48 hours before the event. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to fulfill.
For more information, contact the FEMA News Desk at FEMA-R5-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
troy.christensen Tue, 07/19/2022 - 14:32Disaster Recovery Center Open in Muskogee County
OKLAHOMA CITY – A joint federal/state Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Muskogee County to help survivors affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred May 2-8.
Survivors from any of the seven designated counties can meet face to face with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) specialists to get help with their disaster assistance applications, upload documents and have their questions about federal disaster assistance answered at the center.
The seven designated counties are Adair, Cherokee, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie, Seminole and Tulsa.
The Disaster Recovery Center is open at the following location:
Muskogee County
Harris-Jobe School
2809 N. Country Club Road
Muskogee, OK 74403
The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday. The DRC is closed on Sundays.
The recovery center will follow COVID-19 precautions. Masks are required for employees, volunteers and survivors.
Download the FEMA mobile app at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products for more information about DRCs (under Disaster Resources, select Talk to FEMA in Person). Active Disaster Recovery Center locations and hours are available FEMA.gov/DRC.
Carmen.Castro Tue, 07/19/2022 - 14:18FEMA COVID-19 Funeral assistance still available
San Juan, Puerto Rico – FEMA urges those who paid for funeral expenses due to the coronavirus to call FEMA and apply for assistance TODAY. To date, more than 2,471 applicants in Puerto Rico, have already registered.
“In Puerto Rico, FEMA has already approved over $6.8 million to help families with funeral expenses, but there are families that may be eligible to receive this assistance. We are encouraging every person who covered funeral expenses to call today and apply”, said Idamis De Jesus, Individual Assistance lead of FEMA Caribbean Area Office in PR.
Call 1-844-684-6333 to apply for FEMA COVID-19 funeral assistance. FEMA is only accepting applications via phone call. The phoneline is available from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday.
Once registered, FEMA will send the applicant a Request for Information (RFI) which outlines all the documentation needed to process the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application. For further information, applicants can also visit the frequently asked questions section in FEMA’s website at: FEMA.gov/funeral-assistance/faq.
FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020, under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
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yuisa.rios Tue, 07/19/2022 - 12:17Allocation for Storm Shutters to Support Services Provided in 6 Municipalities
FEMA funds will go to municipal facilities, fine arts buildings and senior services homes
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – For over 25 years, José Feliciano's work as director of the Ryder housing facilities has focused on a wide variety of services for the elderly and children with disabilities who live there, but for him, the most important thing they need is to be accompanied and listened to. But for him, the most important thing these people need is to be accompanied and listened to, “To feel part of a community: we all win with that,” he said.
This is why common areas are very important for residents. When natural events happen, for example, neighbors gather in these rooms and spend time together. The installation of storm shutters in these areas offers greater safety for residents during a period of high winds. In this way, the community remains united at times when isolation should not be an option.
Storm shutters are the first line of defense and mitigation against a storm. In addition to providing protection for doors and windows, they reduce pressure on walls from high winds.
The lack of shutters in structures such as community centers or public service facilities represents a danger to the services they provide, in addition to limiting their availability during an emergency situation. This is why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with the public and private sector to provide funding for this important mitigation measure.
Through the Hazard Mitigation Grants Program (HMGP), the agency recently contributed over $877,000 for nine storm shutter projects in several towns. The facilities to benefit range from municipal facilities where services are provided to citizens to basketball courts where people can exercise.
“By preventing further damage in the event of a future disaster, participants will be able to benefit from continued service at these facilities, while managers can have relief from risk reduction and focus on the important services they provide,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Jose G. Baquero.
The Camuy City Hall is another structure that offers a diversity of services for its residents and visitors. In addition to the governmental services offered at city hall, the building also serves as the command center for coordination of emergency services. With a total of $213,872 in funds, the municipality will be able to install the necessary storm shutters to mitigate the risks posed by a storm and continue services to the communities.
Likewise, the Municipality of Hormigueros has over $129,500 in approved funds for the installation of storm shutters for the Julio Pérez Irizarry Center for Multiple Activities and Services for the Elderly where social, educational, recreational and nutritional services are provided to nearly 180 people to improve their quality of life.
In addition to the center, the Hormigueros Fine Arts building also has over $64,000 for the installation of its storm shutters. The Office of Arts, Culture and Tourism, located in this building, organizes the municipality's cultural activities and provides workshops in visual arts, dance, history, literature, music and theater for community residents.
For more information on Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane María, please visit fema.gov/es/disaster/4339 and recuperacion.pr. Follow our social media pages at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico, Facebook.com/COR3pr and Twitter @COR3pr.
frances.acevedo-pico Mon, 07/18/2022 - 11:09Regional Leaders Named to Federal Wildfire Commission
The Biden-Harris administration selected seven representatives from within FEMA Region 10 states and tribes to serve on the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission.
FEMA, representing the Department of Homeland Security, and the Departments of Interior and Agriculture have announced the selection of members to the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission. Of the 36 non-federal members selected, seven are located within FEMA Region 10 states and tribes.
As an increasing number of communities face wildfires each year and many continue to struggle to recover from recent active wildfire season, the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission represents a whole of government approach to tackling the wildfire crisis. Members will provide a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to develop ways to address the growing threat of wildfires across the country.
Commission members represent federal agencies, state, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector. They are tasked with developing federal policy recommendations to prevent, suppress, manage, and recover from wildland fires as well develop recommendations to more cost effectively meet aerial firefighting equipment needs through 2030. These recommendations will be submitted to Congress within a year of their first meeting.
The following members are located within FEMA Region 10:
Tim Cook, Washington State Hazard Mitigation Officer, Washington (seat: State Hazard Mitigation (alternate))
Cody Desautel, Natural Resource Director, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Washington (seat: Forestry/Industry Representative)
Gary Jackson, Tribal Vice-Chairman, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Oregon (seat: Tribal Government Representative (alternate))
Elizabeth (Eli) King, Washington State Energy Management Director, Washington (seat: State Department of Energy or similar State agency)
Brian Kittler, Senior Director of Forest Restoration, American Forests, Oregon (seat: Forest Stewardship and Reforestation (alternate))
Kelly Martin, President of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, Idaho (seat: Wildland Firefighter)
Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Oregon (seat: State Fire Response)
Details on all commission members are available at the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission website.
The Commission was initially established in 2021 as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) with a call for nominations issued in March 2022. 500 applications were received, and 36 non-federal members were selected (18 primary and 18 alternates).
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 10 Office of External Affairs:
- News Desk at (425) 487-4610 or FEMA-R10-NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov
- Congressional Affairs at FEMA-R10-CongQ@fema.dhs.gov
- Tribal Affairs at FEMA-R10-Tribal@fema.dhs.gov
- Private Sector at FEMA-R10-CommunityPartners@fema.dhs.gov
Follow FEMA Region 10 on Twitter and LinkedIn and visit FEMA.gov for more information.
FEMA MissionHelping people before, during, and after disasters.
mary.j.edmon Fri, 07/15/2022 - 20:56Emergency preparedness exercise scheduled for the North Anna Power Station
PHILADELPHIA – The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will evaluate a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise for communities around the North Anna Power Station. The exercise will occur during the week of July 18, 2022, to assess the ability of the Commonwealth of Virginia to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.
“These drills are held every other year to evaluate government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 3. “We will assess state and local government emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone within the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise.
FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise during a public meeting at 4:00 p.m. on July 21, 2022. The meeting will be conducted in a virtual format via Zoom. Planned speakers include representatives from FEMA and the NRC. Access to the public meeting is provided below:
Join ZoomGov Meeting https://fema.zoomgov.com/j/1602088576
Meeting ID: 160 208 8576 Passcode: 786201
At the public meeting, FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or by mail to:
MaryAnn Tierney
Regional Administrator
FEMA Region III
615 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
FEMA created the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program to (1) ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident and (2) inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.
REP Program responsibilities cover only “offsite” activities, that is, state and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the NRC.
Additional information on FEMA’s REP Program is available online at FEMA.gov/Radiological-Emergency-Preparedness-Program.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3
charles.elison Fri, 07/15/2022 - 20:32FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of the Commonwealth of Virginia
PHILADELPHIA – The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will evaluate a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise for communities around the North Anna Power Station. The exercise will occur during the week of July 18, 2022, to assess the ability of the Commonwealth of Virginia to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility.
“These drills are held every other year to evaluate government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 3. “We will assess state and local government emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone within the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise.
FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise during a public meeting at 4:00 p.m. on July 21, 2022. The meeting will be conducted in a virtual format via Zoom. Planned speakers include representatives from FEMA and the NRC. Access to the public meeting is provided below:
Join ZoomGov Meeting https://fema.zoomgov.com/j/1602088576
Meeting ID: 160 208 8576 Passcode: 786201
At the public meeting, FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or by mail to:
MaryAnn Tierney
Regional Administrator
FEMA Region III
615 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
FEMA created the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program to (1) ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident and (2) inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.
REP Program responsibilities cover only “offsite” activities, that is, state and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the NRC.
Additional information on FEMA’s REP Program is available online at FEMA.gov/Radiological-Emergency-Preparedness-Program.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3
amanda.hancher Fri, 07/15/2022 - 20:27ICYMI: FEMA Administrator Meets with Israeli Mayoral Delegation to Discuss Emergency Management
WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell met with a delegation of Israeli mayors in Brooklyn, New York, Thursday to discuss the importance of local emergency management capacity and the role of elected officials in supporting an effective disaster response and recovery, especially immediately following an event.
This meeting was in support of the December 2021 Memorandum of Understanding between FEMA and Israel’s National Emergency Management Authority. The first-of-its-kind Israeli Executive Education delegation followed Administrator Criswell’s meeting with European crisis managers earlier this year, further underscoring the importance of partnerships with the international disaster community.
“Disasters are universal and are best managed when we come together, both here at home and abroad. We deeply value our partnership with Israel and our other international partners, as we collectively work to strengthen disaster preparedness and climate resilience across our nations,” said Administrator Criswell. “By broadening our knowledge of mitigation and preparedness techniques, we are better poised to give our respective communities the help they need and deserve. We are face-to-face with a global, growing threat landscape, and we can only meet the challenges before us, together.”
The Israeli delegation visit is part of an ongoing bilateral relationship agreement between the United States and Israel. In May, FEMA leadership traveled Israel to and observed their National Level Exercise. The U.S.-Israel emergency management partnership enhances each nation’s response capabilities at all levels of government.
Earlier this week, the Israeli delegation had a similar opportunity, touring FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) in Washington, D.C. The six visiting Israeli mayors also went to FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where they participated in tabletop disaster exercises. The delegation concluded its trip in New York City, meeting with the New York City’s Office of Emergency Management.
WASHINGTON -- Six city mayors from Israel visited FEMA headquarters as part of the first of its kind Executive Education delegation. The mayors received a tour of the National Response Coordination Center and learned about how FEMA supports disaster preparedness and response. (FEMA Photo)
EMMITSBURG, Md. -- Six Israeli mayors spent two days at the U.S. Fire Administration's National Emergency Training Center and FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute learning about crisis management and incident stabilization. They also took part in a tabletop exercise to learn about enhancing cities’ disaster response and recovery. (FEMA Photo)
NEW YORK -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell meets with the Israeli mayoral delegation in Brooklyn, New York, to discuss emergency management and kick off their final day in the United States. (FEMA Photo)
mayshaunt.gary Fri, 07/15/2022 - 17:18FEMA Announces Programs Included in the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative to Increase Equity, Community Resilience
WASHINGTON -- Today, FEMA released an initial list of programs covered under the Biden-Harris Administration's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water and other investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, overburdened and underserved. There are four covered programs within FEMA, each of which advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to environmental justice.
President Biden is committed to securing environmental justice and spurring economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities that are marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment in housing, transportation, water and wastewater infrastructure, and health care.
Under Administrator Deanne Criswell’s leadership, FEMA has been integral to fulfilling the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government approach to advancing environmental justice and delivering on the President’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, including the critical Justice40 Initiative.
“The Justice40 Initiative strengthens FEMA’s commitment to ensure quick and equitable distribution of funds and benefits to the communities who need it most,” said Administrator Criswell. “We know that socially vulnerable communities bear the brunt of climate change and are more likely to be impacted by the associated extreme weather events. Thanks to President Biden and the Justice40 Initiative, FEMA will be able to better serve these communities by making them more resilient when disaster strikes.”
“Disasters don’t discriminate, yet their impacts are always felt the hardest by vulnerable and underserved communities. With the growing threat of climate change increasing the devastation caused by hurricanes and other disasters, we have to act in order to protect communities throughout our nation,” said FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks. “By implementing President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative across critical resilience programs, we will build on the work FEMA is doing to ensure more equitable outcomes when it comes to community preparedness and resilience.”
In total, hundreds of federal programs, including programs that were funded or created in the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are being reimagined and transformed to maximize benefits to disadvantaged communities through the Justice40 Initiative.
Programs in FEMA covered by the Justice40 Initiative include the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities and Flood Mitigation Assistance competitive annual grant programs, which both provide Hazard Mitigation Assistance to state, local, tribal and territorial governments to make communities more resilient from natural hazards. Also included are FEMA Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning and the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program, which help to ensure that communities are prepared for disasters.
Through the Flood Mitigation Assistance program, the Justice40 Initiative also covers the Swift Current Initiative, which is the first FEMA initiative funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strengthen national preparedness and resilience. The Swift Current Initiative aims to better align the delivery of flood mitigation funding to provide improved support to disaster survivors by expediting Flood Mitigation Assistance awards following a disaster, rather than through an annual grant application cycle.
The initial list of announced federal covered programs can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/.
mayshaunt.gary Fri, 07/15/2022 - 15:36The DOE and FEMA Host PR100 Six-Month Progress Update Webinar July 21
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico –─ Join the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) project team conducting the Puerto Rico Grid Resilience and Transition to 100% Renewable Energy Study (PR100) for a public webinar and Q&A on July 21, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 pm E.T. They will present the progress made at the six-month mark of this important stakeholder-informed study and the critical information it provides for Puerto Rico’s power sector recovery and deployment of renewable energy.
DOE is committed to strengthening Puerto Rico’s grid resilience and advancing new initiatives to enhance their energy future,” said the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Gil Bindewald. “DOE, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are leveraging the expertise and world-class capabilities of our national labs to conduct the PR100 study, a community-driven and locally tailored pathways to help Puerto Rico meet their renewable energy goals, improve power sector resilience, and increase access to more affordable energy and cleaner air.”
Puerto Rico committed to meeting its electricity needs with 100% renewable energy by 2050 in the Puerto Rico Energy Public Policy Act of 2019 (Act 17). Various technology solutions, including renewable generation, energy storage, distributed generation, and energy efficient loads, can be deployed to meet Puerto Rico’s energy targets for end-use electrification and phase-out of fossil fuels. The robust modeling and analysis of the national labs can measure the impacts and tradeoffs of different pathways through 2050 to help the people of Puerto Rico make informed choices. The study is led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and convenes subject matter experts across six national laboratories.
Since PR100 was launched last February, the project team has met monthly with energy sector stakeholders to discuss considerations such as energy justice, land use, data inputs, and definitions of resilience, as well as desired project outputs. From this insight, the team defined four potential ways, or scenarios, in which Puerto Rico can meet its near-term renewable energy targets until reaching the ultimate goal of 100% by 2050. The primary distinction between the four scenarios is varying levels of distributed solar photovoltaics (PV) and energy storage, and all will result in increased energy reliability and resilience. The next phase of the study will focus on modeling the feasibility, impacts, and tradeoffs of each scenario.
PR100 is supported by FEMA through an interagency agreement with DOE’s Office of Electricity to address the need for resilient, reliable, and affordable energy in every city and community in Puerto Rico. The results—including data, visualizations, and models—will help Puerto Rico’s energy systems stakeholders make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and strengthen confidence in future investments and their alignment with Puerto Rico’s renewable energy goals.
The primary vehicle for community feedback in PR100 is an advisory group made up of more than 80 Puerto Rico energy system stakeholders. They provide invaluable expertise and perspectives from academia, community-based and environmental organizations, private solar and storage developers, and sectors. The Hispanic Federation of Puerto Rico has also joined the project team to serve as meeting facilitator and to advise on effective community engagement.
The webinar on July 21, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. E.T., will detail the frameworks for four clean energy scenarios that would achieve Puerto Rico’s goals for resilience and 100% renewable energy. This event is open to the public and all are welcome to register to attend and participate in a Q&A with the PR100 team. Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided, as well as closed captioning. Leadership from DOE, FEMA, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development will provide a progress update on Puerto Rico recovery work and their plans for the future.
For more regular updates on the PR100 study, join the online community for PR Energy Recovery and Resilience. Members receive updates from DOE and the multi-lab project team and connect with each other to implement the pathway to 100% renewable energy. Register here to join the community, hosted on Mobilize.
frances.acevedo-pico Fri, 07/15/2022 - 10:54President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Minnesota
WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Minnesota to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding April 22 – June 15, 2022.
Public assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance under public assistance, in Beltrami, Clearwater, Cook, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau and St. Louis counties; and the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Nation and the White Earth Nation.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Brian F. Schiller has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.
mayshaunt.gary Thu, 07/14/2022 - 19:55President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for North Dakota
WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of North Dakota to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe winter storm and flooding April 22-May 25, 2022.
Public assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance under public assistance, in Adams, Barnes, Billings, Bottineau, Burke, Cavalier, Dickey, Divide, Dunn, Foster, Golden Valley, Grand Forks, Grant, Griggs, Hettinger, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McHenry, McIntosh, McKenzie, McLean, Mountrail, Nelson, Oliver, Pembina, Ramsey, Ransom, Renville, Richland, Rolette, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman, Towner, Traill, Walsh, Ward, Wells and Williams counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Alana B. Khun has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.
mayshaunt.gary Thu, 07/14/2022 - 19:41ICYMI FEMA Administrator Criswell Delivers Keynote Remarks on Climate Change, Community Resilience at 2022 ESRI User Conference
WASHINGTON -- On Monday July 11, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell delivered keynote remarks at the 2022 Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) User Conference in San Diego, California. At the event, she discussed how geospatial and predictive forecasting tools help to make communities more resilient in the face of climate change and support FEMA’s readiness to respond to disasters.
“We have to understand the threats that we have faced in the past, but we have to be better prepared for the threats that we are going to face in the future, because our landscape is changing,” said Administrator Criswell. “We have to start to embrace the fact that our world is changing around us, and we have to be able to use this type of technology to help us plan for the future. This type of predictive data ... has never been more important to help our emergency management community get ahead of the threats that we are going to face in the future.”
The Administrator’s remarks as delivered can be found below. Following her remarks, she participated in a sit-down conversation with Esri President and Founder Jack Dangermond.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell delivers remarks during the Esri User Conference July 11.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell discusses wildlife probability at the at the Esri User Conference July 11.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell speaks with Esri President and Founder Jack Dangermond.
Tackling Climate Change by Building Community Resilience Administrator Criswell’s remarks as transcribed
Let me just start by saying the nation needs you. And for those of you who are watching from around the world, your nations need you as well.
I’m Deanne Criswell. I’m the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. What you just saw is what we call our anthem. This is our visual depiction of our strategic plan that is helping us achieve our vision of helping us become the FEMA that our nation needs and deserves.
And what I want to talk to all of you about today, is how important your role is in helping us achieve that vision of helping us help people before, during and after disasters. Before I start, I would just like to thank Jack and this entire ESRI team, the outstanding work that went into making this event possible. I don’t know about all of you, but I have been inspired. I have been motivated and I have all kinds of ideas that I know when I go back, my team is going to say stop sending her to these things, because there’s so many things that I’ve learned today that are just going to help us do our jobs better.
And my goal today is to empower all of you, empower you to see yourself as part of that mission of helping us build a more prepared and more resilient nation. Because the truth is, we need your help now, more than we ever have.
So, what does our threat landscape look like? Well, I can tell you from my experiences, just in the last year alone, my time in this position, that no one is immune. All of you, in all of your communities, are experiencing disasters, natural hazard threats like we’ve never seen before.
When I think about the west coast, I think about wildfires. I think about how we no longer have a wildfire season. We have a year-long wildfire threat. Just earlier this year, New Mexico had their largest wildfire in their history. In December of last year, we had a wildfire that ripped through a suburban area of Boulder, Colorado, destroying over 1,000 homes in just a matter of hours. When I think about the Midwest, and I think about tornadoes. I think about a tornado that went through Mayfield, Kentucky. The longest tornado on record, happening in December. We normally think about tornadoes happening in the spring or the summer, not in December.
When I think about the tropics, and I think about tropical storms, we can just look back to last summer -- Hurricane Ida. We’re seeing more and more major hurricanes than we ever have before. Category 4, Category 5. Hurricane Ida, Category 4 hurricane. Made landfall -- stayed a Category 4 hurricane for several hours. Unheard of. When they make landfall, they usually dissipate. Not Ida. But she wasn’t done yet. She then traveled across nine states and finished her path of destruction, on the east coast. So that brings me to floods and flash flooding. New York City had a record rainfall amount from this post tropical system. A record that they broke that was set just two weeks before.
And then I think about heat. I think about heat domes that we’re seeing in the Pacific Northwest. You’ve heard a lot today about these types of threats that are going on. In fact, I read an article just the other day, that scientists believe that they can now directly link these heat domes are a direct result of climate change. And if you didn’t know, heat-related deaths are the no. 1 killer in America from natural hazards.
No one in this room is immune. The disasters that we are seeing, they’re increasing. They’re growing.
So when I look at this map, right here. This is a representation of all of the major disaster declarations FEMA has given since the year 2000. You can see areas that are in darker red, which means that they are getting repetitive disasters year after year.
But this is just those that got a major disaster declaration. This does not include all of those other events that just don’t rise to that level. Events that are still impacting communities each and every day.
It’s history. History is important. We have to understand the threats that we have faced in the past, but we have to be better prepared for the threats that we are going to face in the future, because our landscape is changing.
We have another map here that talks about the potential wildfire probability through the year 2052 -- showing increased risk across the nation in areas that haven’t traditionally experienced this type of wildfire risk. We also earlier today, some of the work that’s coming out of the President’s Climate Office, that’s showing other future risk. We have to start to embrace the fact that our world is changing around us, and we have to be able to use this type of technology to help us plan for the future. This type of predictive data geospatial science has never been more important to help our emergency management community get ahead of the threats that we are going to face in the future. Because right now, today and in the future, we are looking to data more than we ever have to help drive our decisions and our ability to help people.
So where does this information come from? Who’s behind this information? I learned a lot today about where a lot of this information is coming from, and all of the people that are behind creating all these amazing tools. I’m going to give you an example on one of our tools and how we use this information to help drive our decision making to help drive how we direct resources to help people. This right here is our National Risk Index. You can find this on fema.gov, and this gives us information about different risks that receive, those that I just talked about, and it combines it with social vulnerability, with community resilience, and it gives us a 30,000-foot view of really what the risk really is across our nation. This is powerful. This is such a powerful tool for us to use for emergency managers to be able to go in here and better understand the risks and their communities, so they can help develop their investments to help reduce the impacts of these risks. We will not be able to keep up with the response and the recovery cycle if these threats continue to grow. We need information like this to help us get ahead of it and reduce those impacts.
The individuals can use this risk index as well. We have seen through the COVID-19 pandemic a number of people who have moved across the country. They’re living in areas that they haven’t lived in before. They’re living with risk that they may have never experienced in the past. Tools like this, individuals can now go in, tools that we saw earlier today, and learn what their risk is in their communities so they can figure out how to plan and prepare to protect their families better.
So let’s get a little bit deeper in this. How do we use this information? Well, I’m going to start by having you look at the imagery behind me, behind all of these screens here. I talked a little bit ago, about Mayfield, Kentucky. The tornado that went through in December of last year. This is the imagery from that tornado. This is the imagery from the destruction that that tornado caused. So why is this so important? Well, this imagery is important because the sooner we can get it, and in this case, getting this kind of fidelity, this kind of eyes on without having to spend people in the field, within hours, within days of an incident happening, directly informed my recommendation to the President of the United States to say this needs to be a major disaster declaration. In the past, we would have sent people in the field. We would have walked around neighborhoods for days or even weeks to come up with that determination. But by using imagery that helps us make those decisions sooner so we can get people on the ground. Myself and my team, we were on the ground within 48 hours of this tornado making landfall.
Now we go a little deeper. We look at this image right here behind me. This now takes that path of the tornado, and it overlays it on top of that national risk index. We can now look at our neighborhoods that are the most vulnerable in society in general and see who has been impacted by this disaster, by this tornado. We can pinpoint those neighborhoods, instantly almost, and direct our resources to go in there, instead of trying to figure out again days or weeks of where the damage is. We can use this kind of information, focus those resources, get them to those neighborhoods that we know are going to need it most, especially those communities that are most vulnerable.
We’ll take it a step further. We will also add our applicant registration data. So when there’s a major disaster declaration, an individual can call FEMA, they can go online and they can ask for help. We take that information and lay it on top of here and I can see who has asked for help. But more importantly, I can see you hasn’t asked for help. I can see those communities that are the most vulnerable and I can see whether or not they have registered for assistance. And if they haven’t, I can take my people, our resources to them. Because in the end, it is all about people. It is people first.
This image is an example of our disaster survivor Assistance teams, one of our most powerful resources that we have. They are the face of FEMA immediately after a disaster happens, and with the type of information and the type of data that I just talked about, I can direct them to the street level of where to go help people. They go down with their iPads. They register them for assistance right in their front yard, and many of them will have financial assistance in their bank accounts within a few days. Powerful. Really helps us get to people. Helps us bring our services to the people, instead of making them figure out how to navigate our level of bureaucracy.
But we cannot do this alone. This is all about partnerships. This is about mapping common ground. One of the strengths of the emergency management community is partnerships. We know who to bring together to make sure we’re having the right conversations. Our emergency management community, they do not have to be the subject matter experts in what we’re trying to solve. They know though, who is, and they know how to bring them together and have those conversations. An example of this is our NRCC -- our National Response Coordination Center. This is where we bring our federal family together at FEMA headquarters -- our nonprofit partners, our NGOs, sometimes our private sector, and we sit side by side and we share information. We work together and collaboratively to solve the tough problems that we are being faced with.
But as you can see from the threats that we are facing this person-to-person relationship going into the future is not going to be enough. We have to have digital handshakes. We have to have the ability to share information digitally, quickly, so we can make quicker decisions to help people. Our Geospatial Resource Center is a great example of how we are doing this digitally. This is our digital NRCC. This is where all of our different federal family, our private sector, our NGOs are inputting their data to help us solve the tough, complex challenges that we are facing today.
But we don’t just do this during response. We use this portal, this hub, before, during and after disasters. So, before disasters, we partner with agencies like NOAA, with USGS, with NASA. They give us predictive information. They give us modeling, so we’re not only solving our problems based on historical data, but we’re looking to the future, we’re looking to what those trends are going to be to help guide our local emergency managers, our state emergency managers and how they can better invest their money to reduce the impacts that we’re seeing from these disasters. We have to be able to use this information before so we can build a stronger, more resilient nation.
But when we do have to respond, I think you heard me say in the video, time is our most precious commodity. We have to have information quickly, so we can save lives. We gather information from our partners like the American Red Cross and our local first responders. They give us valuable information to help us better understand the impacts that this disaster is having. We use things like remote sensing to help us better identify where people might be. A really great example of this is the tragic events that happened in June of last year, just over a year ago in Miami, Florida, with the Surfside condo collapse. Our urban search and rescue teams, they used remote sensing to help direct and target where they were going to do their search efforts. When minutes if not seconds, were going to make a difference. It was this type of technology that helps focus our efforts so precisely that we can do the most good for the most people.
But then after, we want to build more resilience. We want our communities to come out of this stronger. So, we partner with companies, partners like the Army Corps of Engineers the Department of Transportation, or local public works departments. We work with them as we are trying to rebuild these communities, as we are helping them repair their infrastructure. So, we can repair it better and more resilient, so they can withstand the impacts of these future threats that we are going to face.
So, I have a call to action for all of you. Right now, your nation needs you more than it ever has. As I said, nobody is immune. I bet many of you in this room have experienced some type of natural disaster, natural weather event. So, what I need you to do is a few things. I need your ideas. I need your creativity. I need your passion. Everything that we heard this morning is so inspiring. And it’s that that type of creativity and passion that needs to continue, so we can continue to get better at what we’re doing. I need you to connect and grow with each other in this room. This is such an amazing opportunity to make new relationships, learn new things, get ideas, go back to your agencies and help them see how they can do things better. I need you to develop and continue to push to develop innovative tools. So much of what we saw today – so much creativity and innovation out there. It’s only going to continue to get better and make the biggest difference in people’s lives.
This room is full of the brightest minds that are out there. If there is anybody that can help us solve these types of tough problems, it’s everybody here in this room. So, I ask you this, keep pushing the boundaries, keep innovating and creating. So we can save the most lives, we can protect the most property and we can create sustainable communities for generations to come, for our children, for our grandchildren to thrive in.
I will leave you with this: Remember, from challenge comes change -- so let’s begin.
mayshaunt.gary Wed, 07/13/2022 - 18:33FEMA, AARP Release New Resources to Help Local Communities Protect Older Adults Before, During and After Natural Disasters
WASHINGTON -- As the United States enters peak hurricane season, FEMA and AARP have released new resources to help local officials and emergency managers protect older adults in their communities before, during and after natural disasters and support communities in mitigating the effects of extreme weather events.
The “Guide to Expanding Mitigation: Making the Connection to Older Adults,” released by FEMA and AARP, highlights how natural hazards uniquely affect older adults and provides recommendations for how emergency managers, planners, local officials and community members can include older adults in community efforts to lower their risks. The AARP Disaster Resilience Tool Kit features strategies to help local, state and community leaders and advocates reduce the risk and impacts of disasters on older adults.
“Adults aged 65 and older are a growing demographic who are often disproportionately impacted by severe weather. These disparities can be compounded by other factors, such as low income or chronic illness, producing inequitable results for this vulnerable population when it comes to disaster preparedness,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Effective mitigation planning requires that we consider the needs of all populations, and FEMA’s partnership with AARP on these guides will help community planners ensure our older communities are more resilient in the face of hurricanes and other natural disasters.”
“By 2034, adults ages 65 and over will outnumber those under 18 in the United States for the first time. This has profound implications during natural disasters and extreme weather events,” said Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer at AARP. “State and local leaders and emergency officials must be better equipped and prepared to ensure that older adults are kept safe and their needs are met when a disaster strikes.”
A growing body of evidence shows that older adults are disproportionately impacted by the types of weather-related emergencies and natural disasters that are becoming increasingly frequent and severe. Individuals who have chronic illnesses, functional limitations or disabilities are especially vulnerable, as evidenced by the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on older adults. Not only are older people at a higher risk of death from infectious diseases and disasters, but the long-term effects on those who survive often undermine their physical and mental health, economic security and overall wellbeing.
Although many communities support older adults in preparation for disasters, expanded mitigation planning can help reduce the loss of life and property by minimizing the impact of disasters before they happen. Mitigation actions and strategies that make cities, towns and neighborhoods safer for older adults can benefit all residents and increase community resilience overall.
The guide and tool kit are the result of a multi-year collaboration between AARP and FEMA to identify and provide resources, spark ideas and encourage organizations to better engage older Americans in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery operations. This long-term, strategic alliance aims to advance accessible, safe and livable communities for people of all ages.
To view and download the “Guide to Expanding Mitigation: Making the Connection to Older Adults,” visit FEMA.gov. To view, download or request a print copy of the AARP Disaster Resilience Tool Kit, visit AARP.org/DisasterResilience.
mayshaunt.gary Wed, 07/13/2022 - 16:48Kaufman County, Texas Flood Maps Become Final
DENTON, Texas – New flood maps have been finalized and will become effective on Jan. 12, 2023, for Kaufman County, Texas. During the next six months, a FEMA compliance specialist will work with the community to update each floodplain ordinance and adopt these new flood maps.
Residents are encouraged to examine the maps to determine if they are in a low-to-moderate or high-risk flood zone. The current and future Flood Insurance Rate Map can be viewed on FEMA’s Flood Map Changes Viewer at https://msc.fema.gov/fmcv.
By understanding flood risks, individuals can decide which insurance option is best for their situation. Community leaders can use these maps to make informed decisions about building standards and development that will make the community more resilient and lessen the impacts of a flooding event.
Anyone without flood insurance risks uninsured losses to their home, personal property and business. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for those in communities who participate in the NFIP. Residents with federally backed mortgages must have flood insurance if their structures are in the Special Flood Hazard Area.
Contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) to review the new flood maps and learn more about your risk of flooding. A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify your community FPA and answer questions about the maps as well. Contact them by phone or online chat.
- To use the live chat service, visit http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
- To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.
Carmen.Castro Tue, 07/12/2022 - 14:25FEMA is Hiring – Join New Mexico Wildfire Recovery Team
SANTA FE, New Mexico – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has an immediate need to employ residents of New Mexico as temporary local hires to assist with disaster response and recovery efforts. Local hire employees are local residents who aid in the recovery of the community and help their fellow citizens in the recovery process. Apply for this exciting opportunity!
Do you like working outside ensuring materials get to where they are needed? Do you like coordinating with non-profit agencies to locate resources for residents in need? Maybe you prefer overseeing grants to ensure neighbors and communities are being helped. There are various jobs available to aid with community recovery needs, mostly in Santa Fe, that may match your skill set.
Logistics Specialists: usajobs.gov/job/664117800. Application period closes July 14 or when 100 applications have been received, which may be sooner than the date.
Mitigation Grants Specialists: usajobs.gov/job/664056000. Application period closes July 14 or when 200 applications have been received, which may be sooner than the date.
Voluntary Agency Liaison Specialists: usajobs.gov/job/664322300. Application period closes July 15 or when 100 applications have been received, which may be sooner than the date.
Most temporary local hires are employed through a streamlined hiring process. A local hire’s term of employment is 120 days, though it may be extended in 120-day increments. Visit the link above for additional information, including job responsibilities and compensation.
FEMA is an equal opportunity employer. Salaries are comparable to local pay rates.
Conditions of Employment:You must be a U.S. citizen to be considered for this position.
You must successfully pass a background investigation.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after Dec. 31, 1959.
Review job announcements for additional conditions of employment.
To see other FEMA career postings, visit fema.gov/careers.
To address many of the common myths and rumors during the New Mexico wildfires, FEMA activated a rumor/myth webpage. You can access it online at fema.gov/nm-rumors.
For the latest information on the wildfires, visit fema.gov/disaster/4652. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.
thomas.wise Mon, 07/11/2022 - 22:00FEMA Welcomes New Emergency Management Exchange Selectees
WASHINGTON -- Today, FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks welcomed the first group of participants in the new FEMA Emergency Management Exchange program.
First announced by Administrator Deanne Criswell in March, the new program offers state, tribal, local and territorial emergency managers and government officials the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with FEMA senior leadership. The program also provides a new avenue to strengthen FEMA’s partnerships with state, territory, tribal and local emergency managers to increase community resilience against disasters.
“Today, FEMA welcomes four talented and dedicated public servants to join us on a new collaboration we expect will produce tremendous results,” said Deputy Administrator Hooks. “The willingness of these emergency managers to join us here presents us with opportunities to learn from each other, share best practices and break down barriers, enabling us to better serve communities across our nation.”
The Emergency Management Exchange brings FEMA closer to our stakeholders and highlights the agency’s focus on strengthening the emergency management workforce, a key goal of the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan.
The selected participants were nominated by their home organizations and bring a variety of experiences to their pre-identified exchange assignment.
FEMA is pleased to welcome the following government partners to join us for the 2022 Emergency Management Exchange.
- Chas Eby, Deputy Executive Director, Maryland Department of Emergency Management will work to help deliver disaster recovery assistance to survivors and communities in the Recovery Directorate assignment.
- Delanie Edmunds, Emergency Planner, Idaho Office of Emergency Management will support the mobilization and direction of emergency response resources and capabilities in the Response Directorate assignment.
- Alexandra Gallo, California Strategic Growth Council, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research will work on climate adaptation policy, programming and public information and services in the Resilience: Climate assignment.
- Paige Nutter, Hazard Mitigation Coordinator, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will help to improve disaster outcomes for underserved communities and ensure equitable delivery of FEMA’s programs and services in the Resilience: Equity assignment.
This Emergency Management Exchange will run from July to December 2022, with a future session planned from January to June 2023, where FEMA will send four of its federal employees to participating non-federal governmental programs.
To learn more about the emergency management exchange or the work assignments, visit the Emergency Manager Exchange web page.
mayshaunt.gary Mon, 07/11/2022 - 21:26Pages
