Ky Association of Mitigation Managers

Kentucky Watches, Warnings or Advisories – Weather Alerts Follow the alerts, link here.

KAMM Membership!

KAMM 2018

Joining KAMM has never been easier! KAMM offers three membership levels: Individual ($25) and Student ($10); and Agency/Organization ($250). Membership is based on the calendar year.

Link to Join KAMM or follow the links in the Index (to the right) to register via your payment method.

2018 KAMM Conference

Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz

Mitigation Superheroes: Investing in Our Communities

September 17, Preconference workshops and activities

September 18 – 20, 2018

Registration is Open! Link to the 2018 Conference webpage

Preconference Workshops and Activities: Link to the Preconference agenda to learn more!

Conference Speaker Overview: Link to the updated 2018 Conference Speaker overview 07 06 2018 that includes presentation titles.

KAMM Conference Agenda: Link to the 2018 KAMM Conference agenda -DRAFT 8 06 18.

2018 Mitigations Awards: Link to award information so you can nominate for these prestigious awards.

Lake Barkley Lodging: link to state park lodging information on the various types of lodging we have reserved for the conference.

Be a Sponsor: Link to sponsor information to learn about five sponsor levels and benefits.

Donate to the Silent Auction: Link to the Silent Auction so you can donate an item.

Scholarships: We are providing local officials who are a first-time conference attendee an opportunity to receive a conference scholarship (does not include lodging). If you are interested in a scholarship, please send us a note at help@kymitigation.org.

KAMM Sponsors: Link to the current Superhero Sponsors.

KAMM Regional Training

Thank you for attending 2018 KAMM Regional Training, For More Info link here.

2018 PDM and FMA Grant Program Funding Announcement

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is announcing that $395 million in funding is available through two Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs: 1) Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and 2) Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM). These competitive grant programs will open October 1, 2018, to assist state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in strengthening our nation’s ability to reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damages.

FMA

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program provides funds on an annual basis for measures to reduce or eliminate risk of flood damage to buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). New in this application cycle, FEMA has set-aside $70 million of the $160 million in FMA grant funds for community flood mitigation proposals. The remainder of the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) grants will continue to focus on other FMA priorities.

Further information is in the NOFO: DHS-18-MT-029-000-99 and FY 2018 FMA Fact Sheet.

PDM

The Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) grant program provides funds on an annual basis for hazard mitigation planning and the implementation of mitigation projects prior to a disaster. The goal of the PDM grant program is to reduce overall risk to the population and structures, while at the same time reducing reliance on federal funding from actual disaster declarations. In FY18, $ 235 million is available for PDM grants, including $15 million set-aside for federally-recognized tribes.

Further information is in the NOFO: DHS-18-MT-047-000-99 and FY 2018 PDM Fact Sheet.

Pre-Applications must be submitted in the eGrants system at https://portal.fema/gov by Friday, October 26. Applications will need to be complete and submitted in the eGrants system by Monday, December 17.

Training webinars: Training webinars hosted by FEMA on the FMA and PDM Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) and eGrants is available at: https://www.fema.gov/2018-nofo-webinar-schedule.

Join DSS-Wise Lite Webinar on August 30

August 1, 2018

DSS-WISE™ Lite is a web-based, automated, two-dimensional dam- and levee-break flood modeling and mapping capability developed by the National Center for Computational Hydroscience and Engineering (NCCHE), the University of Mississippi, with funding from the FEMA. It is accessible via DSS-WISE™ Web platform (https://dsswiseweb.ncche.olemiss.edu/), which provides access to a secure, web-based environment consisting of a graphical user interface (GUI) and a map server.

The system is available 24/7 and free of charge to registered users. The DSS-WISE™ Lite Prep Tool with real-time error checking allows the user to quickly set up and run dam and levee breach scenarios with resolutions from 20 ft. to 200 ft. in 12 intuitive easy steps. The data entry by the user is minimal. The preparation of the input data for the numerical model is fully automated.

The parallelized computational engine uses a state-of-the-art, shock capturing, upwind scheme to solve two-dimensional full dynamic shallow water equations efficiently and quickly to provide a rich set of results. DSS-WISE™ Lite has been successfully used as an operational modeling tool during numerous emergencies for emergency response planning. As the simulation is being computed, the user can monitor the propagation of the flood and the inundation extent on a secure web page.

Please join DSS-Wise Lite Webinar from your computer, tablet or smartphone on August 30.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/698618021

1 (571) 317-3122; Access Code: 698-618-021

This webinar:

1) overviews the system components for DSS-WISE™ Web and GUI;

2) demonstrates how to set up and run “reservoir-type” and “hydrograph-type” simulations;

3) demonstrates how to view and use the results files provided;

4) explains behind the scenes of automated input data preparation and its limitations;

5) discusses typical users mistakes and how to avoid them; and

6) presents tips and techniques for dealing with challenging cases.

Recording will be available at https://dsswiseweb.ncche.olemiss.edu/documentation/

A Good Day for FEMA Region IV – Kentucky is the 2nd Annual CTP Recognition Program Winner

July 3, 2018

On the left, National CTP Program Coordinator, Laura Algeo, and representing the winner of the 2nd Annual CTP Recognition Award for the KDOW, Carey Johnson.

The Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program launched the CTP Recognition program in 2017 to award high-performing CTPs for their efforts in project management, communications best practices and the development of tools and resources. This year, at the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) annual conference, the KDOW and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (Georgia DNR) were chosen by their peers as the winner and honorable mention respectively for the 2nd Annual CTP Recognition Program.

KDOW the winner of the 2nd Annual CTP Recognition Program, is recognized for strengths in Communications and Outreach and Program Management activities. KDOW has enhanced traditional communications and outreach activities by embracing the use of technology (virtual reality, iPads, web tools, etc.) to communicate flood risks. KDOW developed the Kentucky Water Maps Portal as a singular source of water-based information for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The flood risk portal provides access to current flood risk data, engineering models, and important backup information (HEC-RAS models, hydraulic reports, hydrologic reports) in a web-based mapping application.

For more information, visit: http://watermaps.ky.gov/.

Presidential Disaster Declared for Kentucky Counties Impacted by Severe Weather and Flooding

April 27, 2018

President Donald Trump has authorized assistance for certain Kentucky counties that suffered significant damage as a result of the severe weather and flooding event occurring from Feb. 21, 2018 through March 21, 2018.

The President’s action grants public assistance to 34 impacted counties to repair roads, bridges and other infrastructure due to severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides. The declaration will also provide the Commonwealth with mitigation funds.

Counties included in this declaration are: Boyd, Bullitt, Butler, Caldwell, Campbell, Carlisle, Carroll, Carter, Crittenden, Fulton, Gallatin, Grant, Graves, Greenup, Hancock, Hardin, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Jefferson, Kenton, Lawrence, Livingston, McCracken, McLean, Metcalfe, Ohio, Owen, Spencer, Trigg, Trimble, Union, Washington, and Webster.

“The recent award of public assistance and mitigation funding will assist in restoration of our bridges, roadways and infrastructure damaged in the severe weather and flooding event,” said Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) Director Michael Dossett. “Our FEMA Region IV partners are currently on the ground in the Commonwealth, and this declaration will allow them to continue providing recovery services.”

Link to Public Assistance Guidance

FEMA Announces the Release of the Annual Report of the Flood Insurance Advocate

April 6, 2018

FEMA released the 2017 Annual Report of the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate (OFIA). The report is intended to increase transparency, and to support the ongoing improvements to the NFIP with the goal of reducing its complexity. A copy of the Annual Report and Summary can be found on FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-flood-insurance-advocate. Or link to the Annual Report Executive Summary.

In 2017, the OFIA identified eight primary policyholder and property owner challenges, which include recommendations that present opportunities for reducing the complexity of FEMA:

Challenges to customer communication during the claims process
Effectiveness of map change communications
Misunderstandings regarding Zone A
Lack of premium reduction following a lower-level abandonment of a building
Basement determination made at the time of loss
Lack of refunds for duplicate coverage with private insurance
Severe repetitive loss mitigation
Lenders requiring coverage where a claim would not be paid

New to this year’s report is the identification of two external trends (affordability and the complexity of the NFIP) that may require legislative or funding action solutions to resolve. The issues identified in this report are based on the observations of the roughly 500 inquiries the Office received, about 25 percent more than last year’s total.

FEMA Launches New FloodSmart.gov

April 2018

FEMA launched the first phase of the new FloodSmart.gov website. The updates to FloodSmart.gov incorporates social science and website usage research as well as best practices for a streamlined and customer-centric experience. The next phase of the website launch will include insurance agent toolkits, social media templates, marketing tools, and flood map change toolkits.

RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Building Codes for Mitigation: Using ASCE 24

January 25, 2018

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Division delivered a webinar to share information on the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 24 Building Codes for Mitigation. Presenters provided information on ASCE 24 flood-specific building code requirements as they relate to HMA, including information about mitigation projects such as elevations, floodproofing, and mitigation reconstruction.

Participants who would find value in this webinar include floodplain administrators, city and building code officials, insurance adjusters, and others who have an interest in understanding and applying ASCE 24 requirements.

Link to https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/158814 for more information.

USGS Publishes Bulletin 17C, “Guidelines for Determining Flood Flow Frequency”

April 2, 2018

Accurate estimates of flood frequency and magnitude are a key component of any effective nationwide flood risk management and flood damage abatement program. In addition to accuracy, methods for estimating flood risk must be uniformly and consistently applied because management of the nation’s water and related land resources is a collaborative effort involving multiple actors, including most levels of government and the private sector. Bulletin 17C’s Chapter B5 of book 4 (TM 4–B5) deals with flood flow frequency analysis at gaged sites using the Expected Moments Algorithm. The use of extreme flood data represented by interval and censored data types, including historical, paleoflood and botanical evidence, is emphasized.

Map Service Center Enhancements and Related Tools Updates

January 25, 2018

A number of important changes are coming to FEMA’s Map Service Center (MSC) and related services as the agency continues to improve how we provide information related to the delivery of flood maps. On February 3, FEMA will implement changes to the MSC Address Search tool and enhancements to the National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) Viewer. The updates streamline access to the NFHL, and reorganize how some other tools are accessed. These updates help reduce the complexity of FEMA for map users by reducing the steps necessary to get the information they need and providing an authoritative, consolidated view of flood risk.

FEMA has been working for many years to transition fully to the use of digital flood maps. The changes on February 3 continue the progress on this transition. Specifically, the changes will direct most users to the NFHL as the primary source for viewing and printing flood hazards information, but users will still be able to access the legacy FIRMette tool.

Read more …. There are four primary updates happening …

Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: 2017 Interim Report

January 11, 2018

For our nation to become more resilient, we must develop a more effective and efficient way to invest in mitigation. The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council (MMC) released an updated and expanded Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: 2017 Interim Report.

The Institute’s project team looked at the results of 23 years of federally funded mitigation grants provided by the FEMA, U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and found mitigation funding can save the nation $6 in future disaster costs, for every $1 spent on hazard mitigation.

The Institute’s project team examined an expanded set of mitigation actions to determine the Benefit Cost Ratios (BCR) of building new structures beyond code requirements. The hazard categories covered in this report include: Riverine Flood, Hurricane Surge, Wind, Earthquake, and Wildland-Urban Interface Fire.

The report uses two high-level Benefit Cost Ratios (BCRs) representing the benefits of mitigation. The report demonstrates that, on average, investments in hazard mitigation measures that exceed provisions of the 2015 model building code can save the nation $4 for every $1 spent.

The report suggests a savings of $15.5 Billion from one year of building new construction beyond code requirements and a total of $158 Billion in savings from federally funded mitigation grant programs funded from 1993-2016.

The report has been vetted by a large group of public and private-sector experts. This Independent Study is directed by the National Institute of Building Sciences with funding support from the FEMA and other governmental and non-governmental sponsors. The authors of this study do not speak for or on behalf of FEMA. Findings presented in this Interim Report should not be taken as reflecting the opinions or policies of FEMA or its staff.

Link to Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: 2017 Interim Report and the Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: 2017 Interim Study Frequently Asked Questions.

Congressional Research Service Takes a Deep Look into Private Flood Insurance & the NFIP

July 2018

The report describes the current role of private insurers in U.S. flood insurance, and discusses barriers to expanding private sector involvement. The report considers potential effects of increased private sector involvement in the U.S. flood market, both for the NFIP and for consumers. Finally, the report outlines the pro-visions relevant to private flood insurance in the House and Senate NFIP reauthorization bills. Read the full report here.

NFIP Flood Insurance Changes: October 2017, April 2018 and …January 2019

After the flurry of changes to the federal flood insurance program following the reform legislations of 2012 and 2014, FEMA has settled down on making changes in October, April and January. In the recent October 2017 update, we saw minimal changes (HFIAA Surcharge can now be pro-rata refunded if a policy is canceled. And except for mainly the Preferred Risk Policies, the Federal Policy Fee for contents-only policies was reduced to $25). The latest version of the NFIP Manual includes these changes.

The recently announced changes for April 2018 and January 2019 (for the Preferred Risk Policy and Newly Mapped Procedure annual changes) are pretty much in line with last year.

April 1, 2018 highlights: Rate Increases:

Average premium increase is 6.9%
Besides the pre-FIRM subsidized premiums that are congressionally-mandated to increase 25% (e.g., non-primary residences, non-residential businesses), pre-FIRM premiums increase only 5%
Post-FIRM A Zones will see minimal to no increases; e.g., AE: 1%; AO or AH: 0%; Unnumbered Zone A: 2%
Standard X Zone: 1%

Primary Residence Determination: FEMA recognizes a policyholder can have more than one primary residence, as each spouse could live more than 50% of the year at a separate residence.

Phase 2 of Re-underwriting the NFIP policy base: This is delayed/extended. In response to HFIAA, FEMA needs to send out letters to all policyholders to clearly communicate their risk. To do so, FEMA asked insurance companies and NFIP-Direct to underwrite basically all renewal policies, but post-FIRM policies starting October 2016. FEMA would then send a letter to each of those policyholders after the policy renewed. The Post-FIRM phase was to start this October, but it is now delayed due to the recent hurricanes and will start when April 2018 renewal notices begin going out (though some companies have already started it).

January 1, 2019 changes:

Preferred Risk Policy (and eligible A99 and AR) premiums will increase 6%
The Newly Mapped policy multiplier continues to be 15%

NOTE: With all of that published, FEMA just released an additional Bulletin that increases the ICC premium starting April 1, 2018. In some cases, the annual increase is $1, but in others, like pre-FIRM Zone A, we are seeing $5 and $10 increases. FEMA did not revise the overall rate increase percentages mentioned above so we don’t know the relative percentage impact.

FEMA Releases Affordability Framework for the National Flood Insurance Program

April 17, 2018

FEMA released an Affordability Framework for the NFIP, which for the first time provides data-driven analysis of the cost burden borne by flood insurance policyholders and potential policyholders, identifies the populations most burdened by the cost of flood insurance, and provides options for policymakers to consider to help close the flood insurance gap across the nation by reducing the cost burden of flood insurance.

Through the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 and the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014, Congress directed FEMA to examine options to aid individuals so they could afford risk-based premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and to develop a framework to help policymakers consider how to provide targeted assistance to policyholders and potential policyholders.

In the Affordability Framework, FEMA proposes several options based on income and offers descriptive models of the cost of each option. The following tasks were considered:

– Understand the affordability of the current NFIP portfolio as a baseline to better understand the impact of changes going forward.
– Begin the process of building the affordability framework.
– Complete the process of building an affordability framework.

As part of FEMA’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, FEMA is working to close the insurance gap with the assistance of both public and private insurers. As the largest provider of flood insurance in the United States, the NFIP is working to double the number of properties covered by flood insurance from the current 4 million to 8 million by 2023.

The Affordability Framework is available online at www.FEMA.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-publications.

Mitigation Publications – 2018

Streambank Bioengineering Job Aid available. January 2018. Link to: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/156338. Bioengineering uses plants to stabilize and reduce erosion on streambanks, bringing together engineering, ecology, and landscape architecture for long-term solutions to reduce risk from natural hazards. This job aid presents the benefits of bioengineered solutions, describes commonly used measures, and identifies steps to plan and execute a successful project, including criteria to use in selecting the right approaches. It includes case studies demonstrating practical applications of bioengineering methods in riverine environments subject to bank erosion and habitat degradation.

NFIP Desk Reference Guide. October 2017. FEMA updated its “NFIP Desk Reference Guide for State Insurance Commissioners and Others.” The guide is in three distinct parts: Before the Flood, During the Flood and After the Flood. Each provides valuable resources on what you need to know, what you need to share with policyholders and property owners, and who to contact. It’s organized to provide you the information you need to know when you need to know it most. FEMA published it electronically to ensure easy updates as the program evolves, and also included an interactive version.

Need help explaining to city officials the value of freeboard? February 2018 The ASFPM developed a tri-fold called, “The Costs & Benefits for Building Higher.” The terminology is relatively simple so that city officials not well versed in floodplain management can understand how communities are safer when building higher, and how their citizens can save money and increase the value of their homes.

Ten Ways to Design Healthy Communities. March 30, 2018. A new report from the Urban Land Institute’s Center for Sustainability and Economic Performance outlines ten fundamental principles for building resilient cities and regions that successfully anticipate, respond to, and recover from both immediate shocks such as hurricanes and other extreme weather events and long-term stresses. Making healthy choices easy is a public-health goal. And how communities are designed can actually have a dramatic impact on that goal. Better still, any civic-minded group or individual can initiate community-health-oriented projects, from developing a new trail or park to reprogramming existing facilities. Download Ten Ways to Design Healthy Communities.

Step-by-Step Guide to Integrating Community Input into Green Infrastructure Projects. April, 2018. Many communities are turning to “green infrastructure” to reduce flooding, clean and conserve water, and provide recreational and other benefits. But how can local governments ensure they’re meeting the needs of the community? The Step-by-Step Guide to Integrating Community Input into Green Infrastructure Projects shows how. The guide provides details and tips to help local governments as they move through the decision making process in eight, easy-to-digest steps. While the guide is directed largely at local governments, it could also be a useful resource for other groups such as community and nonprofit organizations that are looking to implement green infrastructure projects in their communities. Download the Step-by-Step Guide to Integrating Community Input into Green Infrastructure Projects. For additional information, visit ELI’s Green Infrastructure Program.

Mitigation for Homeowners. May 2018. There are a wide range of options for protecting a home from flood and wind events through mitigation. Be
sure to consult with a licensed contractor and the local building department before making any structural changes to understand requirements and obtain any necessary permits. Download the Mitigation_For_Homeowners_FactSheet.

Asphalt Shingle Roofing for High-Wind Regions. May 2018. The purpose of this Recovery Advisory is to recommend practices for installing asphalt roof shingles that will enhance wind resistance in high-wind regions. For the purpose of this advisory, a high-wind region is considered to be an area where the basic (design) wind speed for Risk Category II buildings (as defined in American Society of Civil Engineers [ASCE] 7, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures) is greater than 115 miles per hour. The primary audience for this advisory includes contractors and design professionals, but the practices presented here may also be helpful for homeowners and other building owners. Download the Asphalt Shingle Roofing for High-Wind Regions.

Dry Floodproofing – Planning and Design Considerations. April 2018. The purpose of this Recovery Advisory is to provide guidance on the design of dry floodproofing measures to reduce flood damage and limit interruption of building services. This advisory incorporates observations made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Mitigation Assessment Teams (MATs) in Texas and Florida after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. It describes best design practices and successful implementation of dry floodproofing, as well as lessons learned from failures. The information in this advisory is directed toward existing and new non-residential facilities. Download the Dry Floodproofing – Planning and Design Considerations.

Public Assistance (PA) Program and Policy Guide. April 2018. FEMA applies this Version 3.1 to incidents declared on or after August 23, 2017 or, with respect to the changes made in this version, any application for assistance that was pending before FEMA as of August 23, 2017 and has not been finally resolved as of January 1, 2018. This version supersedes Version 3.0 issued on January 2, 2018. On February 9, 2018, Congress passed and the President signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-123). Download the PAPPG_3.1_508_FINAL_5-4-2018.

Planning-Related Activities Using Hazard Mitigation Grant Program 7-Percent Funding. May 2018. To strengthen hazard mitigation across the country, FEMA supports a variety of planning-related activities through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). In addition to hazard mitigation planning grants, this funding is available for planning-related activities and provides flexibility to State, tribal and local governments to reduce risk and integrate hazard mitigation principles into planning for resilience. Download the Planning_Related_Activities_Fact_Sheet_508_Compliant_5-2-18.

Temporary Occupancy of Substantially Damaged Structures after a Disaster. April 2018. This fact sheet is designed to help Floodplain Administrators and Building Code Officials understand whether communities may allow displaced property owners to occupy potential or declared Substantially Damaged (SD) residential structures until the structure can be brought into compliance with local floodplain management ordinances or building codes. Download the FSTempOccupancySubstantiallyDamagedStructuresAfterDisaster508. For additional guidance on SD, see FEMA P-758 Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage Reference (2010).

Understanding Substantial Structural Damage in the International Existing Building Code. April 2017. This document will help you understand how the concept of Substantial Structural Damage (SSD) is used within the International Existing Building Code® (IEBC®). FEMA’s Public Assistance Required Minimum Standards Policy found in the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide, Chapter 2 – Section VII.B.2,1 (Policy) requires that projects receiving FEMA assistance for repair or replacement incorporate the natural hazards-related provisions of the most recent edition of the International Code Council’s® (ICC®) International Building Code® (IBC®), International Residential Code® (IRC®), and/or the IEBC. The policy applies to buildings that have sustained any level of damage (including, possibly, SSD or Substantial Damage), as well as projects involving new construction, such as improved projects, alternate projects, or projects eligible for replacement in accordance with 44 CFR, Part 206.226(f). The relevant code provisions include not only the design criteria for repair or replacement construction, but also those provisions that determine whether repair to the pre-damage condition is sufficient, or whether repair must be supplemented by improvement. Download the PA_Job-Aid-Understanding_SSD_International-rev.

Updated Comprehensive Preparedness Guide Released. May 2018. On May 31, FEMA released the updated Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 201 to reflect the changes in methodology for the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and the Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR), formerly the State Preparedness Report. The update includes both the THIRA and SPR because they are interconnected processes that, together, communities use to evaluate their preparedness. The updated methodology goes into effect this year.

The THIRA now includes standardized language to describe threat/hazard impacts and capability targets, and gives communities a structure to collect more specific, quantitative preparedness information while also providing important context. Through the updated SPR process, communities collect more detailed and actionable data on their current capabilities and identified gaps. They indicate their intended approaches for addressing those gaps and assess the impact of funding sources on building and sustaining capabilities,

FEMA is taking a phased approach to implementation of the updated methodology, beginning in 2018. In 2018, respondents will only need to address the response, recovery, and cross-cutting core capabilities in their THIRA/SPR. In 2019, respondents will be required to address all five mission areas. Beginning in 2019, jurisdictions will only need to submit a THIRA to FEMA once every three years.

All types of communities can complete the THIRA/SPR as a way to better understand the risks they face and make important decisions on how to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risks. While all communities can complete a THIRA/SPR if they choose, the THIRA/SPR is required among some communities. In addition to states and territories, Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP) recipients will now also be required to complete the SPR. The THIRA remains a requirement for states, territories, and UASI and THSGP recipients; however, THSGP recipients will only be required to complete the THIRA and SPR for some of the core capabilities. For more information, visit www.fema.gov/threat-and-hazard-identification-and-risk-assessment.

FEMA Releases Guide to Engaging Faith-Based and Community Organizations: Planning Considerations for Emergency Managers. June 18, 2018. FEMA and the DHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives released the guide on Engaging Faith-based and Community Organizations: Planning Considerations for Emergency Managers. Faith-based and community organizations offer a wide variety of human and material resources that can prove invaluable during and after an incident. This guide provides a methodology for emergency managers to engage with faith-based and community organizations in enhancing the resiliency of our nation. By identifying, engaging, and building partnerships with these groups, particularly those in racially, ethnically, economically, and religiously diverse communities, emergency managers can provide training and technical assistance to strengthen their skills, connect them with existing partners, and then integrate them into emergency management plans and exercises before an event occurs thus increasing response and recovery capability. This document also provides lists of resources available to help build relationships between emergency management and faith-based and community organizations. Download Engaging Faith-based and Community Organizations: Planning Considerations for Emergency Managers, visit https://www.fema.gov/plan.

For more mitigation resources and other publications, go to KAMM’s Mitigation Resources page.

Don’t forget to join the KAMM group on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Have questions, contact us at help@kymitigation.org.

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KAMM Updates