KAMM
Ky Association of Mitigation Managers

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

 

KAMM Membership for 2020!

Membership is based on the calendar year.  $25 for membership!

Join KAMM – link here.

 

2020 KAMM Virtual Conference

September 22 – 24 , 2020 Annual Conference

September 21, 2020 – Preconference Sessions and Workshops 

Link to the 2020 Conference page for updates and more information.  

 

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Announcing 2020 KAMM Mitigation Awards

KAMM is pleased to announce that it is receiving nominations from KAMM members for the 2020 KAMM Mitigation Awards! 

KAMM will recognize a Mitigation Manager of the Year and a Mitigation Project of the Year.  Do you know an individual, a representative of a community or agency, or a project that exemplifies mitigation?  If so, please nominate them for an award. 

Link to the KAMM Mitigation Awards weppage and Nominate for our two prestigious awards!  

 

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KAMM Regional Training Webinar Recap

Our July 22 Regional Training was a hit!  Thank you for attending. 

The Ins and Outs of the NFIP:  How to Navigate the Floodplain Management Program

While many people are aware that the NFIP exists and that permits are needed when developing in a floodplain, there are many accompanying factors to the floodplain management program that are not as well understood. 

This webinar presentation provided guidance to help answer NFIP questions such as: What is the NFIP, What are the floodplain requirements,  Do I need to be a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), How can I find information for an Elevation Certificate, What changes are happening to the NFIP, and more.

Link to the Regional Training Recap:  http://www.kymitigation.org/2020-kamm-regional-training-webinar-recap/

 

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Take the Survey – TMAC on Flood Hazard and Flood Risk Identification

The Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC) is a federal advisory committee established to review and make recommendations to FEMA on matters related to the national flood mapping program. 

The TMAC is seeking input regarding the future flood hazard and flood risk identification program.  Your input will be summarized and considered by TMAC as they support FEMA in considering the many ways to improve how flood hazard and risk information is generated and delivered.

Please take a moment out of your busy day to take the TMAC survey at https://bit.ly/3eQxBI5

Your valuable feedback may inform the program’s evolving products and services to best meet National Flood Insurance Program customer needs.

To learn more, visit: www.fema.gov/technical-mapping-advisory-council

 

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FEMA Announces Notice of Funding Opportunities for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants

August 4, 2020

FEMA posted funding notices for two hazard mitigation grant programs for more than $660 million.  The two grant programs, the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC, will provide funds to states, local communities, tribes and territories for eligible mitigation activates to strengthen our nation’s ability to build a culture of preparedness.  These programs allow for funding to be used on projects that will reduce future disaster losses.

The application period opens on September 30, 2020.  Eligible applicants must apply for funding using the new FEMA Grants Outcome (FEMA GO), which is now the management system for FMA and BRIC.  Please submit applications at FEMA Go Portal no later than 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 29, 2021. Applications received by FEMA after this deadline will not be considered for funding.

FEMA Webinars:  FEMA offers, and strongly encourages, applicants to participate in a series of informational webinars for interested applicants to provide an overview of the grant programs and details about the agency’s funding priorities and review process.  FEMA scheduled the first webinar for Tuesday, August 18 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. 

FEMA scheduled additional webinars for the new FEMA Grants Outcome (FEMA GO), which is now the management system for BRIC and FMA.  The development of FEMA GO is a multi-year effort to modernize and transform the way FEMA conducts grants management.  FEMA GO will streamline the process to apply for, track, and manage FEMA grants.

In September, FEMA will host two webinars on “Avoiding Application Pitfalls.”  

Registration information for all upcoming webinars will be provided soon.

Flood Mitigation Grants

The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 establishes the goal of reducing or eliminating National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims through long-term mitigation actions. For the FMA program, the agency’s predetermined funding priorities include flood mitigation planning and efforts for repetitive as well as severe repetitive loss properties.

In this application cycle, $160 million is available in FMA grant funds.  There is a set-aside of $70 million for community advance assistance and flood mitigation projects.

 

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Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grants

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) makes federal funds available through the new Building Resilient Infrastructures and Communities (BRIC) grant program to states, local communities, tribes and territories (SLTTs) for pre-disaster mitigation activities.  BRIC is a new FEMA pre-disaster hazard mitigation program that replaces the existing Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program. 

 The BRIC priorities are to:

• Incentivize public infrastructure projects;
• Incentivize projects that mitigate risk to one or more lifelines;
• Incentivize projects that incorporate nature-based solutions; and,
• Incentivize the adoptions and enforcement of modern building codes.

For More Information-Visit the fema.gov website:

• To view the NOFO; Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-20-MT-029-000-99
• Flood Mitigation Assistance
• Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities

 

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Hazard Mitigation Moving to FEMA’s New Grants Management System

Coming this Fall

FEMA’s new online grants management system will be operational this fall for hazard mitigation grant funding notices and awards. 

The system, called FEMA Grants Outcomes, or FEMA GO, is the result of a multi-year effort to modernize and transform the way FEMA conducts grants management.  The Federal Fiscal Year 2020 Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant programs will use the FEMA GO system.

FEMA has been closely collaborating with stakeholders who will apply for FEMA mitigation grants to test and validate system functionality prior to it being released in stages.  Using this approach allows the applicant community to provide feedback to system developers regarding features under development.

Once the application period opens on September 30, 2020, FEMA GO must be used to apply for funding through FMA or the new BRIC grant programs.  BRIC is replacing the existing Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) grant program.  The legacy FMA and PDM projects will continue to reside in eGrants.

FEMA has provided FEMA GO training to staff in its 10 regional offices, and to the offices of their respective state, local community, tribes and territories.  Additional training and readily accessible program support will be published on FEMA.gov as it becomes available. 

There will also be a FEMA GO Help Desk to offer support with creating and submitting FMA and BRIC grant applications.  For more information, visit www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/fema-go. 

 

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Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Webinar Recap

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) will support states, local communities, tribes and territories, as they undertake hazard mitigation projects reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. BRIC is a new FEMA pre-disaster hazard mitigation program that replaces the existing Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program and is a result of amendments made to Section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) by Section 1234 of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA).

Graphic Overview:  BRIC_Infographic_05212020_R 

Week 1: Introduction to Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Program

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Week 2: Meaning of the BRIC Name

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Week 3: BRIC and Building Codes

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Week 4: BRIC and Community Lifelines

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Week 5: BRIC and Nature-Based Solutions

Videos and Presentations:  Watch the video recordings and download copies of the presentations from the sessions, as they become available.

To learn more about Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), visit https://www.fema.gov/bric.

 

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Program Updates and Releases

New Flood Mapping Tool Helps Officials, Residents Manage Risk Near High-Hazard Dams

August  7, 2020

Online map shows nearly 17,000 homes and businesses within dam inundation zones

Gov. Andy Beshear and Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman today announced an online mapping tool that will provide important information to local officials and first responders for developing emergency response plans for high-hazard dams.

“It’s critical that we plan and prepare for emergencies, in addition to taking every step we can to prevent them from happening in the first place,” said Gov. Beshear.  “This new tool will help our local officials and heroic first responders better serve and protect Kentucky families and businesses.”

The interactive map on the Kentucky Water Maps Portal identifies the approximate area, or inundation zone, at each of the dams assessed that is expected to be impacted in the event of a dam failure. The online tool uses satellite imagery which identifies properties, roads and geographic areas that could potentially be impacted in relation to the established FEMA flood zone.  The assessment identified nearly 3,000 business structures and almost 14,000 residences within the Commonwealth’s high-hazard dam inundation zones.

Dam-related hazard classifications (low, significant, and high) are categorized not by their physical condition but by their potential to inundate residences and businesses in the event of a dam failure.  A dam is classified as “high-hazard” when there are residences, businesses and other structures within its inundation zone that could cause loss of life or serious damage to houses, industrial or commercial buildings, important public utilities, main highways or major railroads.

“This tool will help local officials and emergency responders make informed decisions related to planning and emergency response,” Secretary Goodman said.  “It gives dam owners and public officials an online tool that they’ve never had available to them.”

Carey Johnson, Division of Water (DOW) assistant director, said the tool is the first step of an outreach strategy to promote greater dam-related risk awareness among local officials and the public and to encourage potential actions to mitigate dam-related risks.

“Not only will the data give state and local officials in Kentucky up-to-date information about risks associated with high-hazard dams in their area, it will also give the public access to the information,” Johnson said.

For more information on the inundation mapping service or upcoming webinars, please contact Carey Johnson, carey.johnson@ky.gov.

 

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Check Out the New and Improved Grant Pages on FEMA.gov

July 30, 2020 

The redesigned FEMA.gov website launched, featuring a new way to display information about the agency’s grant programs. 

Check out www.FEMA.gov/grants. This redesign is an ongoing effort to make our site a valuable tool for our customers and stakeholders.

FEMA.gov has seen site traffic grow rapidly over the past two years with more than 80 million visits during that time frame.  FEMA prioritized making content easier to find and ensuring visitors have equal access and can find the right information at the right time.  This aligns with FEMA’s strategic goal to reduce the complexity of our agency and our programs.

Given the scale of FEMA’s web presence, this redesign will unfold over several months and we will continue to make improvements to how Mitigation Grants’ information is presented.

 

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New Data Analysis Service on Endangered Species Offered Free to Energy Developers

July 15, 2020 

The Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) announced a new partnership between the Office of Energy Policy (OEP) and the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves (KNP) to provide a free, data analysis service to energy developers. 

The Kentucky Biological Assessment Tool (KY-BAT), developed and maintained by KNP, provides information to help projects avoid and minimize potential impacts to sensitive plants, animals and natural communities. This partnership is an important link between endangered species and renewable energy.

KNP’s natural heritage database contains over 20,000 species and rare community site-specific records.  KNP track or monitor nearly 1,000 species and ecological communities, as well as natural areas throughout the state.”

By using this data, OEP will be able to identify ecologically sensitive areas and help site energy projects appropriately.    The KY-BAT project offered through this partnership provides data services at no cost, but it is limited to 20 projects on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Learn more about the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves.

For more information, or to submit a project for this free data service, please contact Kenya Stump, kenya.stump@ky.gov.

 

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Publications

Strengthening Medical Lifelines with Hazard Mitigation Fact Sheet

June 16, 2020

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide states, local communities, tribes and territories (SLTTs) with information on FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and how hazard mitigation projects can strengthen health care, medical, public health, and other critical facilities with hazard mitigation.  FEMA wants to ensure that these facilities can remain operational if impacted by floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, or other natural hazards.  

This fact sheet covers how FEMA can help, who is eligible, what activities are available under HMGP, and where SLTTs can go to get assistance.

Link to:  https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/188669.

 

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Hazard Mitigation Assistance Division Year In Review

June 17, 2020

The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Division is located in the Mitigation Directorate of the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration.  Their vision is to be a driver for resilience through partnerships and mitigation investments, and their mission is to design, build, and nurture high-performing teams that promote and deliver risk reduction programs.

This document provides an overview of the activities and accomplishments over the course of the year.  It also highlights success stories that demonstrate how the HMA Division advances the FEMA mission to building a culture of preparedness and ready the nation for catastrophic disaster through their grant programs.

Link to the HMA Year in Review

 

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Saving the Rain – 
Green Stormwater Solutions for Congregations

May 2020

Congregations can use this guide for help with constructing green stormwater management practices to enhance landscapes.  Using a stepwise approach, this guide walks readers through a comprehensive process:

• Educate the congregation
• Identify champions
• Organize working groups
• Partner with local governments
• Identify green infrastructure opportunities at their places of worship

The document includes information to help plan, design, and build as well as links to resources and tools for assessing and mapping areas to place green stormwater practices.

Download the green stormwater management practices guide.  

 

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FEMA Releases Fourth Version of the Public Assistance Policy and Program Guide

May 27, 2020

The fourth version of the Public Assistance Policy and Program Guide will go into effect on June 1, 2020. The latest version supersedes version 3.1 and will be applicable to incidents declared on or after June 1, 2020.   

The Public Assistance Policy and Program Guide is a comprehensive program resource that combines FEMA Public Assistance policy into a single volume and provides an overview of the program implementation process with links to other publications and documents that provide additional process details.

The Fourth Edition was released in draft form with a 45-day public comment period.  The FEMA Public Assistance program received and adjudicated more than 580 public comments while drafting the final version.

Updates to the guide includes, but are not limited to:

• Incorporation of the Public Assistance Alternative Procedures for Permanent Work Pilot Policy (FEMA Policy 104-009-7);
• Incorporation of the Public Assistance National Delivery Model process and procedures;
• Updates to administrative processes and eligibility of applicants, emergency work, permanent work, and cost; and,
• Incorporation and subsequent supersession of various policies, job aids, and fact sheets.

FEMA makes updates to the guide on an annual basis when necessary and conducts a comprehensive review no less than every three years.

If you have any questions regarding this FEMA Advisory, please contact FEMA Office of External Affairs, Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division:

• Congressional Affairs at (202) 646-4500 or at FEMA-Congressional-Affairs@fema.dhs.gov
• Intergovernmental Affairs at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov
• Private Sector Engagement at (202) 646-3444 or at nbeoc@max.gov

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FEMA Advisory: Disaster Financial Management Guide

April 16, 2020

FEMA released the “Disaster Financial Management Guide” to support jurisdictions in establishing and implementing sound disaster financial management practices, which are critical for successful response and recovery.  The guide takes an all-hazards approach and addresses a broad range of issues and contains concepts, principles and resources applicable to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic response environment.

All jurisdictions, regardless of size, need to develop and implement disaster financial management considerations and practices to track, calculate and justify the costs of an emergency; support local reimbursement reconciliation; avoid de-obligation of grant funding; and effectively fund and implement recovery projects and priorities.

The Disaster Financial Management Guide identifies the capabilities and activities necessary to prepare and successfully implement disaster financial management while maintaining fiscal responsibility throughout response and recovery operations.  This includes considerations and practices necessary to track, calculate and justify the costs of an emergency; support local reimbursement reconciliation; avoid de-obligation of grant funding; and effectively fund and implement recovery projects and priorities.  Fiscal and grant regulations are strict and apply to all jurisdictions, so it is imperative that jurisdictions have robust scalable, flexible and adaptable disaster financial management plans and processes in place pre-disaster for all types of incidents.

To view the guide and other information, visit https://www.fema.gov/plan.

 

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NFIP Technical Bulletins 1 & 5

March 23, 2020

The NFIP Technical Bulletins provide guidance for complying with the NFIP’s building performance requirements and are designed to help state and local officials interpret the NFIP Regulations.  They are also a useful resource and reference for homeowners, insurance agents, building professionals and designers.

FEMA is updating the NFIP Technical Bulletins to improve their usability, credibility, and content while presenting them in a streamlined format.  Technical Bulletins 1 & 5 were last updated more than 10 years ago.  These updated editions incorporate the latest relevant codes and standards and state-of-the-art guidance and best practices.  They were developed with significant stakeholder input to help local officials meet or exceed relevant NFIP requirements.

Technical Bulletin 1, Requirements for Flood Openings in Foundation Walls and Walls of Enclosures (TB 1)

TB1 explains the NFIP requirements for flood openings in exterior walls and walls of enclosures below elevated buildings.  Flood openings equalize flood forces by allowing the entry and exit of floodwaters.  This Technical Bulletin describes two options for satisfying the requirements, referred to as engineered openings and non-engineered openings.  In addition to illustrating enclosures that require openings and those that do not, TB 1 covers the requirements and guidance for installation of openings.  Updates include:

• New tables comparing NFIP opening requirements with related building code requirements;
• Guidance on unusual configurations such as sloping sites, multiple enclosed areas, large enclosed areas, and sites with shallow flooding;
• New guidance on above-grade enclosed areas and two-level enclosures;
• Expanded discussion on completing the FEMA Elevation Certificate (EC) and documentation for certification of engineered openings.

Technical Bulletin 5, Free-of-Obstruction Requirements (TB 5)

TB5 describes methods for avoiding potential building and site obstructions that could divert or obstruct floodwater and waves below elevated buildings which could impose additional flood loads on foundation systems or adjacent buildings. Updates include:

• New tables comparing NFIP free of obstruction requirements with related building code requirements;
• New guidance on enclosed areas below elevated buildings, including louvers/lattice, above-grade enclosures, and two-level enclosures;
• Revised guidance of below-base flood elevation building elements including mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment, ducts, tanks and fixtures and others;
• Revised guidance of site development practices such as accessory storage structures, the use of fill and others.

For more information on FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program’s Technical Bulletins, visit: https://www.fema.gov/nfip-technical-bulletins

 

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FEMA P-530, Earthquake Safety at Home

March 2, 2020

Half of all Americans live in areas subject to earthquake risk, and most Americans will travel to seismically active regions in their lifetime.  FEMA is fostering awareness of earthquake risks in the United States through the newly developed FEMA P-530, Earthquake Safety at Home. Get your copy today for free by click here.

This publication is intended to show readers why earthquakes matter where they live, and how they can “Prepare, Protect, Survive, Respond, Recover and Repair” from an earthquake.  This publication will help readers become familiar with why and where earthquakes might occur.  It discusses wide-ranging steps that readers can take to adequately prepare and protect themselves, their family, and their belongings.  These include: developing family response plans, assembling earthquake disaster supplies, securing heavy objects and furniture, retrofitting a home, and more.

During and immediately after an earthquake, guidelines for action can help keep victims safe.  The Respond section of this publication includes a post-earthquake Home Safety Checklist that can assist users in checking the safety of their home before reoccupying it.  This publication also provides recommendations for post-earthquake recovery and repair that can help individuals and families resume regular activities as quickly as possible.

 

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FEMA Announces National Mitigation Investment Strategy

August 13, 2019

FEMA, in close coordination with experts across governmental agencies, academia and non-governmental organizations, released the National Mitigation Investment Strategy.  The strategy is intended to improve the coordination and effectiveness of mitigation investments, defined as risk management actions taken to avoid, reduce or transfer risks from natural hazards.  The Investment Strategy’s overarching goal is to improve the coordination and effectiveness of “mitigation investments,” defined as risk management actions taken to avoid, reduce, or transfer risks from natural hazards, including severe weather.

This document provides a national, whole-community approach to investments in mitigation activities and risk management across federal, state, local, and tribal and territorial governments, as well as the private and non-profit sectors.  Recommendations proposed in the strategy will reduce loss of life and injures, damage to property, and negative impacts to the economy and the environment, and lead the whole community in building a more resilient future.

Below are recent examples of EPA’s continued dedication and investment in mitigation strategies across the country.

• Regional Resilience Technical Assistance – After helping three California regions take large-scale action for disaster resilience, EPA and FEMA partnered with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission/Association of Bay Area Governments to create a toolkit that helps regions plan for disasters by working across multiple jurisdictions and with non-governmental partners.  The Regional Resilience Toolkit provides a step-by-step process to help decision makers engage with partners and stakeholders, conduct vulnerability assessments, identify and prioritize strategies, fund projects, and evaluate results. 
• Integrating Water Quality and Nature-Based Approaches into Hazard Mitigation Plans – EPA’s Office of Water and Office of Community Revitalization are partnering with FEMA to help states and communities integrate hazard mitigation plans and water quality plans.  Project locations include: Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Albany, New York; Huntington, West Virginia; Ashland, Oregon; State of Kentucky; Lower Meramec Valley, Missouri; Denton, Texas; Phoenix/Maricopa County, Arizona; and Mystic River in Massachusetts.  Results, to date, demonstrate the benefits of using green infrastructure for multiple community goals including hazard mitigation, water quality, and floodplain management.  Several of the communities are already seeing reduced flood insurance rates based on adoption of stormwater policies that reduce risk. 
• Building Flood Resilience in Vermont – In 2011, Tropical Storm Irene caused significant flood damage to historic structures, homes and businesses in Vermont’s Mad River Valley.  In 2012 at Vermont’s request, EPA partnered with FEMA to identify state and local policy options to increase community flood resilience.  The state adopted several of the strategies that emerged from the workshop.  The project developed a Flood Resilience Checklist that communities can use to assess their preparedness for future flooding events. The state provided this checklist to several other Vermont communities through a follow up project, the Vermont Economic Resiliency Initiative, and the checklist is the basis for the Flood Resilience for Riverine and Coastal Communities tool offered by EPA’s Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program.

News Worthy of Repeating 

Mitigation Matters!  

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

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

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