KAMM Updates

Please note that our website is undergoing some redesign work, so please let us know if there is missing content that you need access to or if you are having difficulty locating anything!

Contact us at help@kymitigation.org.


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

Link to our Quick Links.

Contact us if you have questions or want to join our newsletter e-mail list help@kymitigation.org.


Join KAMM – 2024

KAMM offers three membership levels: Individual ($25), Student ($10); and Agency/Organization ($250). Membership is based on the calendar year (January 1 – December 31). Memberships paid after October 1 will be credited to the following year.

Link to Join KAMM.  Pay by Check or by Credit Card.


KAMM 2023-2025 Board of Directors

Chair: Joe Sullivan
Vice Chair: Angela Herndon
Secretary: Matt Crawford
Treasurer: Kevin Miller
At-Large Representative: Alex VanPelt
Region I Representative: Terry “Moose” Massey
Region II Representative: Meghan Brown
Region III Representative: Mario Sebastiani
Region IV Representative: Shanda Cecil
Past Chair: Geni Jo Brawner
Chair Emeritus: Carey Johnson

Executive Director: Esther White

 

The new KAMM Board of Directors met at Cumberland Falls State Park November 30 – December 1 for the annual planning meeting. 2024 promises to be a great year for KAMM with Regional Trainings across the Commonwealth in March, our 20th Annual Conference in September, and more!

Geni Jo, Joe, Shanda, Angela, Esther, Mario, Matt, Meghan, & Moose


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024 Regional Trainings — Save the Dates

 

March 5  — Region III
March 12 — Region II
March 19 — Region IV
March 26 — Region I

 

More information will be posted in early 2024 — check back for details.


2024 Annual Conference — Save the Date

 

September 16th — Pre-Conference Day
September 17th – 19th — Annual Conference

Owensboro Convention Center
Owensboro KY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 Purchase your KAMM swag at the KAMM eStore!


 

 

NEWS

Infrastructure Funding Solutions: Exploring WIFIA and SRF Programs

Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST 

Description: Ask the experts! Join us to learn more about US EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program and State Revolving Funds (SRFs). The WIFIA and SRF programs accelerate investment in our nation’s water infrastructure by providing low-cost (or below market rate) financing to help utilities solve their water infrastructure challenges.

In this webinar, experts from the US EPA will discuss the WIFIA program, SRF funding, and how the two can work together. Following the overview, attendees can engage in an interactive Q&A session to ask EPA experts any questions they may have about the programs.

Presenters: Dallas Shattuck, Senior Program Manager for the WIFIA Program and Brad Raszewski, Financial Analyst, US Environmental Protection Agency

Who Should Attend:

  • Managers, owners, and operators of water systems serving less than 10,000 people, or wastewater systems with an average daily flow of less than 1 million gallons
  • Decision-makers for water and wastewater utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks
  • Consultants and technical assistance providers serving water and wastewater systems
    Register Now!

Grants available to help people in rural KY repair homes damaged in 2022

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Dr. Tom Carew recently announced the availability of grants to help people repair their homes that were damaged by historic flooding and other destructive weather in 2022.

The homes must be located in Presidentially declared disaster areas and must have sustained damage caused by the declared disaster. People living in 26 Kentucky counties are eligible for the funding.

The grants are being made available through supplemental disaster funding under the Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program. Through this program, people may apply to receive grants of up to $40,675 directly from USDA to repair their homes.

Learn more about how the funds may be used, eligibility requirements, and eligible counties at the full news release.

For more information on how to apply, contact Rural Development Kentucky’s Single-Family Housing team at 859-224-7322 or visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-page/kentucky-contacts to find your local Rural Development office.


USDA Community Facilities Disaster Repair Grants

This program provides grants to repair essential community facilities in rural areas that were damaged by Presidentially Declared Disasters in Calendar Year 2022. Applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted.


DOW LOMR Review

Starting on January 1, the Division of Water (DOW) will be a LOMR Review Partner with FEMA. 

The LOMR Review Program delegates select agencies across the country the responsibility of performing the technical review function for Letters of Map Revision (LOMRs) and Conditional Letters of Map Revision (CLOMRs) in their local community on behalf of FEMA.  To date, there are only a few other agencies across the country who have been selected to participate.

This LOMR Review is a great opportunity for Kentucky as it allows us to connect our mapping efforts (Risk MAP updates) with our floodplain management (Permitting).  With LOMR Review, the DOW management team is now able to ensure that permits that require LOMRs upon completion are submitted so that the maps can be updated to reflect the changes that were made.  This in turn will help keep KY floodplain maps up to date as we go along, allowing you as the local floodplain managers to make decisions with the best available maps.  Additionally, this also will allow property owners, developers, and communities to interact with DOW and their mapping partners on LOMRs, rather than with FEMA, helping to ensure that this process is smooth and easy for everyone.

One thing to note with this is that it applies ONLY to LOMRs and CLOMRs.  Other map change requests such as Physical Map Revisions (PMRs), Letters of Map Amendment (LOMAs), and Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-Fs) will continue to be reviewed by FEMA.


Disaster Management for Public Service

Registration for the January 10th & 11th, 2024 Texas A&M Engineering Extension – Disaster Management for Public Service course is now open. This is a rare opportunity to attend the class in Louisville (at no cost).  If you are interested, please sign up at your earliest convenience and let Meghan Brown (contact info below) know when you have registered. This training reviews macro-level threats. It incorporates Incident Command Structure and allows for an opportunity to engage with regional peers, those who would likely experience or aid in response to a widespread disaster.  Feel free to share this training with industry peers.  Note- WW License Credits are being explored for this course.  This is one of the 4 required courses for a Certificate in Disaster Management.  

Disaster Management for Public Services   MGT-316  (16 hours).     
Location: Louisville Water Company   550 South 3rd Street.

                Register here:   https://teex.org/class/MGT317/

For more information, contact:

Meghan Brown, CFM, GISP 
Emergency Preparedness and Operational Resiliency Administrator – Operations
P 502.540.6997 
C: 502-260-5627

meghan.brown@louisvillemsd.org


Florida Floodplain Managers Association Hiring Director of Operations

The Florida ASFPM Chapter is hiring a full-time, remote, Director of Operations. All the job information, including compensation and duties, is available at the RFP link FLfloods.org/DirOps.


FEMA Publishes Resources for Developing BRIC and FMA Grant Applications

FEMA made $1.8 billion available in funding for the fiscal year (FY) 2023 Building Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant programs. The BRIC funding level will be $1 billion, and the FMA funding level will be $800 million. The application period is open from Oct. 16, 2023, through Feb. 29, 2024.  

Watch recordings and download presentations of the recently held BRIC and FMA Fiscal Year 2023 Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) webinar series that includes an overview of the NOFO for tribes and Avoiding Application Pitfalls and Best Practices. Please scroll down to the section entitled Webinar Recorded Schedule

Additional BRIC Program Subapplication Development Resources 

The BRIC Direct Technical Assistance webinar provides a program overview and case studies of communities that have participated in BRIC DTA.  

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Building Code Plus-Up On-Demand Video: For fiscal year 2023, the BRIC program is offering “plus up” funds for communities that incorporate eligible building code activities to proposed mitigation projects and planning; and gives points to communities that factor building code adoption into projects. 

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Competition Criteria On-Demand Video: This is an overview of the competition criteria for applying to the BRIC grant program. Topics covered include Background on the Building Resilient Infrastructure and communities Grant Program, Technical Evaluation Criteria Scoring, and Qualitative Evaluation Criteria Scoring. 

BRIC Program Support Materials (PSMs) can aid in the development of successful grant applications. These materials review topics such as hazard mitigation planning activities; partnership activities; and project scoping. They also discuss the types of projects and activities that are eligible for funding and or non-financial direct technical assistance.  

Additional FMA Program Subapplication Development Resources 

The FMA webinar Examples of Localized Flood Risk Reduction Projects provides an overview of the benefiting area maps, highlight funded projects, and discusses application pitfalls and best practices.  

FMA Program Support Materials (PSMs) can aid in the development of successful grant applications by providing information about a variety of topics, including: capability and capacity building activities; localized flood risk reduction projects; individual flood mitigation projects, and geospatial file requirements. 


The Commonwealth’s deadlines for the FY23 BRIC and FMA application cycle are as follows:

Application period opens – October 16, 2023
Pre-application due to State Hazard Mitigation Officer – November 3, 2023
BCA data due to state grant manager – November 27, 2023
BCAs completed – December 8, 2023
First draft submitted to grant manager for review – December 15,2023
Final application submitted to state for final review – January 26, 2024
KYEM submits applications to FEMA – February 23,2024
Application period closes – February 29,2024

For more information, contact State Hazard Mitigation Officer Geni Jo Brawner: geneva.j.brawner.nfg@army.mil


 

FEMA Webinar Will Discuss How its Grant Equity Threshold Tool (GETT) Helps Build Better Grant Applications

Please join us for a webinar focusing on FEMA’s newly-developed Grant Equity Threshold Tool (GETT)! The GETT is free to access, publicly available and has been specifically designed to support grant applicants in providing important community information that can augment their grant applications. 

The GETT provides important information regarding community populations in Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) Disadvantaged communities, FEMA’s Community Disaster Resilience Zones (CDRZs) and FEMA’s Community Resilience Challenges Index (CRCI) communities. 

This webinar will also focus on FEMA’s Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT), which provides important demographic, hazard and infrastructure information that can also be used to enhance grant applications. With over 100 pre-loaded data layers and easy to use analysis tools, RAPT helps everyone understand and support their community before, during and after a disaster.

Learn how GETT and RAPT can support grant applicants by providing important community information for their grant applications!

Register for the webinar on Weds., Dec. 6, 2023, from 2-3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Register for the webinar on Thurs., Jan. 11, 2024, from 2-3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. 

Register for the webinar on Tues., Jan. 30, 2024, from 2-3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.


FEMA Elevation Certificate – Reminder

FEMA released the new Elevation Certificate (FF-206-FY22-152) on July 7, 2023 and subsequently said the previous form could be used until November 1, 2023. We’d like to remind all CRS communities that any Elevation Certificate submitted for review dated November 1, 2023 or after must be on the new form.

Also, the new Dry Floodproofing Certificate for Non-Residential Structures was released on July 7th and must be used as of November 1, 2023 as well. Copies of these forms can be accessed via FEMA’s Underwriting Forms webpage:  https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance/find-form/underwriting. To access the forms, please copy the link to a folder on your computer and open it from there. You must have Adobe software to open it.

If you have any questions about the use of these forms, please contact your CRS Resource Specialist or your ISO/CRS Specialist.

Download forms at the links below:

EC Correction Form

CRS EC Checklist

CRS Required Fields

Form 152

Form 153


Updates to 2 CFR: Build America, Buy America Act

 The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has revised its guidance in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR) to add a new part 184 and revise 2 CFR § 200.322. The new part 184 provides guidance to federal agencies on how to apply the domestic content procurement preference as set forth in the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) to federal financial assistance for infrastructure projects.

This new part 184 includes:

Definitions for key terms, including iron or steel products, manufactured products, construction materials, and materials identified in section 70917(c) of BABAA;
Guidance for determining the cost of components of manufactured products; and
Guidance on proposing and issuing Buy America waivers.

The revised provision in 2 CFR § 200.322 specifies that federal agencies providing federal financial assistance for infrastructure projects must implement the BABAA requirements set forth in 2 CFR part 184.

OMB has also issued OMB Memorandum M-24-02, Implementation Guidance on Application of Buy America Preference in Federal Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure, to replace OMB Memorandum M–22–11, Initial Implementation Guidance on Application of Buy America Preference in Federal Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure. The updates in OMB Memorandum M-24-02 remove direct conflicts between OMB Memorandum M–22–11 and the revised guidance in 2 CFR Part 184.

Effective Date of this Part:

The new part 184 and the revisions at 2 CFR § 200.322 are effective for infrastructure projects under subject FEMA awards issued on or after Oct. 23, 2023. The effective date of OMB Memorandum M-24-02 is also Oct. 23, 2023.

Subject FEMA awards issued from Jan. 2, 2023, through Oct. 22, 2023, will continue to follow the guidance outlined in OMB Memorandum M-22-11.

Additional Resources:

For additional information on the BABAA requirements, please visit “Buy America” Preference in FEMA Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure | FEMA.gov.

Note: Not all FEMA financial assistance programs are subject to BABAA. Currently the disaster financial assistance programs not subject to the requirements include, but are not limited to, the Public Assistance Program (PA), Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Individual Assistance (IA), and Fire Mitigation Assistance Grant (FMAG) programs. For a full list of FEMA programs not subject to BABAA, please visit- Programs and Definitions: Build America, Buy America Act | FEMA.gov.


2024 National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar Update

The 31st annual National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar (NDSPTS) is a two-day seminar held annually that brings dam safety professionals from across the nation together. This year’s NDSPTS has been scheduled for Feb. 13-14, 2024.

The seminar will be hosted at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute training facilities in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The theme for this year’s seminar is “Dam Safety 101: Design, Analysis, Construction, and Risk Management.” 

IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION: When you register to attend the seminar, you will be asked to place a supervisor’s information for approval into the application. For this section, please list Tim Bush. Email: timothy.bush@fema.dhs.gov Phone: 256-454- 5865.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you already registered and haven’t received a confirmation email, please take a moment to register again and verify that you have received confirmation to attend the NDSPTS.  


 

SIGN UP FOR KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE KAMM COMMUNITY MITIGATION GRANT FUND!

We are excited to be partnering with Kroger to raise funds for our community grant fund! When you enroll in the Kroger Community Rewards program and select Kentucky Association of Mitigation Managers as your organization, each purchase you make using your Kroger Rewards card will make a contribution toward KAMM’s Community Mitigation Grant Fund.

Visit http://www.kroger.com to get started(or use the QR code here).

Once you have logged into your Kroger account,
select Community Rewards from the left page menu. Search for Kentucky Association of Mitigation Managers either by name or XF099 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.

Participants must swipe their registered Kroger rewards card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger rewards card when shopping for each purchase to count.

Let’s raise money together to help communities across the Commonwealth grow stronger!


 

NEWS FROM KAMM PARTNERS


Join the Kentucky Emergency Management Association (KEMA) or renew. 

Memberships are available as Individual, Group, Associate, and Corporate.

You can register and pay online or you can print the invoice and mail in your payment.   We encourage everyone to join and be a part of our association.  We also encourage our associate and cooperate partners to join as well.  The associate membership is for individuals interested in emergency management but is not otherwise affiliated with an emergency management program. Memberships are based on the January-to-December calendar year.

Corporate membership is for an individual representing a business or organization whose interests include emergency management. Memberships are based on the January-to-December calendar year. 

For more information about the Kentucky Emergency Management Association (KEMA) click the links below.

 KEMA: https://kyema.org/

 JOIN KEMA:  https://kyema.org/content.aspx?page_id=60&club_id=786250


 Educational Opportunities


 

Whole Community Emergency Management Planning (AWR-330) course

Campbell County Office of Emergency Management is hosting the Whole Community Emergency Management Planning (AWR-330) course  in Campbell County on July 30th, 2024. This course is offered only twelve (12) times this year across the U.S. so we are very fortunate to have it delivered here in Northern Kentucky.

Through guided discussions, individual and group activities, the AWR-330 Whole Community Emergency Management Planning Course helps participants identify and better understand the stakeholders and resources within their communities.  Students will learn to develop strategies to better incorporate stakeholders into their emergency planning process, with a goal of increasing individual, community, and national resilience to all hazards.

This training is delivered by National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC), Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), Texas A&M University member of National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC).

This course is 6 hours (1 day). Registration opens at 7:30 AM, class starts at 8:00 AM.

You can register online at:   https://tinyurl.com/vam2pm6x

Also, remember you are now required to have a FEMA Student Identification (SID) number to attend any homeland security training in person or online.  The SID number takes the place of your social security number.  Below is a link to the FEMA website to obtain the SID number if you do not already have one.  The whole process should not take more than three minutes. 

https://cdp.dhs.gov/FEMASID


 

FEMA Releases Planning Considerations for Cyber Incidents: Guidance for Emergency Managers

FEMA is releasing “Planning Considerations for Cyber Incidents: Guidance for Emergency Managers.” Developed in coordination with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), this document provides state, local, tribal and territorial emergency managers with foundational knowledge of cyber incidents to increase cyber preparedness efforts in their jurisdictions.

Key aspects of cyber incident preparedness included in the document are:

  • Understanding the types of cyber incidents likely to occur;
  • Engaging service owners and operators;
  • Identifying cyber dependent critical services and related dependencies;
  • Prioritizing and planning for service and system disruptions;
  • Identifying roles and responsibilities;
  • Providing integrated communication and public messaging; and
  • Developing a cyber incident response plan.

FEMA, in cooperation with CISA, will host several 60-minute webinars to provide an overview of the guide and supporting materials.

To download guide and supporting materials, and learn more about the webinar sessions, please visit the FEMA website at https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/plan.


National Mitigation Planning Program Webinar Series: From Policy to Action

Thank you to everyone who attended the “Planning for Equitable Mitigation” webinar on Sept. 14! This was the second webinar in the “From Policy to Action” series hosted by FEMA’s National Mitigation Planning Program.

A recording of the webinar is now available.

Our next webinar on “Partnerships in Planning for Coastal Resilience” is scheduled for Dec. 14, 1 – 2 p.m. ET.  Register here today

Stay tuned for more “From Policy to Action” webinars.  Sign up here to learn more about our future webinars. Be sure to check “Mitigation Planning” under “Mitigation” and “Risk Analysis Branch”!

Do you have any questions?

Email fema-mitigation-planning@fema.dhs.gov.


Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Awareness (AWR-213) course

Campbell County, March 12, 2024

This course will introduce participants to the key terms, policy, guidance, and preparedness efforts required to safeguard the Nation’s critical infrastructure. Participants will discuss the risk management framework, describe Federal critical infrastructure security and resilience and information sharing programs, and relate critical infrastructure programs to individual actions. Focus will be placed on local preparedness efforts as they relate to the national approach to critical infrastructure security and resilience, enabling stakeholders to address local planning within a common framework. Informed planning is consistent with accepted emergency management standards as the basis for planning across the mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery.

This training is delivered by National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC), Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), Texas A&M University member of National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC).

This course is 8 hours (1 day). Registration opens at 7:30 AM, class starts at 8:00 AM.

You can register online at: https://tinyurl.com/v4arz683   

Also, remember you are now required to have a FEMA Student Identification (SID) number to attend any homeland security training in person or online.  The SID number takes the place of your social security number.  Below is a link to the FEMA website to obtain the SID number if you do not already have one.  The whole process should not take more than three minutes. 

https://cdp.dhs.gov/FEMASID

Check out our training calendar for more training https://tinyurl.com/j3we3vxn


Campbell County Office of Emergency Management, Upcoming Training Drone Assessment and Response Tactics (DART) course (AWR-407)

Drone Assessment and Response Tactics (DART) course (AWR-407): Campbell County, April 4th, 2024

This eight (8) hour DART course provides emergency personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to detect, identify, track, assess, respond, and report Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) activity.

Participants are presented with information on the current UAS criminal and terrorist threat, analog and electronic UAS detection techniques, and response tactics to address this threat.

This course includes performance-based field demonstrations and exercises where participants are presented with varying UAS types, their capabilities, and simulated UAS threats involving Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

This course is delivered by New Mexico Tech instructors. Course delivery and materials funding is provided by The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

PARTICIPANT CRITERIA:

Public Safety (specifically law enforcement and fire), HazMat Teams, EMS, Transportation Agencies, local emergency planners, pertinent federal and state agencies, and other community stakeholders.

This course is 8 hours (1 day). Registration opens at 7:30 AM, class starts at 8:00 AM.

You can register online at: https://tinyurl.com/2p9pzsj4

Also, remember you are now required to have a FEMA Student Identification (SID) number to attend any homeland security training in person or online.  The SID number takes the place of your social security number.  Below is a link to the FEMA website to obtain the SID number if you do not already have one.  The whole process should not take more than three minutes. 

FEMA SID site: https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid/register

Check out our training calendar for more training https://tinyurl.com/j3we3vxn


Physical and Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure (MGT 452) course

Campbell County, May 14, 2024

The national and economic security of the United States depends on the reliable functioning of critical infrastructure. This course encourages collaboration efforts among individuals and organizations responsible for both physical and cybersecurity toward development of integrated risk management strategies that lead to enhanced capabilities necessary for the protection of our Nation’s critical infrastructure. Participants will identify physical and cybersecurity concerns impacting overall infrastructure security posture, examine integrated physical and cybersecurity incidents and the evolving risks and impacts they pose to critical infrastructure, and explore resources that can be applied to improve security within an organization, business, or government entity.

This training is delivered by National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC), Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), Texas A&M University member of National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC).

This course is 8 hours (1 day). Registration opens at 7:30 AM, class starts at 8:00 AM.

You can register online at: https://tinyurl.com/5ffmajzp   

Also, remember you are now required to have a FEMA Student Identification (SID) number to attend any homeland security training in person or online.  The SID number takes the place of your social security number.  Below is a link to the FEMA website to obtain the SID number if you do not already have one.  The whole process should not take more than three minutes. 

https://cdp.dhs.gov/FEMASID

Check out our training calendar for more training https://tinyurl.com/j3we3vxn

If you have any questions, please contact the course host by e-mail to wturner@campbellcountyky.gov.


 

FEMA Substantial Damage Estimator Training Modules

When structures within the floodplain are damaged, NFIP communities have a responsibility to assess impacts before repairs can be made, no matter the cause of the damage. If the repair cost is 50% or more of the structure’s market value, the structure must be protected from future flood damages using the community’s local floodplain management standards (i.e. Flood Ordinance). Rebuilding to current standards decreases risk to life and property, and prevents future disaster suffering.

To help floodplain managers and other local officials with implementing these Substantial Damage reviews, FEMA has put together a set of training videos (modules) that walk you through the process. Some examples of the modules include SD Basics, Using the SDE Tool, Residential vs. Non-Residential SDEs, Field Inspections, and more.

Watch the Substantial Damage Estimator Trainings HERE.


EPA’s Watershed Academy has two exciting announcements to share!

New Learning Module – Nutrient Pollution

We are excited to announce that the Watershed Academy’s new Nutrient Pollution Module is now available.  

This module is intended to provide an overview of nutrient pollution and the associated water quality and human health impacts. This module covers the science behind the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus, the impacts of nutrient pollution on human health and the environment, the sources of nutrient pollution, and federal, state, tribal, and territory actions underway to mitigate nutrient pollution impacts. It also includes the current science on how climate change may impact nutrient pollution. Finally, the module covers the tools, opportunities, and activities available for the public to get involved in these issues. This module is eligible for the Watershed Management Training Certificate program.

Visit https://www.epa.gov/watershedacademy/nutrient-pollution-module to begin the course!

Webcast Recording – Addressing Nonpoint Source Pollution

The recording of EPA’s Watershed Academy webcast, “Addressing Nonpoint Source Pollution ” held on July 17th, 2023 is now available on EPA’s Watershed Academy webpage here: https://www.epa.gov/watershedacademy/addressing-nonpoint-source-pollution-through-epas-national-nonpoint-source-program.

Previous Watershed Academy webcasts are also available for viewing here: https://www.epa.gov/watershedacademy/watershed-academy-webcast-archives.


 

Pipeline Security (AWR-302) Course: January 2024

America’s pipeline system stretches across the country like the veins and arteries of the human body and much of this system crosses the rural environment. The pipeline system delivers two-thirds of the petroleum products and nearly all of the natural gas to the homes and businesses of the United States. The system includes 2.5 million miles of pipelines, operated by over three thousand companies. The pipelines carry not only petroleum products and natural gas, but also other hazardous liquid materials. The purpose of this awareness level, instructor led course is to bring together rural pipeline security stakeholders including public safety, oil and gas pipeline representatives (large and small), local emergency planners, pertinent federal agencies, and other community stakeholders to recognize pipeline security threats and identify mitigation strategies within their jurisdictions to ensure that the rural pipeline sector is secure, resilient. This course has been developed by The University of Findlay and is delivered in an instructor-led format.

PARTICIPANT CRITERIA:

Public Safety (specifically law enforcement and fire), HazMat Teams, EMS, Public Works, local emergency planners, pertinent federal and state agencies, and other community stakeholders.

This course is 8 hours (1 day). Registration opens at 7:30 AM, class starts at 8:00 AM.

You can register online at: https://tinyurl.com/2zvv7x4x  

Also, remember you are now required to have a FEMA Student Identification (SID) number to attend any homeland security training in person or online.  The SID number takes the place of your social security number.  Below is a link to the FEMA website to obtain the SID number if you do not already have one.  The whole process should not take more than three minutes. 

FEMA SID site: https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid/register


New Online NFIP 101: Introduction to Floodplain Management

Want to learn floodplain management basics? Don’t have the ability to attend a four-day training? Maybe you just want to brush up on one or two floodplain management topics?
In partnership with the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM), FEMA’s Floodplain Management Division is thrilled to announce that our new online, self-paced course NFIP 101: Introduction to Floodplain Management is live! The course is free and available to the general public. You may start, stop, and return to the course as your schedule permits, and you may take it as many times as you’d like. ASFPM is hosting the course and you can find it on their Training and Knowledge page under the “On-Demand Learning” heading, or link to NFIP101 (floods.org).

Two Ways to Use the Course:
Obtain a certificate of completion from FEMA’s Floodplain Management Division as well as 12 continuing education credits from ASFPM, both of which are earned after completing the course and passing the final exam.

As a reference guide on fundamental floodplain management concepts. No need to take the course all over again, just jump to the Chapter or Section you need a refresher on.

This course is intended for those just beginning a career in floodplain management.
It provides:

Local, state, tribal, territorial, and federal officials with the knowledge and skills to administer and enforce floodplain management regulations;

New floodplain administrators with information and communication techniques to explain the impact of floodplain management decisions on insurance, public safety, and health; and

An overview of NFIP minimum floodplain management regulations based on the types of flood hazards identified as well as Substantial Improvement (SI) and Substantial Damage (SD), and describes the use of a permitting process as a floodplain management oversight and compliance tool.

While the content of this course is congruent with EMI’s EL-0273: Managing Floodplain Development Through the NFIP, successful completion of this course does not confer credit from EMI. Interested parties should visit https://training.fema.gov/netc_online_admissions/  to inquire about in-person E-273 courses or reach out to their State Coordinators to inquire about the locally offered, in-person L-273 course. However, students need not choose between the in-person, classroom experience versus the online course. Both are useful, and can meet differing scheduling/topic needs.

Registration: https://www.floods.org/training-center/online-training/asfpm-on-demand-learning/nfip101/


New Hazard Mitigation Planning and Water Resource Management Module

We are excited to announce that the Watershed Academy’s new Hazard Mitigation Planning and Water Resource Management Module is now available.  

This module is intended for water quality and hazard mitigation professionals that are interested in integrating water quality issues and/or nature-based solutions into state or local Hazard Mitigation Plans (HMPs), and highlights the benefits of working across water quality and hazard mitigation programs. Modules in this series can be used as training tools to help planners from both worlds explore activities of mutual interest and benefit. Case studies and examples are provided to assist hazard mitigation planners with integrating water resource programs into HMPs and help watershed planners understand the synergies between water resource plans and HMPs.

Visit https://www.epa.gov/watershedacademy/hazard-mitigation-module  to begin the course!


Infrastructure Protection Certificate Program Certificate from Texas A&M (TEEX)

Campbell County Emergency Management will be offering all the required courses to obtain the Infrastructure Protection Certificate Program Certificate from Texas A&M (TEEX).  More information on this certificate program can be found at: https://teex.org/program/infrastructure-protection/

The Infrastructure Protection Certificate Program will enrich your knowledge of and skills in critical infrastructure security and resilience. You will gain a broad understanding of homeland security infrastructure protection doctrine through an in-depth examination of key concepts and practices in capabilities-based and community-focused planning, integrated risk management, private-public partnerships, and whole community resilience strategies.

Once all five courses have been completed, participants must complete the Infrastructure Protection Certificate Application and return the form to the TEEX Law Enforcement and Protective Services Excellence division to receive their certificate.

The Required Courses are:

Check out our training calendar for more training https://tinyurl.com/j3we3vxn


 

Barren River ADD TEEX Courses: Infrastructure Disaster Management Certificate

This program provides the emergency management community a deep dive into key sub-sectors of Critical Infrastructure.

MGT341 Disaster Preparedness for Healthcare Organizations

Link to the informational flyer with QR codes: TEEX Courses

12/13/23 – 12/14/23: MGT341 Disaster Preparedness for Healthcare Organizations

Register here

Contact Dajana Crockett for more information.
(270) 306-4061
dajana.crockett@bradd.org

Community Rating System Webinar Schedule

The CRS Webinar Series provides both live and on-demand training to communities.  The Series includes basic introductory sessions and more advanced topics, most averaging about an hour in length.

For dates and topic, link to CRS Training and Webinars

Link to https://crsresources.org/training/ to register.


Check out other Online Training

Link to Online Training.


 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

 


Kentucky NRCS Announces Application Date for ACEP-WRE

Lexington, KY, November 16, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Kentucky Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications from landowners interested in restoring, enhancing, and protecting wetlands with financial and technical assistance through the Wetlands Reserve Easement component of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP-WRE).  While applications for ACEP-WRE are taken on a continuous basis, the deadline to be considered for Fiscal Year 2024 funding is December 29, 2023.

Wetland Reserve Easements can provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and other wetland dependent wildlife, including threatened and endangered species; improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals; reduce flooding; recharge groundwater; protect biological diversity; provide resilience to climate change; and provide opportunities for educational, scientific, and limited recreational activities.

Many of Kentucky’s private landowners can take advantage of this program, as eligible lands include farmed or converted wetlands that can successfully be restored; croplands or grasslands subject to flooding; and previously restored wetlands and riparian areas that connect protected wetland areas.

WRE enrollment options include permanent easements, 30-year easements, and 30-year contracts.  NRCS staff are available to help landowners plan and implement individual projects.  The agency will pay a percent of the purchase value as well as restoration costs for each easement option. 

To learn more about other technical and financial assistance available through NRCS conservation programs, visit Get Started with NRCS or contact your local USDA Service Center.


FEMA Announces Nearly $2 Billion in Available Funding to Increase Climate Resilience Nationwide

FEMA is making $1.8 billion available for two grant programs designed to help communities increase their resilience to the impacts of climate change, including increasingly frequent and extreme weather events.

The  Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) annual grant  program is making $1 billion available for projects that protect people and infrastructure from natural hazards and the effects of climate change. The Flood Mitigation Assistance program is making $800 million available for projects that mitigate flood risks facing homes and communities across the nation. The funding for these two programs has been greatly increased thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and this year, the landmark legislation will contribute over $1 billion to these critical climate infrastructure and resilience programs.

As part of the Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, the BRIC and Flood Mitigation Assistance programs aim to deliver 40% of their overall benefits to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, overburdened by pollution, and underserved.

FEMA is also providing additional financial and technical support to help overburdened and underserved communities build resilience. This includes cost share adjustments and help with completing a Benefit-Cost Analysis for certain communities.

The agency is also expanding BRIC Direct Technical Assistance with a goal to add at least 80 more communities to the current 74 local jurisdictions nationwide.

The application period opens on Oct. 16, 2023. Eligible applicants must apply for funding using FEMA Grants Outcomes, FEMA’s grants management system. Applications must be submitted in the portal no later than 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 29, 2024. FEMA will not consider applications after this deadline. The application deadlines are for applicants only. Local governments should consult with their state, tribal or territorial agency to confirm deadlines to submit subapplications.

FEMA has planned three live webinars for governments to learn more about preparing applications and will be producing on-demand videos on subjects like technical and qualitative criteria, application pitfalls and building codes.

Visit FEMA.gov for more information about Hazard Mitigation Assistance.


Division of Water announces funding available for projects that clean up polluted streams, rivers, lakes, and groundwater

Grant funding is available through the Energy and Environment Cabinet for projects that help clean up polluted streams, rivers, lakes, and groundwater, and for projects that protect water resources. Funds are provided through the EPA’s Nonpoint Source Program, and are distributed to states to support best management practices. 

“Nonpoint source pollution, also known as runoff pollution, is the number one contributor to water pollution in Kentucky,” said Joanna Ashford, manager of the division’s Watershed Management Branch. “The grants can be used for watershed restoration projects, watershed plan development, and other projects that reduce and prevent runoff pollution.”

These funds can pay for up to 60 percent of the total cost for each project with a required 40 percent non-federal match. The division gives priority to projects that develop and implement watershed plans for impaired waters, source water protection areas, and special-use waters such as cold water aquatic habitat, state wild rivers and federal wild and scenic rivers with identified threats.

To determine stream designations in your area, visit The Kentucky Watershed Explorer.

Letters of intent to apply are optional but highly recommended and are due November 17, 2023. Project application forms must be submitted no later than February 9, 2024.  Division of Water staff will review the project applications and rank them according to eligibility and priority criteria.

A variety of organizations, from federal, state and local governments, to utilities, conservation districts, universities, and nonprofits are candidates for funding. To determine if your organization is eligible and to obtain the letter of intent form and other supporting documents, please visit the grant funding program page.

For more information, contact Michaela Lambert at 502-782-5282 or michaela.lambert@ky.gov.


FEMA announces $211 million in funding opportunities for Dam Safety Programs

On November 6, FEMA released two funding opportunities for the National Dam Safety Program. The total funding for the Rehabilitation of the High Hazard Potential Dams program and the National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is approximately $211 million.

For convenience, we have included the direct links to each funding opportunity.

Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams Grant: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/350857

National Dam Safety Program State Assistance Grant: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/350858


Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams Grant

The Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) program provides technical, planning, design, and construction assistance in the form of grants for the rehabilitation of eligible high hazard potential dams. Applicants must be eligible, and eligible subrecipients are non-federal governments and non-profit organizations. This grant program is authorized and funded by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act.

For FY 2024 Fall funding opportunity, FEMA allocated around $185 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for this grant cycle.

Eligible high hazard potential dams are defined as non-federal dams:

  • Located in a state or territory with a dam safety program
  • Classified as high hazard potential by the dam safety agency in the state or territory where the dam is located
  • With a current, approved emergency action plan by the state or territorial dam safety agency
  • Failing to meet minimum dam safety standards of the state or territory or poses an unacceptable risk to the public

In a state or territory with an enacted dam safety program, the State Administrative Agency, or an equivalent state agency, is eligible to apply for the HHPD grant.  Each eligible state may submit only one HHPD grant application.

Table 1: Funding available for Fiscal Year 2024 Fall HHPD Grant

FEMA Dam Safety Program

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dam

Approximately $185 million

 

 

HHPD actions


Figure 1: Actions required for the Rehabilitation of a High Hazard Potential Dams Grant Program

You are encouraged to apply if you meet all requirements stated within the Notice of Funding Opportunity announcements posted on Grants.gov.  Questions regarding these funding opportunities can be sent to FEMA-NDSP@fema.dhs.gov.


National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant

Another approximately $26 million is available through the National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program to establish and maintain effective state programs to ensure dam safety and protect human life and property. For FY2024 Fall funding opportunity, grants come from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

In a state or territory with an enacted dam safety program, the state administrative agency or an equivalent state agency is eligible to apply. Each eligible state may submit only one grant application. Eligible applicants are encouraged to review the funding opportunities notices on Grants.gov and apply by the deadline on February 29, 2024.

Table 2: Funding available for the Fiscal Year 2024 Fall SA Grant

FEMA Dam Safety Program

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant

$26 million

For more information about the National Dam Safety Program, including information about these two dam safety programs, visit this FEMA webpage.

 

 

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One Percent Loan Program for Distressed Communities

USDA Rural Utilities Service has received funding for a new One Percent Loan program to help distressed communities. The One Percent Loan program provides an additional tool in our Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant program to maximize the investments from Congress and reduce the reliance on grant funding, while having a positive or neutral fiscal impact on distressed communities receiving assistance.

Funding is available now to help you build, expand, and repair your community’s drinking water, wastewater, storm water drainage, and sanitary solid waste disposal systems. Program highlights include:

  • One percent loan financing can be combined with grants to keep user costs reasonable.
  • Long loan terms are available with typical projects financed over 40 years, subject to state statute.
  • Comprehensive funding allows for construction, engineering, land, legal, environmental, and many other project costs.

Low interest loans are available now. Contact our State Offices to discuss your projects!


USDA makes grants available to help rural communities repair water infrastructure damaged by destructive weather in 2022

Name: Greg Thomas
Phone: 859-224-7695
Release Date: Jun 22, 2023

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Dr. Tom Carew today announced the availability of grants to help communities repair water infrastructure damaged by presidentially declared disasters in 2022.

USDA is making over $247 million in grant funding available nationwide through supplemental disaster funding under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. Funds will remain available until expended.

“The Biden-Harris administration and USDA Rural Development stand ready with every resource at our disposal to help communities rebuild,” said Carew. “The assistance I’m announcing today will help make sure rural communities who have been impacted by natural disasters in calendar year 2022 have the resources they need to rebuild their lives and their communities.”

This assistance is greatly needed in parts of Eastern Kentucky that were heavily impacted by historic flooding in 2022.

“We made a promise that we’d be there for Eastern Kentucky for the entire rebuilding process,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “These funds will be a major help in keeping that promise. Thanks to Dr. Carew and USDA Rural Development for providing relief and hope to our people and communities as we work toward a brighter future.”

Eligible applicants include rurally located public bodies, and nonprofit organizations. 

Funds may be used to: 

  • repair damaged water infrastructure.  
  • develop resiliency to reduce long-term risks from future disasters. 

The following Kentucky counties have 2022 presidentially declared disaster areas:

  • Boyd County
  • Breathitt County
  • Carter County
  • Casey County
  • Christian County
  • Clay County
  • Cumberland County
  • Floyd County
  • Green County
  • Harlan County
  • Johnson County
  • Knott County
  • Lawrence County
  • Lee County
  • Leslie County
  • Letcher County
  • Lincoln County
  • Magoffin County
  • Martin County
  • Owsley County
  • Perry County
  • Pike County
  • Powell County
  • Taylor County
  • Whitley County
  • Wolfe County

Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.


$74,217,000  in Funding Available to Kentucky from Investing in America Agenda to Clean Up Legacy Pollution and Reclaim Abandoned Mine Lands

The Department of the Interior today announced that nearly $725 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is available to 22 states and the Navajo Nation to create good-paying jobs and catalyze economic opportunity by reclaiming abandoned coal mine lands. The law provides a total of $11.3 billion in abandoned mine land (AML) funding over 15 years, which will help communities clean up dangerous environmental conditions and pollution caused by past coal mining. This funding is expected to enable reclamation of the majority of current inventoried abandoned mine lands in this country.

This is the second allotment of funding through the program. Nearly $725 million was allocated in the first year. With this funding, states have started planning, hiring and construction, including on projects that will protect homes and infrastructure from subsidence and landslides, create new recreation opportunities, and clean up streams polluted with acid mine drainage.

“The Biden-Harris administration stands shoulder-to-shoulder with states and Tribal Nations in repairing the damage left by legacy coal mining,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Through the President’s Investing in America agenda, we are making the largest investment in abandoned mine reclamation in history, which will create good-paying jobs for current and former coal workers, help revitalize local economies, and advance environmental justice. These smart investments will build a cleaner, healthier and more just future for our children and grandchildren.”

“These historic investments are all part of the Administration’s all-of-government approach to support communities as they address the lingering impacts of extractive industries and transition to a clean energy future,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Laura Daniel-Davis. “To help address these dangerous hazards and toxic pollution that continues to have an impact on our communities, we encourage all eligible states and Tribes to submit grant applications.”

AML reclamation projects support vitally needed jobs by investing in projects that close dangerous mine shafts, reclaim unstable slopes, prevent releases of harmful gases including methane, improve water quality by treating acid mine drainage, and restore water supplies damaged by mining. AML reclamation projects also enable economic revitalization by rehabilitating hazardous land so that it can be used for recreational facilities or other economic redevelopment uses like advanced manufacturing and renewable energy deployment.

This funding opportunity advances the Biden-Harris administration’s unprecedented investments in communities and workers to support an equitable transition to a sustainable economy and healthier environment after the closure of mines or power plants. This effort also advances the President’s commitment to environmental justice and the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities.

The notice of funding opportunity follows the release of final guidance for how States and Tribes can apply for this historic funding. States and Tribes that apply for the funding are encouraged to:

  • Prioritize projects that invest in disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution, consistent with the President’s Justice40 Initiative.
  • Incorporate public review and comment into the selection of projects to be funded.
  • Prioritize eligible projects to maximize the amount of methane emissions that can be reduced.
  • Prioritize the employment of current and former coal industry workers.

Applications for the FY2023 BIL AML funds must be submitted in the GrantSolutions website.


USDA makes grants available to help people in rural KY repair their homes damaged by destructive weather in 2022

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Dr. Tom Carew today announced the availability of grants to help people repair their homes that were damaged by historic flooding and other destructive weather in 2022.

The homes must be located in Presidentially declared disaster areas. People living in 26 Kentucky counties are eligible for the funding.

“Destructive weather like the historic flooding that impacted Eastern Kentucky destroyed homes and further exacerbated the affordable housing crisis in the region,” said Carew. “That’s why the Biden-Harris administration and USDA stand ready to help thousands across rural Kentucky access the resources they need to rebuild their homes, their communities and their lives. We do this work because we know that rural America is home to millions of people who make up America’s spirit and character.”

The grants are being made available through supplemental disaster funding under the Rural Disaster Home Repair Grant Program. Through this program, people may apply to receive grants of up to $40,675 directly from USDA to repair their homes.

Learn more about how the funds may be used, eligibility requirements, and eligible counties at the full news release.

For more information on how to apply, contact Rural Development Kentucky’s Single-Family Housing team at 859-224-7322 or visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-page/kentucky-contacts to find your local Rural Development office.


USDA Has Funding Available to Help Rural Communities Improve Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

Last year, more than 2.5 million rural residents and businesses benefitted from improved water and wastewater infrastructure thanks to financial assistance from USDA. The Department provided over $2 billion in financing for 640 rural water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Whether you need to build, expand, or renovate your system, USDA has funds available now in the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.

Program Highlights

  • Projects must be in a rural area with a population of 10,000 or less
  • Eligible applicants may be public bodies, nonprofits, or Federally-recognized Tribes
  • Low interest rate funding can be combined with grants to keep user costs reasonable
  • Longer financing terms are available with typical projects financed over 40 years
  • Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and may be filed electronically using RD Apply.

Contact our State Offices for more details and interest rates applicable for your project.


Finding Funding for Nature-Based Projects Just Got a Little Bit Easier

Announcing a new searchable database for communities interested in funding nature-based infrastructure solutions

The National Wildlife Federation has launched a new microsite FundingNatureBasedSolutions.nwf.org, that aims to easily connect community planners and other stakeholders with sources of federal funding for infrastructure projects that incorporate natural elements. 

The site allows users to search and sort the more than 70 types of federal grants that fund nature-based restoration solutions based on factors such as eligible recipients, project purpose, and the match required.  It also provides information about the typical application cycles, and contact information for each program. 

Recent legislation, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework and the Inflation Reduction Act, created several new funding streams for nature-based projects and augmented existing programs’ funding for broad purposes such as flood protection, water quality improvement, disaster recovery and transportation resilience.  The website will be updated regularly as the funding sources available evolve. 

Visit the National Wildlife Federation Media Center NWF.org/News.


Green Infrastructure Funding Microsite

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) launched a new funding microsite for communities interested in pursuing federal funding and/or technical assistance for nature-based solutions and green infrastructure projects. The interactive database allows users to search and sort the more than 70 types of federal grants that fund nature-based solutions based on factors such as eligible recipients, project purpose, and the match required. It also provides information about the typical application cycles, and contact information for each program.

Access the database here: FundingNatureBasedSolutions.nwf.org


PROGRAM UPDATES


FY22-29 NEHRP Strategic Plan 

Over the past three years, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program — composed of the National Institute of Science and Technology, National Science Foundation, United States Geological Survey and FEMA— collaborated to produce a Strategic Plan. This legislative requirement is now final after Office of Management and Budget clearance.

The plan can be found on the NEHRP.gov.  NEHRP will now use the document to create a management plan.


FEMA Releases Updated HMA Guidance

FEMA released updated and consolidated guidance to help grant applicants successfully navigate its mitigation grant programs to enhance climate resiliency. Following a multi-year effort and robust community engagement, FEMA updated the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide to reduce complexities and increase stakeholder accessibility to resilience grant programs. This is the first update to the guide since 2015, and it now incorporates climate change and future conditions, equity, building codes, capability and capacity building, nature-based solutions and community lifelines as key principles for its grant programs. It also covers a new program created since the last version, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC). State, local, tribal and territorial governments can use the guide to help them through the Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant lifecycle process.

 FEMA will be offering several webinars and developed materials that offer more information about the updated guide. Anyone interested in attending may register here.


FEMA’s National Mitigation Planning Policy Updates Go Into Effect

In April 2022, FEMA released updates to the State and Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guides (policies) including a Spanish translation of the Local Guide. The policies went into effect April 19, 2023 for all plan approvals. This means hazard mitigation plans approved on or after April 19th must meet the requirements of the updated policies.

The policies help state and local governments create hazard mitigation plans that meet the mitigation planning requirements. The policies also promote including hazards in community planning and risk-informed decision making. Download and start using the updated policies today.

Since the release of the updated policies in April 2022, FEMA also created and revised several other resources for partners:

  • The four State Mitigation Planning Key Topics Bulletins walk through the concrete ways states can update their plans in accordance with the State Policy Guide. They offer step-by-step how-tos for the planning process, risk assessmentmitigation capabilities and mitigation strategy.
  • The Planning the Mitigation Program Consultation: Resources for States, D.C., and Territories toolkit helps FEMA and partners jointly plan the annual mitigation program consultation. It includes checklists to help identify agenda items and create high-impact meetings.
  • This Enhanced State Validation Toolkit provides resources for FEMA and state mitigation planning partners to develop performance measures and commitments for annual validations. These validations ensure their enhanced mitigation program is on track.
  • FEMA is in the process of updating its core training materials for state and local mitigation planning to incorporate the new policy information. Updated trainings will include L-329 State Hazard Mitigation Planning and L/K-318 Local Hazard Mitigation Planning. To host or request a training, contact your Regional Mitigation Planner.
  • FEMA will be releasing an updated Local Mitigation Planning Handbook in Spring 2023. To be notified when it is released, sign up for our GovDelivery

FEMA looks forward to working with our state, local and territorial partners under the updated policies to create resilient communities. If you have questions on the policies, email the Mitigation Planning Program at fema-mitigation-planning@fema.dhs.gov.


FEMA Releases NFIP Technical Bulletin 10 

FEMA is pleased to announce the release of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Technical Bulletin 10, Reasonably Safe from Flooding Requirement for Building on Filled Land Removed From the Special Flood Hazard Area in Accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program (TB 10). This publication is the latest update to the NFIP Technical Bulletin series.

TB 10 provides guidance on the NFIP requirements related to determining that buildings constructed on filled land will be reasonably safe from flooding. Guidance is provided for the placement of fill and the parameters for the design and construction of buildings on filled land that has been removed from the Special Flood Hazard Area through the flood map revision process managed by FEMA.

The major updates in TB 10 include:

  • The title has been updated. It was previously Ensuring That Structures Built on Fill In or Near Special Flood Hazard Areas Are Reasonably Safe From Flooding in Accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program.
  • The intent of TB 10, and when it is appropriate to use TB 10, has been clarified.
  • Increased emphasis on documentation needed for a local official to make the “reasonably safe from flooding” determination.
  • Additional best practices are provided.
  • Grouped and reorganization of the content discussing the Technical Approaches to Seepage Analysis in Section 9.

To learn more about the eleven NFIP Technical Bulletins, visit the FEMA National Flood Insurance Technical Bulletins.


The National Floodplain Function Alliance Wetland Mapping Consortium Strategies and Action Plan for Protecting and Restoring Wetland and Floodplain Functions

Final Report Now Available!

Since 2017, the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Foundation has collaborated with the Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM), the National Floodplain Functions Alliance, and the Wetland Mapping Consortium to provide funding and active participation in a series of four workshops, the focus of which was to:

 “Improve floodplain mapping integrating geospatial data being developed and used by the wetland mapping community to identify wetland and floodplain functions.”

Each of the first three workshops had a targeted discussion topic, which attendees discussed at length, offering their professional insights and informed opinions. 

  • The first workshop – conducted in 2018 was titled “Exploring Opportunities for Integrated Mapping and Functional Assessment of Riverine and Coastal Floodplains and Wetlands.”
  • The second workshop – conducted in 2019 was titled “Data Needs, GAPS and Interoperability for Integrated Mapping and Functional Assessment of Riverine and Coastal Floodplains and Wetlands.”
  • The third workshop – conducted in 2021 was titled “Federal Program and Policy Changes Needed to Advance Integrated Functional Mapping of Floodplain and Wetlands for Nature – Based Solutions.”

The final workshop, which convened in 2022, was a culmination of discussions during the first three workshops, and resulted in the development of strategies and actions, which were memorialized in the January 2023 final report, titled “Strategies and an Action Plan for Protecting and Restoring Wetland and Floodplain Functions.”  The final report and summary workshops reports are available on the Reports and Publications page of the ASFPM Foundation website.

ASFPM Foundation Mission Statement

Serve as the catalyst for ASFPM, its Chapters, and members to advance research, projects, education and policy initiatives, that promote reduced flood risk and resilient communities.

For more information about the National Floodplain Function Alliance Wetland Mapping Consortium, please visit website or contact Brad Anderson, ASFPM Foundation Projects Chair, at Brad.Anderson@acewater.com.


Answers to Questions about the National Flood Insurance Program

An in-depth guide addressing frequently asked questions about the NFIP. This resource includes valuable information about flood insurance policies, what to do before and after a flood, flood maps, flood mitigation actions and more.

Click NFIP Question & Answer to download the publication.

 

 

 


 

PUBLICATIONS, RESOURCES, & MOBILE TOOLS

 


B-526 Cover

FEMA’s Earthquake & Wind Programs Branch, along with the National Earthquake and Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP), is excited to announce the updated Earthquake Safety Checklist (FEMA B-526). The checklist acts as a reference guide that helps individuals and families prepare for an earthquake event and prevent earthquake-related damage.

FEMA B-526 lists several steps to take in the event of an earthquake to mitigate damage and risk to people and property.

The checklist includes all necessary items to keep on hand in the case of an earthquake such as flashlights, spare batteries, water, first aid kits, battery-powered radios, etc.

Included is an earthquake hazard hunt to help individuals identify potential dangers in the home by conducting a search for specific hazards such as:

  • Tall, heavy furniture that can topple over in the event of an earthquake
  • Appliances that could move to rupture gas or electric lines
  • Hanging plants in heavy pots
  • Heavy picture frames or mirrors
  • Flammable liquids

There are step-by-step instructions for a family earthquake drill. FEMA B-526 references the Great ShakeOut and practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On in the event of an earthquake.

The checklist highlights ways to protect yourself and others from an earthquake in various environments including in a home, outdoors, in your car, in public transportation, or trapped under fallen debris. It also describes steps to take after the ground stops shaking and post-earthquake hazards that may occur.

The checklist includes several available resources to prepare oneself for an earthquake event.

For additional resources on earthquakes, visit:

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/fema_earthquake_earthquake-home-hazard-hunt-poster-fema-528.pdf

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/fema_earthquakes_fema-p-530-earthquake-safety-at-home-march-2020.pdf

https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2021-11/are-you-ready-guide.pdf

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_building-codes-toolkit.pdf

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/earthquake/insurance

https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes


 

FEMA releases Information Sharing Guide for Private-Public Partnerships

The Information Sharing Guide for Private-Public Partnerships provides recommendations and resources for any private-public partnership (P3) to develop, conduct, and improve the capability to share information for resilience and all response and recovery.

To download the document please visit FEMA.gov.

 _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Economic Revitalization Guide for CDBG-DR Grantees

 
Date Published: August 2023

 

Description

The Economic Revitalization Guide provides Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grantees with the tools and resources to design and implement economic revitalization activities that promote economic recovery after a disaster, improve long-term economic resilience, and address the needs of underserved communities.

Part I of the Guide provides an overview of effective economic development strategies and offers recommendations for how CDBG-DR grantees can align disaster recovery activities with broader local and regional strategies.

Part II of the Guide presents case studies on the use of CDBG-DR funds by existing grantees to enhance the quality of life in underserved communities by supporting local businesses, driving job growth and training residents to access quality jobs.

Resource Links

 


 

FEMA’s National Dam Safety Program Releases the 2023 Research Summit Report

research summit

In February 2023, FEMA hosted the 2023 National Dam Safety Research Summit in Washington, DC. The research summit had 55 attendees from 39 different federal and state agencies and industry partners in attendance. The group was divided into three tracks while taking into consideration a host of topics that fell into a cross-cutting category. The three tracks were:

  • Hydrologic and Hydraulic (H&H)
  • Geotechnical
  • Structural and Safety & Security

The two-day summit culminated in the production of 30+ draft project scopes that are outlined in the newly released Research Summit Report. This report summarizes each phase of the process taken to identify these priorities and projects.

The mission of the Research Summit was to evaluate near-term industry needs for dam safety and to outline a path forward for the future. This event provided a venue to bring the key dam safety industry research leaders from across the United States and from all sectors (federal, state, academia, and industry partners). The objectives lined out prior to the summit were as follows:

  • Identify firm and defined research deliverables funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that must be completed in a three-year cycle.
  • Identify and forecast future research needs for long-term execution. For each research need, develop a description, justification, and pathway to move those ideas forward.

Download the 2023 National Dam Safety Summit Report and see the 31 projects to begin in FY23-25.


ASCE Releases Flood Supplement for ASCE 7-22

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has released a new supplement to the 2022 edition of its widely used standard titled ASCE/SEI 7: Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-22). The release of the ASCE 7-22 supplement (2) on flood loads marks a milestone in advancing flood-resilient building design. It focuses on flood load provisions and introduces significant improvements to enhance the resilience of buildings against extreme flood events. This update surpasses the previous edition, which primarily focused on the 100-year flood hazard, by implementing minimum recurrence intervals of 500-, 750-, and 1000-years to improve structure reliability throughout its design life.

The new supplement adopts risk-based approaches and aligns with the prevailing trend of using higher minimum recurrence intervals to enhance building design resilience. The supplement ensures flood load calculation consistency with other hazards addressed in the standard, such as wind and seismic design, which also use higher recurrence intervals for load calculations.

Noteworthy technical updates within the supplement include revised minimum design requirements, which incorporate sea level change and adjustments to the calculations of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads (such as velocity and scour), wave loads, debris loads, flood load cases, load combinations and stability checks. These updates reflect a departure from previous versions of ASCE 7 and signify society’s commitment to integrating climate data into its standards.

In conclusion, the new ASCE 7-22 Supplement 2 on flood loads represents a significant advancement in flood-resilient building design. By embracing the 500-year flood hazard area and incorporating risk-based approaches, the supplement enhances the safety and reliability of structures, instilling confidence in residents and businesses facing weather-related challenges. The release of this supplement as a free download reflects ASCE’s commitment to disseminating vital engineering knowledge and promoting the highest standards in the industry.


FEMA Releases the First Two Modules in the Building Code Playbook Video Series

BC Adoption Playbook Cover

 

The Building Code Playbook Video Series offers a more in-depth look at topics covered in the Building Codes Adoption Playbook for Authorities Having Jurisdiction to help communities learn more about building codes and how they can improve their natural hazard resilience.

The video series will provide guidance to Authorities Having Jurisdiction who are considering adoption of the most current model building codes to mitigate damage and loss caused by future natural hazards. By adapting the playbook into a video series, FEMA will be able to better provide general knowledge on the importance of building codes, steps to adopt and enforce them, information on FEMA grants and references to additional resources.

The first two released are:

The video series is anticipated to have nine modules in total, the remainder to be released later this year.


FEMA Releases Eight New Guidance Publications About Wildfire

On Dec. 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire swept through the City of Louisville, the Town of Superior, and unincorporated Boulder County. The fire burned across exceptionally dry grassland, fanned by hurricane-force winds, resulting in the most destructive fire in state history, destroying and damaging more than 1,000 homes and over 30 commercial structures. The damage to communities resulting from the combination of these hazards (i.e., drought, wind, and wildfire) demonstrated the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to wildfire mitigation.

FEMA’s Building Science Disaster Support Program (BSDS) deployed its first-ever wildfire Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) to evaluate building performance during the fire. Team members evaluated components and systems of primarily residential structures to determine the effectiveness of various building materials, design, and construction practices for wildfire resiliency.

The team used the information gathered to evaluate how wildfire-urban interface (WUI) building codes and standards and how design, construction, and defensible space practices can be improved to increase community wildfire resilience.

FEMA has released eight new wildfire publications to assist planners, local land management personnel, builders, and property owners in how to identify how wildfires interact with other natural hazards and strategies to mitigate wildfire and post-wildfire impacts.

Covers of the eight MAT products

  • Marshall Fire MAT: Mitigation Strategies to Address Multi-Hazard Events
  • The information in this document can be used to guide the incorporation of site-based wildfire mitigation strategies into planning, community siting and zoning requirements. This document can also guide the adoption of proactive planning, development and maintenance strategies that can minimize future risk of multi-hazard events.
  • Marshall Fire MAT: Best Practices for Wildfire-Resilient Subdivision Planning 
  • This document provides builders/contractors, planning professionals, Homeowners Associations, and local land resource managers with information about wildfire resiliency planning and open-space management policies, best practices, and procedures at subdivision- and neighborhood scales.
  • Decreasing Risk of Structure-to-Structure Fire Spread in a Wildfire
  • The purpose of this document is to provide recommendations to contractors and designers on new building construction that may prevent or slow the spread of a fire from structure-to-structure in densely spaced neighborhoods.
  • Wildfire-Resilient Detailing, Joint Systems and Interfaces of Building Components
  • This document provides information on ways to reduce the vulnerability of residential structures to wildfire ignition due to windborne embers, hot gases, and flames penetrating common detailing joints and building component interfaces that exist throughout the exterior envelope of a building. While the primary focus of this document is to provide guidance on retrofitting existing residential homes, many of the recommendations for increasing wildfire resiliency of common details, joint systems, and building component interfaces would also be applicable to new construction and commercial buildings.
  • Homeowner’s Guide to Reducing Wildfire Risk Through Defensible Space
  • This document provides homeowners with steps they can take now to protect their homes from loss or damage from wildfires due to vulnerabilities introduced by surrounding landscaping and other exterior features (e.g., outbuildings, sheds, furniture, and trash bins) within the homeowner’s property. The goal is to increase homeowner awareness of the key mechanisms and characteristics of Wildfire and the Wildland Urban Interface fires that can result in home ignition.
  • Homeowner’s Guide to Reducing Risk of Structure Ignition from Wildfire
  • This document provides homeowners with steps they can take now to decrease the likelihood their homes will ignite due to direct flame contact, ember intrusion, or hot gases from wildfires at various physical vulnerabilities throughout the exterior envelope of the house. Specifically, it provides information about some measures that homeowners can take to address vulnerabilities at joints, gaps, vents, and attachments such as decks and fences.
  • Homeowner’s Guide to Risk Reduction and Remediation of Residential Smoke Damage
  • The purpose of this document is to provide recommendations to homeowners for pre-wildfire measures to help reduce the risk of smoke damage and do-it-yourself steps that homeowners can take to remediate light to moderate smoke damage. This document also includes recommendations for selecting and monitoring a professional cleaning services contractor for heavy smoke damage.
  • Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Marshall Fire Building Performance, Observations, Recommendations, and Technical Guidance (FEMA P-2320)
  • The objective of this MAT report is to provide actionable recommendations to improve residential building performance under wildfire conflagration conditions. It describes the MAT’s observations during the field deployments, draws conclusions based on those observations, and provides recommendations for actions that property owners can take to help increase the resiliency of their homes and neighborhoods to future wildfires. It also provides recommendations that local government officials, planners, builders, design professionals, and homeowners’ associations can implement to reduce the potential impacts of wildfires on communities and improve their resilience.

These guidance documents are important for moving forward, as the landscape is continuously evolving due to climate change and putting more communities at risk. With the work that FEMA has put in, the intent is that these documents can also guide the adoption of proactive planning, development and maintenance strategies that can minimize future risk of multi-hazard events.

For additional information, please visit: www.fema.gov/bsds


Help Prepare Your Community by Using FEMA’s Data and Findings!

Do you want to use data to inform your preparedness efforts? Are you wondering what actions you should encourage your community to take? FEMA publishes Data Digests to share findings from its preparedness research, like the annual National Household Survey on Disaster Preparedness. Our goal is to provide you with relevant insights, data, findings, research-validated protective actions and helpful links that you can use to engage with your community. We invite you to use the information below and incorporate Data Digest resources into your preparedness publications, social media posts and stakeholder outreach. 

Have questions about this data? Want to receive the Data Digest in your inbox? Contact FEMA at FEMA-Prepare@fema.dhs.gov.

Extreme heat can be deadly. Read about how you can help your community learn how to identify and respond to the effects of extreme heat in FEMA’s most recent Data Digest on extreme heat preparedness.


New FEMA Building ScienceResources!

For Children:

Building Codes Activity BookThis activity book helps children learn more about how building codes help protect our communities against natural hazards. By using natural hazard-resistant building codes, communities are better prepared for events such as earthquakes, storms, floods, or fires.

Earthquake:

FEMA P-366, Hazus Estimated Annualized Earthquake Losses for the United StatesFEMA P-366 highlights the impacts of both high hazard and high exposure on losses caused by earthquakes. The study is based on loss estimates generated by Hazus, a geographic information system (GIS)-based earthquake loss estimation tool developed by FEMA.

Wildfire:

Decreasing Risk of Structure-to-Structure Fire Spread in a WildfireThis document provides recommendations to contractors and designers on new building construction that may prevent or slow the spread of a fire from structure-to-structure in densely-spaced neighborhoods.

Homeowner’s Guide to Reducing Risk of Structure Ignition from WildfireThis document provides homeowners with steps they can take now to decrease the likelihood their homes will ignite due to direct flame contact, ember intrusion, or hot gases from wildfires at various physical vulnerabilities throughout the exterior envelope of the house. 

Wildfire-Resilient Detailing, Joint Systems and Interfaces of Building ComponentsThis document provides information on ways to reduce the vulnerability of residential structures to wildfire ignition due to windborne embers, hot gases, and flames penetrating common detailing joints and building component interfaces that exist throughout the exterior envelope of a building.

Homeowner’s Guide to Reducing Wildfire Risk Through Defensible SpaceThis document provides homeowners with steps they can take now to protect their homes from loss or damage from wildfires due to vulnerabilities introduced by surrounding landscaping and other exterior features within the homeowner’s property.

Homeowner’s Guide to Risk Reduction and Remediation of Residential Smoke DamageThis document provides recommendations to homeowners for pre-wildfire measures to help reduce the risk of smoke damage and do-it-yourself (DIY) steps that homeowners can take to remediate light to moderate smoke damage.

Marshall Fire MAT: Best Practices for Wildfire-Resilient Subdivision PlanningThis document provides builders/contractors, planning professionals, HOAs, and local land resource managers with information about wildfire resiliency planning and open-space management policies, best practices, and procedures at subdivision- and neighborhood-scales.

Marshall Fire MAT: Mitigation Strategies to Address Multi-Hazard Events: This document is intended to help planners, developers, local land management personnel and private property owners identify how wildfires interact with other natural hazards and mitigate the impact of these multi-hazard events.

Hurricane:

Hurricane Ida DRRA Section 1206 Implementation Case Study: This study reviews the implementation of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) Section 1206 Policy implemented after Hurricane Ida in Louisiana (DR-4611) and shares the lessons learned for future state, local, tribal, and territorial governments looking to implement this type of project.

Building the Case for Open Space (Foundations)This guidance compares the two predominant construction foundation systems available in South Louisiana and provides greater detail regarding their costs, impacts, and advantages.

New Videos:

New Building Code Adoption Playbook Videos

New On-Demand Training for Rapid Visual Screening of Buildings for Potential Seismic Hazards


National Dam Safety Program Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years
2024 -2029

 

FEMA’s National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) just released the Fiscal Year 2024-2029 National Dam Safety Program Strategic Plan.

Developed in partnership with the Interagency Committee on Dam Safety (ICODS) and the National Dam Safety Review Board (NDSRB), this five-year strategy focuses on results for the NDSP to reduce risks to life, property, and the environment from dam failure by guiding public policy and leveraging industry best practices across the dam safety community.

It also builds the foundation for what the program will look like in five years to ensure the benefits and risks of dams are understood and managed equitably, enhancing public safety, national security, and the environment while adapting to climate change.

NDSP is a partnership of states, federal agencies and other stakeholders to encourage and promote the establishment and maintenance of effective federal and state dam safety programs to reduce the risk to human life, property, and the environment from dam related hazards.

The program has two advisory committees to include: ICODS and the NDSRB.

ICODS was founded in 1980 to encourage the establishment and maintenance of effective federal programs, policies, and guidelines to enhance dam safety and security. The committee serves as the permanent forum for the coordination of federal activities in dam safety and security. FEMA also chairs this committee. ICODS membership includes representatives from the following federal agencies:

  • FEMA
  • U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE)
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
  • U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
  • Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA/NRCS)
  • U.S. Department of Energy (DoE)
  • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department of Labor/Mine Safety and Health Administration (DOL – MSHA)
  • U.S. Section, International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

NDSRB advises FEMA’s Administrator in setting national dam safety priorities and considers the effects of national policy issues affecting dam safety. Review Board members include FEMA, the Chair of the Board, representatives from four federal agencies that serve on ICODS, five state dam safety officials, and one member from the private sector. NDSRB membership includes representatives from the following federal agencies:

  • FEMA
  • U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE)
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA/NRCS)
  • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Five Rotating State Representatives
  • Private Sector Representative

To view/download the National Dam Safety Program Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years 2024 -2029, visit: National Dam Safety Program Strategic Plan (fema.gov)


FEMA Publishing 2023 FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms Book

FEMA is publishing an update to the FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms – A Capability Assurance Job and Field Aid.

The “FAAT Book”, as it is known, is a comprehensive list of FEMA and emergency management-related acronyms, terms and abbreviations.

The updated FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations and Terms – A Capability Assurance Job and Field Aid will be published online at https://www.fema.gov/about/glossary.

FEMA will not publish hard copies of the 2023 update.


FEMA Releases Updated Local Mitigation Planning Handbook

The Local Mitigation Planning Handbook is a plain-language tool to help local governments develop or update hazard mitigation plans. It gives guidance, case studies, definitions and resources that help make mitigation planning easier.  

Hazard mitigation plans are blueprints to build resilient communities. Plans pinpoint natural hazard risks and vulnerabilities in the planning area. Then planners develop strategies to reduce these risks and vulnerabilities.

Hazard Mitigation Planning Process

On April 19, 2023, the new Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide went into effect. The updated Handbook provides more details on ways to develop mitigation plans that meet the policy and regulatory requirements.  

Updates to the Handbook include new material on how to plan for climate change and other future conditions. The Handbook also covers how to create more equitable outcomes through mitigation planning. The Handbook is a resource anyone can use. It is great for local governments and planning teams with any level of knowledge.

FEMA’s National Mitigation Planning Program supports state, local, tribal and territory governments with risk-based mitigation planning to reduce or eliminate risks to life and property from natural hazards. The program focuses on building resilience through early and often stakeholder engagement, integration with community planning, and implementation of mitigation actions. For more information, visit Hazard Mitigation Planning | FEMA.gov.


FEMA releases Third Edition of the Building Codes Toolkit for Homeowners and Occupants

The Building Codes Toolkit offers basic guidance and tools to help homeowners and occupants learn about building codes and how they can make their homes more resilient against natural hazards.

This version of the FEMA Building Codes Toolkit includes updates to documents from the previous editions of the Toolkit, as well as new documents that will help readers better understand building codes and how they work.

The Toolkit can be read as one publication or a series of separate documents to give readers information specific to their needs.

Step-by-step guidance and background information are provided to help readers make informed decisions about building codes. Readers will also learn the importance of building codes and how to ensure they are incorporated into their building or project.

The FEMA Building Codes Toolkit can help homeowners and occupants become one step closer to living in a safer and more resilient community.

Learn more about how you can support the adoption and use of natural hazard-resistant building codes and standards: Building Science Resource Library | FEMA.gov


FEMA-USGS Study Highlights Economic Earthquake Risk in the United States

Download the study: FEMA_p366 Hazus Estimated Annualized Earthquake Losses United States

Choropleth map

Earthquakes are estimated to cost the nation $14.7 billion annually in building damage and associated losses according to a new report published jointly by the FEMA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at the annual Seismological Society of America meeting.  The new estimate represents a twofold growth over previous estimates due to increased building value, incorporation of the latest hazard and improvements in building inventory. 

April 18 marks 117 years since the Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. A repeat of such an event today could cost more than $165 billion in building loss alone. 

As compared to the previous studies in 2001, 2008 and 2017, the estimated ratio of building loss to overall building value has consistently decreased throughout the western states indicating progress in reducing building vulnerability thanks to the efforts of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) partner agencies.  

Estimating the varying degree of earthquake risk is a priority of NEHRP and critical for informed decision making on mitigation policies, priorities, strategies, and funding levels in the public and private sectors. USGS science on earthquake hazards and FEMA’s latest Hazus 6.0 loss estimation software release were critical components of this analysis. This update includes a significant nationwide effort to improve earthquake hazard data and the baseline building exposure data now valued at $107.8 trillion that benefited from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) National Structure Inventory

Although most economic loss is concentrated along the west coast, the distribution of relative earthquake risk, as measured by the Annualized Earthquake Loss Ratio (AELR), is spread throughout the country and it reinforces the fact that earthquakes are a national problem. The AELR expresses estimated annualized loss as a fraction of the building inventory replacement value as shown in figure above. 

Annualized loss is derived from combining earthquake hazard, building exposure, and vulnerability, and thus it represents a long-term average; however, the recent earthquake sequence in Türkiye and Syria has further highlighted the extent of sudden and catastrophic impacts from large earthquakes.


FEMA Releases the Updated Wind Retrofit Guide (FEMA P-804)

FEMA is pleased to announce the updated release of FEMA P-804, Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings in Hurricane-Prone Regions available at: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/building-science/publications.

FEMA P-804 summarizes the technical information needed for selecting and implementing cost-effective wind retrofit projects for existing one- and two-family dwellings in the hurricane-prone region of the US and its territories. The 2nd Edition of FEMA P-804 (last published in 2010) provides clarified and updated guidance based on lessons learned over the past 13 years of post-hurricane damage assessments and advances in wind engineering. Although this publication references guidance for one- and two-family dwellings in the hurricane-prone region, much of this guidance could also be applicable to non-coastal areas subject to high winds.

FEMA P-804 continues to present mitigation measures in three successive Mitigation Packages: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced.

Key changes to FEMA P-804 include:

  • The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) 2020 FORTIFIED Home Standard (IBHS, 2020) is being used as a reference.
  • The FEMA P-804 Mitigation Package requirements have been updated to meet or exceed the criteria of the respective 2020 FORTIFIED HomeTM Hurricane designations for existing homes.
  • Any additional FEMA requirements which are more conservative than FORTIFIED 2020 will be noted to be “FEMA Grant Requirements.”

FEMA P-804 references the latest edition of ASCE 7, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE/SEI 7-22) and the soon to be published 2024 model building codes from the International Code Council (expected summer 2024).

While this publication outlines minimum technical and performance-based grant requirements for wind retrofits, refer to the latest edition of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide (HMA Guide) for the most current FEMA policy statement on residential wind retrofit and HMA grants implementation requirements. See: https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/hazard-mitigation-assistance-guidance

For more information on building science, visit fema.gov/building-science.


Report Explores Three Ways to Transform Flood Risk Management

The latest report in the Rethinking Flood series from Marsh McLennan, Staying Above Water: A Systemic Response to Rising Flood Risk explores how the transformation of flood risk management can play out along three ways forward: Living with floods, building strategic protection, and preparing for relocation. 

Staying Above Water: A Systemic Response to Rising Flood Risk Underpinned by new data from the Marsh McLennan Flood Risk Index, the report first discusses risk drivers, escalating impacts, and inadequacies of current risk management strategies — offering a strong rationale for urgent action. It then sets out guiding principles for resilience and presents examples of innovative strategies from different geographies to illustrate how the transformation can be realized. The report concludes with a call to action by proposing concrete steps to overcome inertia and mobilize stakeholder action by leveraging critical enablers across governance and risk culture, land use and infrastructure, finance, and insurance.

Download Staying Above Water: A Systemic Response to Rising Flood Risk.  

Catch up on previous reports in the series:

Sunk Costs: The Socioeconomic Impacts of Flooding is the first report in the series, analyzing the current state of flood risk globally, its economic and societal consequences, and the role of insurance in protecting the most vulnerable.

Preparing for a Wetter World: Strategies for Corporate Flood Resilience explores the implications of flood risk for businesses and discusses how firms can reimagine their approach to flood risk management in the context of climate change, growing business complexity, and stakeholder management.


Building Community Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions

FEMA published a new report: Building Community Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions. It highlights five key strategies for implementing successful nature-based solution projects to advance natural hazard mitigation and climate adaptation: 

  • Building Strong Partnerships
  • Engaging the Whole Community
  • Matching Project Size With Desired Goals and Benefits
  • Maximizing Benefits
  • Designing for the Future

Download here


New Elevation Certificate Fact Sheet

Last month FEMA published a new Elevation Certificate fact sheet for property owners. This fact sheet explains how an Elevation Certificate is useful in the new Risk Rating 2.0 insurance premium rating methodology, how it is used for construction and regulatory purposes, and how to obtain an Elevation Certificate. Download fact sheet


Resilience Matters from Island Press Urban Resilience Project

Island Press e-book offers climate resilient solutions for building a greener, fairer future

For those who care about sustainability and equity, 2022 brought plenty of good news. Through the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, American Rescue Plan, and the Biden Administration’s Justice40 initiative, money is—finally—flowing to climate change mitigation and resilience in hard-hit communities.

But the devil, as they say, is in the details. Now that more funding is available, it’s important to make sure it is spent wisely and goes where it’s needed most. In 2022, contributors to the Island Press Urban Resilience Project (URP) dug into the details, devising concrete plans for collective action to build a greener, fairer future. Those ideas—originally published as articles, op-eds, and interviews—have now been collected in the latest edition of our e-book series Resilience Matters, available below at no cost.   

Download Resilience Matters: Resilience Matters: Collective Action for Healthier Communities


USGS Mobile Flood Tool

The U.S. Geological Survey released a mobile tool that provides real-time information on water levels, weather, and flood forecasts all in one place. The new USGS National Water Dashboard will help inform forecasting, response, and recovery efforts for agencies such as the National Weather Service, FEMA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other federal, state and local agencies.


What is the FEMA App

Take Charge of Disasters The FEMA App is your personalized disaster resource, so you feel empowered and ready to take charge of any disaster life throws your way.   

PLAN: Learn how to prepare for common hazards quickly and easily.

Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, the FEMA App can help you learn basic preparedness strategies like how to create a family emergency communication plan, what to pack in your emergency kit, and what to do immediately after a disaster. 

PROTECT: Knowing when and how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your property during a disaster can make all the difference.

With the FEMA App, you can receive real-time weather and emergency alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide.  It can also help you find a nearby shelter if you need to evacuate to a safe space.

Download the FEMA App

Get it on Google Play 

Download it on Apple Store.

You can also download the app via text messaging. On an Android device, text ANDROID to 43362 (4FEMA); On an Apple Device, text APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA).

Search for shelters near you. Text SHELTER and your Zip Code to 43362.

TEXT FOR HELP

To search for shelters near you, text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362 (e.g. Shelter 12345). You may look up shelters any time through the American Red Cross shelter map or by downloading the FEMA App.

Safety Tips – To sign up to receive general information about how to prepare for any type of disaster, text PREPARE to 43362.  To sign up for disaster specific safety tips, text one of the keywords below to 43362:

  • BLACKOUT
  • EARTHQUAKE
  • FIRE
  • FLOOD
  • TORNADO
  • WILDFIRE
  • WINTER

Now on the FEMA App: Fill Your Digital Backpack Today

Backpack with documents, camera and phone

 

 

You may already have an emergency kit at home or a go-bag in your car with supplies like water, flashlights, and a first aid kit. But did you know you can also safeguard important electronic documents—property deeds, insurance documents, medical records and more—in FEMA’s new digital backpack?

Having digital backups of your important physical documents means that you’ll have the information to replace them should you need to. That’s where the digital backpack comes in. Easy steps to create a digital backpack are now on the FEMA app, available from the Apple App Store or on Google Play.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, look for the Prepare icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap the A-Z tab and then Emergency Plans, Kits & Checklists. Scroll down to Digital Backpack. The app then takes you step by step through the process of creating a digital backpack, from gathering documents to showing you how to store these documents online to keeping them updated. Once you’re done, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you have access to documents you may need during an emergency.


Mitigation Matters!  

Have questions? Contact us at help@kymitigation.org.

KAMM mailing address: KAMM, PO Box 1016, Frankfort, KY 40602-1016.  

 

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

KAMM is a non-profit 501 (c) (3)