Online Training

Online Training and Webinars

FEMA Releases New Independent Study Course:
Preparing the Nation for Space Weather Events

Space weather – winds and magnetic waves that move through space – can sometimes reach Earth or Earth’s upper atmosphere. When this happens, space weather can adversely affect critical technological systems like satellite-based positioning and navigation, high frequency radio communications, and the electric power grid.

Much of the space weather that reaches Earth is generated by our sun, which goes through solar cycles that are about 11 years long. Each cycle is marked by a solar maximum and a solar minimum. At the solar maximum, the sun’s activity peaks and sun’s magnetic poles reverse. This peak can be measured by the number of sun spots observed on the sun’s surface. This is followed by a solar minimum when the sun is least active, which marks the beginning of the next solar cycle.

We are now in Solar Cycle 25 with the next solar maximum expected in 2025. In 2019, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initially predicted that Solar Cycle 25 would have average activity. However, since this prediction was made, the Sun has been more active than anticipated, and with more solar activity comes an increased likelihood of disruptive space weather events on Earth, like radio blackouts, geomagnetic storms, or solar radiation storms.

Since space weather has the potential to significantly disrupt critical infrastructure, emergency preparedness for space weather events is important. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Emergency Management Institute (EMI) recently launched a new online course: IS-66: Preparing the Nation for Space Weather Events.

This 2-hour independent study course is appropriate for emergency managers at all levels. It covers:

  • The types of events that present potential dangers.
  • The types of systems that may experience disruptions.
  • Case studies with examples of historical space weather events and their impacts.
  • Information on the activities and analysis that go into developing and producing Space Weather Forecast products.

The course builds on FEMA’s 2019 Federal Operating Concept for Impending Space Weather Events, a 65-page guide supporting the National Space Weather Strategy and Action Plan, which was released by the White House in 2019. The 2019 FEMA guide is intended to be used in the development of operational plans to prepare for, protect against, and mitigate the effects of impending space weather events.

After completing this course, emergency managers will better understand how to identify risks to their organization, implement mitigation actions and develop contingency operating plans in the event of a disruptive space weather event.

To learn more and to take the course, visit the course page on EMI’s website.

(Source: FEMA, NOAA, NASA)

FEMA Elevation Certificate Videos

December 18, 2020

The CRS Program has just released 8 videos that cover training on the FEMA Elevation Certificate (EC).  The videos describe each Section of the EC and explain which fields on the form are required for CRS purposes and why.  Each video explains the most common errors we see on the forms and how to avoid them.  We also have 2 videos covering general issues associated with ECs such as form date rules, page rules, how to handle annexations, how to handle Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) changes after a building is permitted, and how to document different kinds of buildings.  And lastly, we have a video on how to correct and EC once you find one with errors.

The videos should be watched beginning with Section A of the form, and ending with “How to Correct an Elevation Certificate.” They are intended to serve community officials, but please feel free to share these videos with the surveyors, engineers, and architects in your community who fill out these forms.  They will benefit greatly from them as well.   

  1. How To Fill Out Section A For CRS Purposes
  2. How to Fill Out Section B For CRS Purposes
  3. How to Fill Out Section C & D For CRS Purposes
  4. How to Fill Out Section E & F For CRS Purposes
  5. How to Fill Out Section G For CRS Purposes
  6. General Issues, Part 1
  7. General Issues, Part 2
  8. How To Correct an EC

Link to the YouTube videos:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRJw9u8nGNwP8sFZFMCyDqWNR1XnmzkpR

 

Watch and Learn: Incorporating Future Conditions in Mitigation Plans

Watch the training webinar, “Investing in Our Future, Planning Now: Addressing Future Climate, Population and Land Use in Mitigation Planning.”

As the frequency and intensity of natural disaster events increase, it is important to account for future conditions when developing a hazard mitigation plan for approval.  Future conditions include the impacts of a changing climate, the built environment and changes in population and land use.  It’s crucial to recognize how these conditions will impact people, including those who are disproportionately impacted by natural disasters and underserved in the resources they receive to recover.

The webinar provides ideas, resources and examples of how to integrate future conditions information into the hazard mitigation planning process to increase overall resilience.  The intended audience for this training is state, local, tribal and territorial governments and other private sector and non-government partners involved in developing hazard mitigation plans.

Watch the one-hour 15-minute training on FEMA’s YouTube channel.

 

Basically CDBG Online Curriculum 

Whether you are new to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program or just need a refresher on key topics, this new online training curriculum is for you!

This Basically CDBG Online curriculum provides a suite of information and tools to help CDBG grantees understand basic CDBG requirements and drill down into more nuanced issues related to the administration and implementation of the program.

Available 24/7 on the HUD Exchange, the 12-module curriculum utilizes multiple training modalities to reinforce learning, including:

  • Recorded training sessions, webinars, and animations
  • Links to helpful resources such as manuals, toolkits, and regulations
  • Project profiles and case studies
  • Quizzes

The self-paced curriculum covers a range of topics including:

  • History, Mission, and Overview
  • Planning
  • National Objectives and Eligible Activities
  • Housing and Other Real Property Activities
  • Public Facilities and Improvements
  • Public Services
  • Economic Development and Section 108
  • Other Eligible Activities
  • Other Federal Requirements
  • Financial Management
  • IDIS and CDBG
  • Performance Measurement, Monitoring, and Reporting

Explore Basically CDBG Online Today – https://hudexchange.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=87d7c8afc03ba69ee70d865b9&id=f8114a78cb&e=5d1511d298

 

Tapping into Federal Funding:  Leveraging HUD Loans for Innovative Water Infrastructure Investments

Webinar and Materials are now posted on the Leveraging HUD Loans for Innovative Water Infrastructure Investments Webinar page.

Part of WaterNow’s ongoing Tap into Resilience series, this webinar explored how local leaders can leverage HUD loans for innovative water infrastructure investments.  WaterNow’s Tap into Resilience initiative provides water leaders the resources they need to invest in affordable, climate resilient solutions to meet a broad range of water management challenges.

This webinar featured one of these investment options – HUD’s Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program.  This federal loan program can be used to address community resilience projects aimed at benefiting low- and moderate-income communities and for organizations looking to improve water systems.  Eligible projects include waterfront fortification, green infrastructure improvements, and water infrastructure improvements.

Speakers:

  • Seema Thomas, Deputy Director, Financial Management Division, HUD
  • Erik Pechuekonis, CPD Specialist, HUD Representative from Mount Vernon, WA
  • Marty Dubroff, CPD Specialist, HUD
  • Esco Bell, Public Works Director, City of Mount Vernon, WA
  • Caroline Koch, Water Policy Director, WaterNow Alliance

Watch the webinar and download the materials  – Leveraging HUD Loans for Innovative Water Infrastructure Investments Webinar page.

 

Using Land Use and Building Codes to Increase Resilience Webinar

August 2021

Combining land use planning and development decisions with strong building codes can reduce vulnerabilities to buildings and infrastructure as well as save lives. 

Have you considered why your community and its buildings looks the way it does?  It’s because of plans, policies, and regulations that govern where (guided by land use planning) and how (guided by building codes) we build.  This webinar outlines the essential role that land use planning and building codes play in reducing disaster risk.

Watch the webinar “Where and How We Build: Using Land Use and Building Codes to Increase Resilience.”

 

Affordable Resilience in the Built Environment

US building codes remain fragmented with no federal standards.  States can voluntarily adopt model codes, whenever and with whatever edits they wish.  These codes are generally set at life safety ‘escape’, rather than asset preservation ‘resilience’ levels. 

This webinar from Florida International University’s Institute for Resilient and Sustainable Coastal Infrastructure examines resilience affordability and explains why high resilience has the lowest cost to society.

 

HEC-HMS USACE HH&C CoP Webinar Series

The USACE Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) is hosting quarterly demonstration webinars about the HEC-HMS model.  Webinars are recorded and posted on the USACE Hydrologic Engineering Center’s website.

 

FEMA Offers Virtual Public Assistance Training

May 18, 2020

FEMA is making it easier for state, local government partners to create accounts and apply for Public Assistance.  To help familiarize partners with these changes, there are now remote training tools available, including 17 YouTube videos, daily webinars and 28 independent study courses online.

The videos help guide viewers through how to establish an account, file a Request for Public Assistance, submit streamlined applications and follow other steps in the application process.

The independent study courses, hosted by the Emergency Management Institute, provide an overview to the program, application process and the Grants Portal platform.

 

Free Independent Study Programs Available Online

NFIP Training courses for Agents, Claims Adjusters, Surveyors, and Community Officials have moved online to the Independent Study Program at the FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI).  Training courses are free and open to anyone.  To learn more about EMI, go to http://training.fema.gov/EMICourses/.

For a complete list of courses, download the independent Study brochure or link to https://training.fema.gov/is/crslist.aspx.

 

URA the HUD Way – New Training Module Available

HUD Logo

For all projects that receive federal funding for the acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition of real property, Uniform Relocation Assistance (URA) provides important protections and assistance for people affected by those activities.

This training describes the URA minimum standards for all federally-funded projects that acquire property or displace persons from their homes, businesses, or farms.  Modules 1 and 2 are intended to provide a basic overview of the topics.  Modules 3 through 8 provide greater technical training on the topics.

Note: Not all modules are currently available but will be announced in the coming months.

  • Not familiar with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended (URA)?
  • New to administering HUD funded projects?
  • Want to improve your URA knowledge?

Available Modules

Module 1: URA Overview

This module provides a basic overview of URA requirements for HUD programs and projects.  It provides a brief history on the URA’s purpose and objectives, URA highlights, and helpful information for users to recognize when HUD funded projects may be subject to URA requirements.

Module 7: Temporary Relocation

Temporary relocation due to acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition for a federally-funded project is subject to the URA.

Module Goals:

  • Identify HUD requirements for temporary relocation
  • Differentiate between temporary relocation and permanent displacement
  • Identify the Notice requirements
  • Recognize the impact of temporary relocation on households and businesses
  • Identify Agency’s responsibility for providing advisory services
  • Describe eligible reimbursable expenses

Take the Training, link here.

 

Benefit-Cost Analysis Training Materials

View and download training materials of the Introduction to Benefit-Cost Analysis course (E/L 0276).

Link to https://www.fema.gov/grants/tools/benefit-cost-analysis/training

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mitigation Matters!  

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