| FEMA is announcing expansion to eligibility for a new grant program that provides revolving loans for resilience-related activities. The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund grant program has been expanded to give insular areas the same eligibility to apply as states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. As defined by the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act, insular areas are American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, any of the 20 federally recognized tribal nations that have received major disaster declarations are now eligible to apply. This removes the five-year window that limited the opportunity to 15 tribal nations. The changes are the result of omnibus bill signed by the president in December 2022. The bill included technical corrections expanding eligibility for the new program. The funding opportunity was originally released Dec. 20, 2022, on Grants.gov. The agency will accept applications for the program beginning Feb. 1. Loans will be available to help local governments satisfy non-federal cost share requirements under FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs, update building codes adoption, and enforcement and make zoning and land use changes. The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund complements and supplements FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant portfolio. The portfolio has multiple grant programs that support projects at the local government level to increase the nation's resilience to natural hazards and climate change. Initial funding opportunities will help to increase the public's understanding of the program. FEMA will work with participating communities to learn how to enhance the program in future iterations. FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance helps communities increase resilience to extreme heat waves, drought, wildfires, flood and hurricanes by funding transformational projects that reduce risk to multiple hazards, support adaptation to future conditions, and lessen the impact of all disasters on our nations most underserved residents and disadvantaged communities. The funding notice is available at Grants.gov. Eligible entities must apply for funding using the Non-Disaster (ND) Grants Management System (ND Grants). Applications must be received by 3 p.m. ET on April. 28. Visit FEMA.gov for more information. FEMA is soliciting public review and comment of its significantly revised information collection process. These changes aim to simplify an applicant's experience through the Public Assistance (PA) program and align the program with the agency's Strategic Goals. FEMA revised its information collection (OMB No. 1660-0017) to simplify and streamline the program, reduce administrative burden and incorporate a people-first approach. Key improvements of the new information collection practices include: - Simplifying applicant forms by reducing jargon and eliminating redundant questions.
- Implementing a risk-based approach by recognizing that not all applicants or projects require the same level of resources, documentation or oversight.
- Using technology to identify underserved communities to improve FEMA's resource allocation and staffing needs.
- Identifying all-hazards mitigation opportunities for applicant projects and reducing the burden to incorporate building codes and standards.
- Introducing climate adaptation resources available to reduce the risk of climate-related disasters.
- Introducing a project application that improves applicants' ability to enforce building codes and floodplain management regulations, increasing speed of recovery.
The notice is available to view on federalregister.gov. To submit a formal comment on this request for information by Feb. 13, click here. For more information about the revised information collection process, visit FEMA.gov. FEMA developed two new resources to help state mitigation programs work with FEMA regional offices. The first can be used to help plan annual program consultation meetings. The second can help enhanced state programs prepare for annual validations. Planning the Mitigation Consultation: Resources for States, DC and Territories consultation toolkit will help states, Washington, D.C. and territorial hazard mitigation planners work with FEMA to plan the annual consultation. A second resource, the Enhanced State Validation Toolkit, gives resources for FEMA and planners with enhanced state mitigation plans to use to jointly develop performance measures and commitments for the annual validations. These documents are meant to give state, Washington D.C. and territorial hazard mitigation planners the information and resources to proactively work with FEMA. To view and download the new resources, visit FEMA.gov. On Feb. 7, FEMA will host a non-credited webinar on completing a Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) for generator projects. This webinar will provide an overview of how to conduct an analysis using FEMA's BCA Toolkit as part of the requirements for the agency's Hazard Mitigation Assistance application. The webinar covers: - Obtaining required documentation.
- How to provide documentation.
- Inputs necessary for generator projects.
The target audience for this course are state, local, tribal and territorial emergency managers. The webinar is at 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Feb. 7. To register for the event, click here. Please note, this webinar is not a credited course and does NOT provide a certificate. Federal Coordinating Officers (FCOs) are the lead federal representatives during disasters. They coordinate the flow of disaster resources and information that bring together federal, state, tribal and territorial partners to help survivors recover from disasters. The application period is open to join this highly qualified group of professionals the President calls on to lead disaster response and recovery. FEMA is recruiting for 10 FCOs with duty stations across the country. The ideal candidate for this position is an effective communicator with experience building partnerships with diverse stakeholders and coordinating disaster response and recovery. FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Myra Shird detailed what it's like to be an FCO. Visit FEMA's YouTube page to check out her reasons for becoming a leader in emergency management. To find more information on and apply for this position, visit the job announcement at USAJobs.gov. FEMA is Accepting Applications for Assistance to Firefighters Grants FEMA has opened the application period for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grants. Applications are being accepted until 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 10. The funding notice is available at grants.gov. It can also be found, along with technical assistance documents and information about upcoming webinars to assist applicants, by visiting Assistance to Firefighters Grants | FEMA.gov. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. FEMA Seeks Leaders for Youth Preparedness Council FEMA is accepting applications for the Youth Preparedness Council. The online application process is open, and students must complete their applications by 11:59 p.m. PT on March 6. Teens in grades 8 - 11 who are interested in applying for the council can learn more about the process and have their questions answered in a webinar at 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 30. The webinar will walk students through the application process and give applicants a glimpse of what it's like to be on the council. Please register for this webinar in advance. If you know a teen interested in preparedness and community service, encourage them to apply. To learn more about the Youth Preparedness Council, visit FEMA.gov. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Webinars on 'Buy America' Preferences for FEMA Grant Programs FEMA is offering a series of one-hour briefings for all recipients and subrecipients under awards for 23 FEMA grant programs. These programs are now subject on the domestic preference requirements of the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA). The briefings will also cover best practices for documenting compliance with BABAA. Most disaster financial assistance programs are not subject to BABAA requirements. For a list of FEMA financial assistance programs not subject to BABAA please visit FEMA.gov Frequently Asked Questions, additional guidance, webinar information, resources and contact information can be found on FEMA's "Buy America" webpage. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. | 
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