FEMA is using feedback from federally recognized tribal nations to shape policy and programmatic changes to improve equitable access to the Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program. FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate held its first-ever tribal consultation on June 22, 2022, to get feedback on tribal nation access to FEMA’s preparedness grant programs. Dozens of tribal leaders and representatives attended the consultation and provided feedback that FEMA used to propose legislative changes to improve access to preparedness funding. On Nov. 9, 2022, FEMA hosted a follow up tribal consultation to discuss proposed legislative changes to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to increase tribal access to the Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program. Tribal leaders and tribal representatives attended the consultation and provided feedback on the proposed legislative changes to improve their access in obtaining funding provided by the program. For fiscal year 2023, the program will provide $15 million to enhance the ability of tribal nations to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from potential terrorist attacks and other hazards. These tribal consultations follow many years of feedback from tribal leaders about FEMA’s preparedness grant programs. The consultations give participants a structured forum to ask questions and engage with senior leaders on their challenges and successes with various aspects of the programs. The proposed legislative changes to the Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program will reduce administrative burdens on tribal nations, making it easier for them to apply for and receive grant funding to prepare them for all hazards and build resilience across their communities. These efforts are consistent with consistent with the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan and the 2022-2026 National Tribal Strategy. To learn more about the Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program, visit FEMA.gov. FEMA is releasing more details of the $5.6 billion in funding requests from states, local communities, tribes and territories for two annual grant programs increasing protection from natural hazards. For the FY22 grant cycle, more than 1,000 requests for funding were submitted for the nearly $3 billion is available for mitigation grants, including $50 million set-aside for tribal nations. The agency first announced grants in March 2022. For the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, the agency received 802 subapplications totaling more than $4.6 billion from all states, territories and the District of Columbia. FEMA received requests for more than $55 million from 37 tribal governments. Funds were requested for these top project types: - Flood control such as channels and berms and other flood prevention projects.
- Utility and infrastructure protection such as elevating pump stations and waterproofing power facilities.
- Generators.
- Mitigation reconstruction including total or partial demolishing structures that later result in building a code-compliant structure.
- Stabilization and restoration such as installing erosion control measures like riprap that is placed along shorelines.
Nine states submitted applications totaling more than $200 million each in federal cost share. These are: Arizona, California, Florida. Louisiana, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Of the 802 submissions, FEMA received subapplications from 127 self-identified economically disadvantaged rural communities, a 15% increase from last year. For the Flood Mitigation Assistance program, the agency received 270 subapplications totaling nearly $980 million from 29 states, territories and the District of Columbia. Top project requests were for: - Flood control.
- Elevation of homes.
- Property acquisition.
- Mitigation reconstruction.
Of the 270 submissions, FEMA received subapplications from 20 communities self-identified as disadvantaged as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Social Vulnerability Index. Communities can use grants from these programs to better understand disaster risk vulnerability, conduct community-driven resilience, hazard mitigation planning and design, and implement transformational projects. FEMA is currently reviewing subapplications for eligibility and to ensure minimum program requirements are met. It anticipates announcing initial selections in late spring for mitigation planning, building codes and standards, project scoping and small-scale mitigation projects as well as direct technical assistance. For more information visit FEMA.gov. FEMA and the Natural Hazards Center will host a webinar focusing on the updated State and Local Mitigation Planning Policy guides. The webinar, "Equitable Engagement with Underserved Communities: An Update on State and Local Mitigation Planning Guidance and Research," will provide an overview of the guide that became effective this month. It is part of the Making Mitigation Work webinar series. The webinar will focus on how state and local governments can leverage their planning process to advance social equity and resilience goals. The webinar will cover resources from the National Hazards Center, such as risk communication and building partnerships with socially vulnerable populations. This webinar will be held from 11 a.m. - noon MT on Tuesday April 18. Register in advance. Continuing education credit opportunities are available for emergency managers and students. Please visit the webinar page here for more information of the credits offered. FEMA’s Office of National Continuity Programs released the “Reconstitution Manager’s Guide” to continuity and reconstitution staff across the federal executive branch. The guide is designed to consolidate information relevant to reconstitution planning from federal directives, policies, training programs and best practices into a single reference guide for reconstitution managers and team members. Presidential Policy Directive 40 requires federal executive branch departments and agencies provide for “reconstitution capabilities that allow for recovery from a catastrophic emergency and resumption of normal operations.” Federal Continuity Directive 1 provides specific requirements for reconstitution planning for federal departments and agencies. An organizational-level reconstitution program has several components and operates throughout all phases of continuity operations. The guide provides reconstitution staff at federal departments and agencies with program management resources to assist in their planning efforts to meet these policy requirements. The guide was a multi-agency effort by FEMA and its partners at the General Services Administration, National Archives and Records Administration and Office of Personnel Management. To learn more about continuity of operations for the government and private sector, go to FEMA.gov. FEMA is Accepting Revolving Loan Fund Applications FEMA is accepting applications to the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund grant program. Loans will be available to help local governments satisfy non-federal cost share requirements under FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs, update the adoption and enforcement of building codes and make zoning and land use changes. The program has been expanded to give 20 federally recognized tribal nations and 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. 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. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Nonprofit Security Grant Program Webinars Now Available FEMA invites nonprofit organizations to participate in upcoming webinars regarding the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The program provides funding support through a competitive process for facility hardening and other security enhancements to nonprofit organizations at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack. For all attendees, it is strongly recommended that you review the existing program resources available FEMA.gov. To attend a webinar, register in advance on FEMA.gov. Webinars will be held: If you have any questions regarding these webinars or require special accommodations, email FEMA-NSGP@fema.dhs.gov. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Pre-Disaster Mitigation Funding Applications Accepted Through April 14 On March 1, FEMA published the Fiscal Year 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. This funding opportunity makes approximately $233 million available to support 100 resilience-related projects nationwide. Communities and tribal nations with projects identified in the funding opportunity must apply for funding by 5 p.m. ET on April 14. For general questions about Pre-Disaster Mitigation congressional community projects, contact the appropriate State Hazard Mitigation Officer or FEMA regional office. The Hazard Mitigation Assistance Helpline is also available by telephone at 866-222-3580. If you require further assistance after navigating the resources listed above, e-mail FEMA-Ask-PDM@fema.dhs.gov. For more information, visit FEMA.gov. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. FEMA and DOE Co-Host Energy Resilience Webinar Series The Department of Energy invites FEMA stakeholders to participate in a series of energy storage webinars. Energy storage is the key to unleashing the power of renewables; relieving generation, transmission, distribution demands and hastening the transition to a decarbonized future. Experts from the national labs, regional agencies and other organizations will present and offer time for discussion and questions. Visit energy.sandia.gov to learn more and register for the webinars. The next webinar will be held at 1 p.m. ET on April 12, register in advance. Grants for microgrid projects are available through several FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs. Visit FEMA.gov to learn more. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. FEMA Exercise Support Applications Due June 1 FEMA provides state, local, tribal and territorial governments with no-cost technical assistance for exercises through the agency’s National Exercise Program. Support is tailored to the needs of the jurisdiction and can include assistance with exercise planning, design, scenario development, conduct and evaluation. Applications for 2023 exercise support is open now through June 1. There is no associated cost share for selected jurisdictions for this exercise assistance. Throughout April, FEMA is hosting webinars to discuss the exercise support process. All webinars will offer the same content. To attend one of the webinars, register in advance. For additional information, including the application process and frequently asked questions, visit FEMA.gov/NEP. For questions, email NEP@fema.dhs.gov and include “2023 Exercise Support Question” in the subject line. An invitation will be sent to participate in weekday office hour sessions. | 
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