Coronavirus
FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Tops $600 Million
Nearly 2,500 dedicated personnel continue to work with applicants to manually review every application and determine eligibility each week. Keep Reading
Federal Government Survey Finds Employee Satisfaction in How Agencies Dealt with COVID-19
Out of the 17 total large agencies, the Department of Homeland Security ranked last with an engagement score of 61.1. Of the department's components, the United States Coast Guard ranked highest. Keep Reading
Hurricane Harvey Housing Assistance Lacked Necessary Controls, OIG Finds
FEMA and the state had to develop and finalize implementation guidelines after signing the IGSA, delaying TxGLO’s disaster response. Keep Reading
OIG: FEMA’s Lack of DMA 2000 Compliance Hinders Ability to Reduce Repetitive Damage to Roads and Bridges
According to FEMA officials, the component has instead focused on other tasks necessary to carry out its mission. Therefore, FEMA has not published regulations and related policies, as required by the DMA 2000, to provide an incentive to reduce repetitive damages. Keep Reading
Coronavirus
FEMA Sees Greater Need for Private-Sector Partnerships in COVID-19 Supply Chain Lessons
Criswell tells Congress that supply chain security is a priority along with equity and inclusion for disaster survivors and staff. Keep Reading
FEMA Amends COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Policy
This policy change will allow applicants to submit a statement or letter from the death certificate’s certifying official, medical examiner, or coroner that attributes the death to COVID-19 fatalities that occurred between Jan. 20 and May 16, 2020. Keep Reading
NTED Updates Course Catalog for Emergency Responders
The training sessions are intended for individuals who are already certified first responders and can be organized through one’s local jurisdiction. Keep Reading
Milestones Mark West Virginia’s Road to Recovery Five Years After 2016 Disaster
Five years after severe storms, floods, mudslides and landslides devastated large swaths of central and southern West Virginia on June 22-29, 2016, the state continues on its road to recovery and is working to develop resilience against future disasters. Keep Reading
FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Nears $280 Million
The national average for an award is $6,756, as nearly 2,500 FEMA employees continue working with applicants to manually review every application, determining eligibility each week. Keep Reading
DHS Budget: FEMA Funding Request Focused on Climate Resilience, Incident Response
The $28 billion FEMA budget request is nearly $1.9 billion more than the amount enacted in fiscal year 2021. Keep Reading
Increase Psychological Situational Awareness for Emergency Responders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a major mental health issue, but it is not our primary mental health problem. It trails relationship issues, financial issues, substance abuse, depression and legal concerns. Keep Reading
FEMA Gets Injection of Disaster Mitigation Funds as Active Storm, Wildfire Seasons Loom
The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1. NOAA said it expects three to five major hurricanes this season. Keep Reading
COLUMN: Rethinking Disaster Readiness Before a Potentially Active Summer
As we have seen with the ongoing COVID-19 response, the private sector truly controls a community’s destiny. Keep Reading
GAO Says FEMA Made Progress in Approving Puerto Rico Projects, But Should Identify Risks to Recovery
As of January 15, 2021, FEMA obligated $23.8 billion in Public Assistance funds to Puerto Rico for the 2017 hurricanes ($23.5 billion), 2019 and 2020 earthquakes ($243.8 million) and 2020 COVID-19 response ($59.7 million). Keep Reading
Coronavirus
FEMA Announces Operational Guidance for Disaster Response and Recovery in Pandemic Environment
This document serves as a tool for governments, outlining not only guidance based on lessons learned and best practices, but also guidance related to new priorities that have arisen in recent months. Keep Reading
Mayorkas Swears in Deanne Criswell as FEMA Administrator
During the ceremony, Secretary Mayorkas highlighted Ms. Criswell’s extensive career in emergency management and the multiple challenges FEMA faces, including the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. Keep Reading
Senate Confirms Deanne Criswell as First Woman to Lead FEMA
Criswell, who was appointed commissioner of the New York City Emergency Management Department in 2019, was nominated as the next FEMA administrator on Feb. 22. Keep Reading
Mayorkas Announces New DHS Commitments to Address the Climate Crisis at Leaders Summit on Climate
Mayorkas announced the launch of the DHS Climate Change Action Group, a coordinating body composed of the Department’s senior leadership that will drive urgent action to address the climate crisis and will report directly to the Secretary. Keep Reading
Coronavirus
FEMA Partners with Indian Health Service for Mobile COVID Vaccination Units to Serve Northern Plains
Two mobile vaccinations units will be operating on schedules running through the end of May. The units will be making two stops in each community, so that both doses of the vaccine can be delivered. Keep Reading
COLUMN: The Moral Hazard of Underinsurance
Rebuilding disaster-devasted communities costs much more than implementing stronger codes and mitigation. Keep Reading