Archive for the ‘FEMA’ Category
What does FEMA bring to a disaster?
Monday, October 9th, 2017Incident Management Assistance Teams
Incident Management Assistance Teams are made up of dedicated and experienced senior-level emergency management professionals that are able to deploy upon a moment’s notice when requested by the state. IMATs are generally consist of 10 members, with expertise in operations, logistics, planning, and recovery. They are a rapidly deployable asset to anywhere in the region or the country, supporting our states and territories in their emergency response efforts.
Teams provide a forward federal presence to facilitate the management of the national response to catastrophic incidents. The primary mission is three-fold:
- Rapidly deploy to an incident or potentially threatened venue
- Identify ways federal assistance could be used to best support the response and recovery efforts, should it become available
- Work with partners across jurisdictions to support the affected State or territory
One of the most important aspects is to support and take their direction from the state. As our mission states, FEMA’s role is to “support citizens and first responders”. After a disaster, state and local emergency responders, along with voluntary agencies and faith-based groups, are called on to meet the immediate needs of the affected community, and IMATs are FEMA’s team of experts that stand ready to support if they are called upon.
Urban Search & Rescue
Urban search and rescue (US&R) involves the location, rescue (extrication), and initial medical stabilization of individuals trapped in confined spaces. Structural collapse is most often the cause for people being trapped, but individuals may also be trapped in transportation accidents, mines, and collapsed trenches.
Urban search and rescue is considered a “multi-hazard” discipline, as it may be needed for a variety of emergencies or disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, storms, tornadoes, floods, dam failures, technological accidents, terrorist activities, and hazardous materials releases. The events may be slow in developing, as in the case of hurricanes, or sudden, as in the case of earthquakes.
Mobile Emergency Response Support Team (MERS)
FEMA’s Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) detachments provide mobile telecommunications, life
support, logistics, operational support and power generation during presidentially declared emergencies and
disasters required for the on-site management of disaster response activities. There are a total of five MERS
detachments nationwide, each supporting two FEMA regions. They are located in Bothell, Wash.; Denver, Colo.;
Maynard, Mass.; Denton, Texas; and Thomasville, Ga.
MERS’ primary function in disaster response operations involves communications support. MERS can deliver
voice, data, and video services in support of the response officials. They employ satellite, terrestrial, land mobile
radio, and line-of-sight transmission systems to deliver communications support for response and recovery
operations.
MERS also includes the Mobile Emergency Operations Vehicle (MEOV), self-contained mobile communications
vehicles with power generation and satellite communications that are deployed to provide mobile office support
such as video teleconferencing at locations with no infrastructure. The units vary in size and provide support and
location for a Command Post, Initial Operating Facility or a Joint Field Office. MEOVs are integrated
communications and operations platforms that also have served as Disaster Recovery Centers for a disasteraffected
community.
MERS units also provide logistical support for field operations including water, fuel, power generation, heating
ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and life support for responding personnel. In addition MERS provides
administrative support needed by federal, state and local responders in their efforts to save lives, protect property
and coordinate disaster operations.
MERS assets include:
Approximately 275 mobile units that provide emergency telecommunications, logistics and operations
support;
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning units that generate enough BTUs for a 16,000 square foot building;
Several truck-mounted generators, ranging from 20 to 400 kilowatts, for power generation and distribution
for several large facilities.
MERS detachments transport and distribute fuel via 1200, 2200 and 3500-gallon tankers. They can also transport
water via 3000-gallon tankers and, through a reverse osmosis purification unit, make brackish and salt water safe
and drinkable.
Office of Federal Disaster Coordination
The mission of the Office of Federal Disaster Coordination (OFDC) is to access, train, equip, and manage FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officers (FCO) and Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinators (FDRC) to ensure their availability for rapid deployment in response to any disaster; deliver training to develop and sustain FCO and FDRC professional competencies, and coordinate both FCO and FDRC assignments to meet the on-scene needs of FEMA and its emergency management partners.
Vision
Provide the highest quality leadership for field operations on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
OFDC Program Goal
Strengthen FEMA’s Operational Readiness – participate in key exercises, partner strategically with key organizations, implementation and sustain all-hazards capability, identify and leverage collateral specialies.
Provide exemplary national leadership at disasters and emergencies – facilitating efficient, effective, compassionate, fair, and consistent response, while ensuring the prudent use of resources; recognized leaders across all FEMA programs, flawless delivery.
Select and develop the right leader – purposive recruiting and hiring, strong diversity, exemplary training and credentialing, properly equipped and readily available.
Lead the Federal Disaster Coordination Cadres – program resource management responsibilities, develop field leadership doctrine, coordinate approval of field operations policy, serve as project advisors to major acquisitions/contracts, serve as instructors for field operations and emergency management.
Values
We embrace the FEMA Core Values of: Compassion, Fairness, Integrity and Respect
FEMA is coordinating a major federal effort in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) to rush much-needed care and commodities to Hurricane Irma survivors while supporting the restoration of basic services.
Sunday, September 17th, 2017Coordinated Efforts Underway to Meet Survivor Needs and Restore Basic Services in Virgin Islands
St. Croix, Virgin Islands – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is coordinating a major federal effort in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) to rush much-needed care and commodities to Hurricane Irma survivors while supporting the restoration of basic services.
One week since Hurricane Irma tore through the Virgin Islands, FEMA continues to work with the federal family, as well as territorial, local, private sector and voluntary agency partners, to respond to immediate survivor needs while jumpstarting the longer-term recovery effort.
“We know survivors are having a very tough time right now, but we want to assure them that FEMA, along with the entire federal family, is working tirelessly to help meet their needs,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William Vogel. “Recovery will require all of us, survivors included, working together.”
As of today, FEMA has sent more than 582,000 meals and 380,000 liters of water to the USVI for the response effort. These basic commodities, along with cots, diapers, baby formula, temporary roofing materials and other necessities, are going to local Points of Distribution in St. John and St. Thomas and to shelters operated by our recovery partner the American Red Cross and others. Additional commodities are arriving on a daily basis.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Departments of Defense (DoD), and Health and Human Services (HHS) are some of the federal agencies participating in the massive federal effort to assist the Virgin Islands and its people.
Generators have arrived in St. Thomas for installation in St. Thomas and St. John critical facilities, including shelters, hospitals, emergency service buildings and water treatment plants. USACE has deployed a Power Planning and Response Team to assist with assessments and generator installations in these critical facilities.
The Coast Guard cutter fleet from Sector San Juan, along with other Coast Guard cutters, are supporting Hurricane Irma relief efforts by providing maritime security, assisting with port assessments, as well as transporting supplies, equipment, Coast Guard teams and other government agency responders to St. John and St. Thomas. USCG is also working with Virgin Island and federal responders on coordinating the transportation of people who need to be evacuated from the island.
For the first time in history HHS medical personnel were embedded with DoD search and rescue teams to evacuate dialysis patients requiring treatment from USVI. Additional HHS personnel are providing medical assistance at hospitals in St. Thomas and St. John. In all, approximately 10,000 DoD and 100 HHS personnel are supporting response operations in the USVI and Puerto Rico.
The September 7 presidential disaster declaration for the Virgin Islands makes federal assistance available to eligible homeowners, renters and business owners affected by Hurricane Irma in St. John and St. Thomas.
Survivors who sustained uninsured or underinsured Irma-related damage to their homes, vehicles, personal property, business or its inventory beginning Sept. 6, 2017, and continuing should register for assistance.
Registration can be completed online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, in Spanish at www.DisasterAssistance.gov/es, or by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362.
The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week (local time) until further notice. Operators are standing by to assist survivors in English, Spanish and many other languages.
Federal Family Continues Response and Relief Operations Following Hurricane Irma
Friday, September 15th, 2017WASHINGTON – In the wake of Hurricane Irma, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is actively coordinating the efforts of the federal family, working alongside state and local emergency responders to help address the immediate needs of survivors.
More than 40,000 federal personnel are working in support of preparedness and response to Hurricane Irma, including more than 2,650 FEMA staff with additional staff continuing to deploy. Many federal agencies, including the U.S. Departments of State, Defense, Interior, and Homeland Security have deployed thousands of personnel to provide logistical support for commodities, employ search and rescue assets, as well as conduct damage assessments to develop and advance recovery efforts.
Search and rescue efforts continue in the Caribbean and the U.S. mainland. FEMA Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) task forces stationed in the Caribbean have conducted 1141 rescues, and in Florida, FEMA US&R saved 1,006 lives. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) have rescued 326 people and saved 53 pets. The U.S. Coast Guard has also answered more than 1750 emergency phone calls at their headquarters facility.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is coordinating with its partners to facilitate communications, provide situational awareness, and expedite restoration efforts. More than 60,000 personnel are activated from more than 250 investor-owned electric companies, public power utilities, and electric cooperatives from all corners of the United States and Canada, who are dedicated to the essential work of power restoration. Patience is still required, but progress is being made, and private sector partners report that about 50% of power is restored across the affected areas.
As of September 14, 2017, FEMA transferred approximately 6.6 million meals and 4.7 million liters of water to states in the Southeast, at the states’ requests. In addition, nearly 578,000 meals, 383,000 liters of water, 13,600 sheeting covers, 150 rolls of blue tarps, and 30 generators were transferred to St. Thomas and St. John. Currently, FEMA has the following commodities positioned in staging areas across the impacted areas, to be transferred to states and tribes upon their request:
- Alabama: more than 7.2 million meals, more than 13.6 million liters of water;
- Florida: more than 315,000 meals, more than 390,000 liters of water, 151 generators;
- Georgia: more than 500,000 meals, 30 generators;
- North Carolina: more than 340,000 meals, 2.1 million liters of water, 57 generators;
- South Carolina: more than 717,000 meals, 1.8 million liters of water.
Survivors should not return home until local officials have deemed the area safe for return. Avoid downed power or utility lines; they may be live with deadly voltage. Stay away and report them immediately to your power or utility company.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and FEMA Advise Disaster Applicants to Beware of Rumors, Misinformation, and Fraud. Federal and state workers do not ask for, or accept, money. FEMA staff will never charge applicants for disaster assistance, home inspections, or help filling out applications. Stay alert for false promises to speed up the insurance, disaster assistance, or building permit process. If fraud is suspected, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud’s hotline at 1-866-720-5721, or email the organization at disaster@leo.gov.
For those in designated areas in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, registering online, at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, is the quickest way to register for federal assistance, including FEMA assistance.If you do not have access to the internet, you may register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). If you use 711 relay or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362 directly.
FEMA has received a total of 154,800 registrations to date, and already approved $21 million for Hurricane Irma survivors. As it becomes safe for people to return to their homes, we expect registration numbers to increase.
Federal Efforts Underway
- The American Red Cross (ARC) is operationally focused on safety, shelter, food, which includes shelf stable meals, and positioning personnel and supplies. On short notice, an estimated 22,000 people sought refuge from Hurricane Irma in as many as 200 government and Red Cross evacuation centers across six states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To date, the ARC have served more than 154,000 meals and snacks.
- Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) deployed 23 AmeriCorps Disaster Response Teams including FEMA Corps, to Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico to support the American Red Cross, FEMA, and Save the Children. In coordination with local partner, Volunteer Florida, additional locally-serving AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members have been put on standby as CNCS assesses additional needs. CNCS is directing people to NationalService.gov/Irma to find updates about volunteering and urging people to sign up to volunteer in the state of Florida.
- U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Temporary Roofing Planning and Response Team (PRT) arrived in USVI Monday. The PRT conducted an assessment of high priority critical facilities in St. Thomas. USACE currently have more than 350 personnel engaged and have received 39 FEMA Mission Assignments (MA).
- In Florida: Temporary Roofing experts are coordinating a flyover of South Florida residential areas to identify potential mission areas. USACE mobilized contractors to South Florida and worked with area shelters to identify debris removal requirements.
- In USVI/Puerto Rico: New FEMA mission assigned activities include Deployed Tactical Operations System (DTOS) or mobile communications Support, Water/Wastewater, Temporary Housing, Unwatering experts, Logistics Support, and GIS Specialists.
- The U.S. National Guard Bureau (NGB) is responding to Hurricane Irma with 17,000 soldiers and airmen from all over the country in rescue, evacuation, security, and support operations, with nearly 5,300 more en route to the affected areas.
- In Florida, National Guard soldiers and airmen are conducting assessments using satellite and aerial imagery, while also performing route clearing to deliver fuel and lifesaving, essential resources. Utility restoration is underway to allow citizens to return home.
- In Saint Martin, the National Guard is continuing evacuation operations with over 1,600 U.S. citizens evacuated thus far.
- U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) is working with FEMA to support authorities in Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing life-saving and life-sustaining relief to those in affected areas. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the USS Kearsarge and USS Oak Hill continue to work moving people and supplies to the islands. The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived near the Florida Keys Tuesday afternoon and its helicopters immediately started assessments and evaluations of airfields for state and local authorities.
- The U.S. Marine Corps’ (USMC) stationed 500 Marines in the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist clearing the roads and removing debris for people and vehicles to pass.
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Temporary Roofing Planning and Response Team (PRT) arrived in USVI Monday. The PRT conducted an assessment of high priority critical facilities in St. Thomas. USACE currently have more than 350 personnel engaged and have received 39 FEMA Mission Assignments (MA).
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) continues to work closely with its interagency and private sector partners to ensure that fuel remains available the states impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. DOE worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and states to support issuing proper waivers to provide flexibility in the market that alleviates some fuel logistics issues and recovery operations. DOE also authorized release of 5.3 million barrels of crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, of which 2.8 million have been delivered as of September 13.
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is monitoring the status of communications networks in the areas affected by Hurricane Irma, and created a dedicated webpage for daily communications status reports, information, and resources related to the hurricane, including tips for communicating during an emergency.
- The General Services Administration (GSA) is releasing federal building re-openings by state via social media and can be found at the following links: @USGSA, Facebook, Blog. For more information on general building statuses, visit gsa.gov/facilitystatus.
- USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov continue to support federal agency messaging efforts on their home pages and are compiling federal agency updates and messaging on their Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey pages found at https://www.usa.gov/hurricane-irma, https://gobierno.usa.gov/huracan-irma and https://www.usa.gov/hurricane-harvey and https://gobierno.usa.gov/huracan-harvey respectively.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided data to public health authorities in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist them in reaching Medicare beneficiaries who rely on any of 14 types of electrically powered medical equipment at home—such as electric wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators home ventilators—or home health services. Power outages become life-or-death situations for people with these medical conditions.
- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sharing information about Carbon Monoxide and generator safety: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/co-materials.html. CDC also distributed the Health Alert Notice on Carbon Monoxide to the impacted states in both Spanish and English, and have sent guidance on carbon monoxide safety to home improvement stores and other partners in the affected regions.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will speed federal disaster assistance to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters from their homes due to Hurricane Irma. For more information, visit https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD.
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Elaine Duke extended the limited Jones Act Waiver initially signed on September 8 at the recommendation of the Departments of Defense and Energy. Due to the severe disruptions of the oil supply system resulting from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the extended waiver will facilitate movement of refined petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, to be shipped from New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico. Effective immediately, this waiver applies to covered merchandise laded on board a vessel through and including September 22, 2017.
- The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) continues to update the operational status of their offices impacted by Hurricane Irma – in English and Spanish – via web posting on www.uscis.gov and amplified on social media and www.usa.gov. In addition, the Special Situations page https://uscis.gov/special-situations continues to be available detailing how natural catastrophes may affect petitions, applications, and immigration status.
- Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) reissued Tips for Effective Communication with the Whole Community, which includes civil rights guidance on communicating with persons with disabilities and other access and functional needs. CRCL continues to participate on daily calls with national and local disability stakeholders, and closely coordinate with FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination on issues that arise. They have sent out a message with a comprehensive list of CRCL and other federal disaster resources specifically for persons with disabilities, as well as emergency providers that interact with them. These resources can also be found on our Disaster Preparedness and Disability Access webpages.
- The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) continues to work with federal and state partners on search and rescue response and port reconstitution in the wake of Hurricane Irma. All ports in Florida, with the exception of Key West, are open, though many with restrictions. Coast Guard Aids to Navigation teams are focused on restoring maritime aids to navigation damaged in the storm to facilitate safe delivery of critical relief supplies to impacted areas. Coast Guard teams are also conducting water rescues, saving more than 320 lives to date.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) created a Hurricane Irma Centralized repository on CBP.gov, emphasizing operational assets ready across the state of Florida as most airports and seaports have reopened and resumed operations. Click to VIEW coverage or see @CBPFlorida.
- The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has twelve law enforcement personnel assisting the Disaster Medical Deployment Team in St. Thomas. An additional six personnel have deployed to St. Thomas to assist with reconstitution efforts.
- The National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) support for restoration and recovery efforts continues, with an emerging focus on power restoration and fuel prioritization to support emergency services and critical infrastructure.
- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) deployed 60 personnel to Miami International Airport on September 11, 2017. Teams from airports in Los Angeles, Boston, and San Francisco were also deployed. TSA deployed 166 screening personnel from additional airports on September 12 to impacted areas.
- The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) provided an overview of Department of Interior and partner support for the hurricane-battered U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, Secretary Ryan Zinke talked about Hurricane Irma on September 12. Interior currently has a total of 220 personnel supporting FEMA missions related to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irma including 57 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel continuing real-time field measurements and daily reporting of water heights in Puerto Rico, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida; and 140 staff providing law enforcement support for search and rescue and other FEMA functions. With multiple national parks and wildlife refuges impacted by the hurricanes throughout the Southeast, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, the National Park Service (NPS) Eastern Incident Management Team (IMT) relocated its response operations to Everglades National Park while two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service IMTs have arrived in Tallahassee, along with one Saw Team from North Carolina in Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) law enforcement components are participating in quick response teams in Florida and Texas, and are assisting and preparing to assist local response and recovery efforts in the wake of both Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. The Department announced antitrust guidance for businesses taking part in relief efforts and those involved in rebuilding communities affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Also, the National Center for Disaster Fraud continues to provide messages to help the public avoid and to report Hurricane relief fraud schemes. The NCDF Disaster Fraud Hotline is (866) 720-5721. The Bureau of Prisons is providing updates at www.bop.gov.
- The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) offices in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands remain closed. All offices in South Carolina and Georgia have re-opened. They also expect the following offices in Florida to re-open Wednesday: the Pensacola, Ft. Walton Beach, Panama City, and Marianna field offices, as well as the Orlando, Tallahassee, and Tampa hearing offices. The SSA is working with the United States Postal Service (USPS) to ensure the benefit payments are received. In Florida, the USPS transported paper checks via express mail Tuesday to post offices for delivery Wednesday. The USPS website will show any service disruptions and alternate pick up locations for mail.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability, in Spanish and English, of SBA disaster loans to residents and businesses in Florida. They encourage hurricane survivors to register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
- U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) deployed a mobile air traffic control tower to St. Thomas and continues to work cross-agency and with airlines to conduct relief flights to affected islands. The FAA also issued over 30 special government interest authorizations to drone operators to conduct damage assessment and infrastructure inspection.
- The U.S. Department of Treasury (DOTreas) activated the Financial and Banking Information Infrastructure Committee (FBIIC) communications protocols and will continue monitoring key financial sector infrastructure in the Hurricane Irma impact zone.
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is giving tax relief to survivors for Hurricane Irma. They also released news that include: Like Harvey, Retirement Plans Can Make Loans, Hardship Distributions to Victims of Hurricane Irma. The www.irs.gov/hurricaneirma page is now live with updated local news releases for Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) continues to restore services where it’s safe to do so. USPS provided Meals-Ready-to-Eat and water, conducted wellness checks, and communicated Post Office facilities open in certain areas. In Florida, the USPS is delivering mail. All facilities in Puerto Rico are open except for three post offices. Deliveries are able to be made in St. Croix when it is safe to do so.
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) deployed two liaisons – one each to Valdosta, Georgia, and to the Florida State EOC in Tallahassee, Fla. – to assist with HHS mission requirements. Several VA outpatient clinics and facilities throughout the state of Florida have reopened to resume services for veterans.
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President Donald J. Trump’s emergency disaster declaration issued for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Thursday, September 7th, 2017President Donald J. Trump Signs Emergency Declaration for Puerto Rico
Federal Aid Programs for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Emergency Declaration
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to supplement commonwealth and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions in the area affected by Hurricane Irma beginning on September 5, 2017 and continuing.
The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in all 78 municipalities in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.
Alejandro DeLaCampa has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. DeLaCampa said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Commonwealth and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
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FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO EMERGENCY DECLARATION
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Donald J. Trump’s emergency disaster declaration issued for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Assistance for the Commonwealth and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
- FEMA is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.
- Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide debris removal (Category A) and emergency protective measures (Category B), including to direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding.
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FEMA: CPG 101, Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans, Version 2
Saturday, July 22nd, 2017Guide CPG 101 is designed to help both novice and experienced planners navigate the planning process. Used in its entirety, this Guide provides information and instruction on the fundamentals of planning and their application. Chapters 1 and 2 lay the foundation for planning efforts by providing information on the basics of planning (Chapter 1) and the environment within which planners function (Chapter 2). With an understanding of these fundamentals, the Guide then transitions from theory to practice by discussing the different plan formats and functions (Chapter 3) and moving into an explanation of the planning process (Chapter 4). A detailed checklist, building upon Chapters 3 and 4, is provided in Appendix C. Because Appendix C provides a set of detailed questions to consider throughout the planning process, users are encouraged to copy or remove this checklist and employ it as they work through the planning process in Chapter 4.
FEMA: An overview of the National Preparedness System.
Tuesday, July 11th, 2017The National Preparedness System is intended to be used by the whole community. The intended audience for this page is individuals, families, communities, the private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, and local, state, tribal, territorial, insular area, and Federal governments. If you have any questions, please contact the National Integration Center at FEMA-NIC@fema.dhs.gov.
Introduction
Every day, we take steps to keep our nation safe and ensure that we thrive after disasters occur. Whether we face risks related to earthquakes, cyber attacks or chemical spills, our goal is shared: safety and resilience.
The National Preparedness System outlines an organized process for everyone in the whole community to move forward with their preparedness activities and achieve the National Preparedness Goal.
The National Preparedness System has six parts:
Identifying and Assessing Risk. This part involves collecting historical and recent data on existing, potential and perceived threats and hazards. The results of these risk assessments form the basis for the remaining steps.
Estimating Capability Requirements. Next, you can determine the specific capabilities and activities to best address those risks. Some capabilities may already exist and some may need to be built or improved. FEMA provides a list of core capabilities related to protection, prevention, mitigation, response and recovery, the five mission areas of preparedness. To see a full list of the core capabilities, including details about each one, visit our Core Capabilities page on this site.
Building and Sustaining Capabilities. This involves figuring out the best way to use limited resources to build capabilities. You can use the risk assessment to prioritize resources to address the highest probability or highest consequence threats.
Planning to Deliver Capabilities. Because preparedness efforts involve and affect the whole community, it’s important that you coordinate your plans with other organizations. This includes all parts of the whole community: individuals, businesses, nonprofits, community and faith-based groups, and all levels of government.
Validating Capabilities. Now it’s time to see if your activities are working as intended. Participating in exercises, simulations or other activities helps you identify gaps in your plans and capabilities. It also helps you see progress toward meeting preparedness goals. Please visit the National Exercise Division for more information.
Reviewing and Updating. It is important to regularly review and update all capabilities, resources and plans. Risks and resources evolve—and so should your preparedness efforts.
Specific Tools and Resources
Depending on your role in the community, you may be in need of specific tools and resources to help you through the cycle of the National Preparedness System. We’ve listed a few below, along with links for more information.
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA). Guidance for conducting a THIRA at all levels of government can be found in Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 201: Second Edition.
Operations Plans. Guidance for creating these plans can be found in Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101: Second Edition.
National Incident Management System. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a systematic, proactive approach to guide organizations in managing all types of incidents. Information about NIMS – including supporting tools and materials – can be found on the NIMS web page.
National Planning System. The National Planning System provides a unified approach and common terminology to support the implementation of the National Preparedness System through plans that support an all threats and hazards approach to preparedness. These plans—whether strategic, operational, or tactical—enable the whole community to build, sustain, and deliver the core capabilities identified in the National Preparedness Goal.
Download Materials
National Preparedness System full document
CPG 201: Second Edition
CPG 101: Second Edition
National Incident Management System
National Planning System
Last Updated:
12/20/2016 – 12:26
FEMA: An overview of the five mission areas.
Tuesday, July 11th, 2017Mission Areas
The purpose of this page is to provide an overview of the five mission areas. The intended audience for this page is individuals, families, communities, the private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, and local, state, tribal, territorial, insular area, and Federal governments.
Introduction
The National Preparedness Goal identified five mission areas, in which it groups the 32 core capabilities (the distinct critical elements needed to achieve the goal).
- Prevention
- Protection
- Mitigation
- Response
- Recovery
Prevention
Description: The Prevention mission area comprises the capabilities necessary to avoid, prevent or stop a threatened or actual act of terrorism. It is focused on ensuring we are optimally prepared to prevent an imminent terrorist attack within the United States.
Prevention Core Capabilities:
- Planning
- Public Information and Warning
- Operational Coordination
- Forensics and Attribution
- Intelligence and Information Sharing
- Interdiction and Disruption
- Screening, Search, and Detection
See the core capabilities page for further descriptions.
Protection
Description: The Protection Framework houses “the capabilities necessary to secure the homeland against acts of terrorism and manmade or natural disasters.”
Protection Core Capabilities:
- Planning
- Public Information and Warning
- Operational Coordination
- Access Control and Identity Verification
- Cybersecurity
- Intelligence and Information Sharing
- Interdiction and Disruption
- Physical Protective Measures
- Risk Management for Protection Programs and Activities
- Screening, Search, and Detection
- Supply Chain Integrity and Security
See the core capabilities page for further descriptions.
Mitigation
Description: Mitigation comprises “the capabilities necessary to reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.”
Mitigation Core Capabilities:
- Planning
- Public Information and Warning
- Operational Coordination
- Community Resilience
- Long-Term Vulnerability Reduction
- Risk and Disaster Resilience Assessment
- Threats and Hazards Identification
See the core capabilities page for further descriptions.
Response
Description: Response comprises “the capabilities necessary to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs after an incident has occurred.”
Response Core Capabilities:
- Planning
- Public Information and Warning
- Operational Coordination
- Critical Transportation
- Environmental Response/Health and Safety
- Fatality Management Services
- Fire Management and Suppression
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Infrastructure Systems
- Mass Care Services
- Mass Search and Rescue Operations
- On-Scene Security, Protection, and Law Enforcement
- Operational Communications
- Public Health, Healthcare, and Medical Services
- Situational Assessment
See the core capabilities page for further descriptions.
Recovery
Description: Recovery comprises “the core capabilities necessary to assist communities affected by an incident to recover effectively.”
Recovery Core Capabilities:
- Planning
- Public Information and Warning
- Operational Coordination
- Economic Recovery
- Health and Social Services
- Housing
- Infrastructure Systems
- Natural and Cultural Resources
See the core capabilities page for further descriptions.
FEMA: 32 core capabilities identified in the National Preparedness Goal
Friday, July 7th, 2017These capabilities are referenced in many national preparedness efforts, including the National Planning Frameworks. The Goal grouped the capabilities into five mission areas, based on where they most logically fit. Some fall into only one mission area, while some others apply to several mission areas.
Planning
- Mission Areas: All
- Description: Conduct a systematic process engaging the whole community as appropriate in the development of executable strategic, operational, and/or tactical-level approaches to meet defined objectives.
Public Information and Warning
- Mission Areas: All
- Description: Deliver coordinated, prompt, reliable, and actionable information to the whole community through the use of clear, consistent, accessible, and culturally and linguistically appropriate methods to effectively relay information regarding any threat or hazard, as well as the actions being taken and the assistance being made available, as appropriate.
Operational Coordination
- Mission Areas: All
- Description: Establish and maintain a unified and coordinated operational structure and process that appropriately integrates all critical stakeholders and supports the execution of core capabilities.
Forensics and Attribution
- Mission Area: Prevention
- Description: Conduct forensic analysis and attribute terrorist acts (including the means and methods of terrorism) to their source, to include forensic analysis as well as attribution for an attack and for the preparation for an attack in an effort to prevent initial or follow-on acts and/or swiftly develop counter-options.
Intelligence and Information Sharing
- Mission Areas: Prevention, Protection
- Description: Provide timely, accurate, and actionable information resulting from the planning, direction, collection, exploitation, processing, analysis, production, dissemination, evaluation, and feedback of available information concerning physical and cyber threats to the United States, its people, property, or interests; the development, proliferation, or use of WMDs; or any other matter bearing on U.S. national or homeland security by local, state, tribal, territorial, Federal, and other stakeholders. Information sharing is the ability to exchange intelligence, information, data, or knowledge among government or private sector entities, as appropriate.
Interdiction and Disruption
- Mission Areas: Prevention, Protection
- Description: Delay, divert, intercept, halt, apprehend, or secure threats and/or hazards.
Screening, Search, and Detection
- Mission Areas: Prevention, Protection
- Description: Identify, discover, or locate threats and/or hazards through active and passive surveillance and search procedures. This may include the use of systematic examinations and assessments, biosurveillance, sensor technologies, or physical investigation and intelligence.
Access Control and Identity Verification
- Mission Area: Protection
- Description: Apply and support necessary physical, technological, and cyber measures to control admittance to critical locations and systems.
Cybersecurity
- Mission Area: Protection
- Description: Protect (and if needed, restore) electronic communications systems, information, and services from damage, unauthorized use, and exploitation.
Physical Protective Measures
- Mission Area: Protection
- Description: Implement and maintain risk-informed countermeasures, and policies protecting people, borders, structures, materials, products, and systems associated with key operational activities and critical infrastructure sectors.
Risk Management for Protection Programs and Activities
- Mission Area: Protection
- Description: Identify, assess, and prioritize risks to inform Protection activities, countermeasures, and investments.
Supply Chain Integrity and Security
- Mission Area: Protection
- Description: Strengthen the security and resilience of the supply chain.
Community Resilience
- Mission Area: Mitigation
- Description: Enable the recognition, understanding, communication of, and planning for risk and empower individuals and communities to make informed risk management decisions necessary to adapt to, withstand, and quickly recover from future incidents.
Long-term Vulnerability Reduction
- Mission Area: Mitigation
- Description: Build and sustain resilient systems, communities, and critical infrastructure and key resources lifelines so as to reduce their vulnerability to natural, technological, and human-caused threats and hazards by lessening the likelihood, severity, and duration of the adverse consequences.
Risk and Disaster Resilience Assessment
- Mission Area: Mitigation
- Description: Assess risk and disaster resilience so that decision makers, responders, and community members can take informed action to reduce their entity’s risk and increase their resilience.
Threats and Hazards Identification
- Mission Area: Mitigation
- Description: Identify the threats and hazards that occur in the geographic area; determine the frequency and magnitude; and incorporate this into analysis and planning processes so as to clearly understand the needs of a community or entity.
Critical Transportation
- Mission Area: Response
- Description: Provide transportation (including infrastructure access and accessible transportation services) for response priority objectives, including the evacuation of people and animals, and the delivery of vital response personnel, equipment, and services into the affected areas.
Environmental Response/Health and Safety
- Mission Area: Response
- Description: Conduct appropriate measures to ensure the protection of the health and safety of the public and workers, as well as the environment, from all-hazards in support of responder operations and the affected communities.
Fatality Management Services
- Mission Area: Response
- Description: Provide fatality management services, including decedent remains recovery and victim identification, working with local, state, tribal, territorial, insular area, and Federal authorities to provide mortuary processes, temporary storage or permanent internment solutions, sharing information with mass care services for the purpose of reunifying family members and caregivers with missing persons/remains, and providing counseling to the bereaved.
Fire Management and Suppression
- Mission Area: Response
- Description: Provide structural, wildland, and specialized firefighting capabilities to manage and suppress fires of all types, kinds, and complexities while protecting the lives, property, and the environment in the affected area.
Infrastructure Systems
- Mission Area: Response, Recovery
- Description: Stabilize critical infrastructure functions, minimize health and safety threats, and efficiently restore and revitalize systems and services to support a viable, resilient community.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Mission Area: Response
- Description: Deliver essential commodities, equipment, and services in support of impacted communities and survivors, to include emergency power and fuel support, as well as the coordination of access to community staples. Synchronize logistics capabilities and enable the restoration of impacted supply chains.
Mass Care Services
- Mission Area: Response
- Description: Provide life-sustaining and human services to the affected population, to include hydration, feeding, sheltering, temporary housing, evacuee support, reunification, and distribution of emergency supplies.
Mass Search and Rescue Operations
- Mission Area: Response
- Description: Deliver traditional and atypical search and rescue capabilities, including personnel, services, animals, and assets to survivors in need, with the goal of saving the greatest number of endangered lives in the shortest time possible.
On-scene Security, Protection, and Law Enforcement
- Mission Area: Response
- Description: Ensure a safe and secure environment through law enforcement and related security and protection operations for people and communities located within affected areas and also for response personnel engaged in lifesaving and life-sustaining operations.
Operational Communications
- Mission Area: Response
- Description: Ensure the capacity for timely communications in support of security, situational awareness, and operations by any and all means available, among and between affected communities in the impact area and all response forces.
Public Health, Healthcare, and Emergency Medical Services
- Mission Area: Response
- Description: Provide lifesaving medical treatment via Emergency Medical Services and related operations and avoid additional disease and injury by providing targeted public health, medical, and behavioral health support, and products to all affected populations.
Situational Assessment
- Mission Area: Response
- Description: Provide all decision makers with decision-relevant information regarding the nature and extent of the hazard, any cascading effects, and the status of the response.
Economic Recovery
- Mission Area: Recovery
- Description: Return economic and business activities (including food and agriculture) to a healthy state and develop new business and employment opportunities that result in an economically viable community.
Health and Social Services
- Mission Area: Recovery
- Description: Restore and improve health and social services capabilities and networks to promote the resilience, independence, health (including behavioral health), and well-being of the whole community.
Housing
- Mission Area: Recovery
- Description: Implement housing solutions that effectively support the needs of the whole community and contribute to its sustainability and resilience.
Natural and Cultural Resources
- Mission Area: Recovery
- Description: Protect natural and cultural resources and historic properties through appropriate planning, mitigation, response, and recovery actions to preserve, conserve, rehabilitate, and restore them consistent with post-disaster community priorities and best practices and in compliance with applicable environmental and historic preservation laws and executive orders.
Wilson County, NC & Hurricane Matthew: The Aftermath
Saturday, November 12th, 2016
Nov 10, 2016
By Olivia Neeley
The Wilson Daily Times
- More than 530 Wilson County residents registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance after Hurricane Matthew
- The 530-plus individuals FEMA assisted received more than $640,000 disbursement in funds countywide.
- The 911 Communications Center received 2,500 calls for service over the three-day period during and after Hurricane Matthew.
- There were roughly 230 water rescues performed during the height of the storm, most of which were vehicles rescues and getting people out of houses that were threatened by water.
- Two people were also killed in Wilson County as a result of moving water in the roadways. Their vehicles were swept away.
“The poorest of the poor in North Carolina are the ones who are being hurt the most by these floods,” Gov. Pat McCrory.
Friday, October 14th, 2016“…..By Thursday, $2.6 million in aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency had been disbursed and 14,000 people had applied for aid.
Individual assistance from FEMA, which has averaged about $2,000 a family in recent years, is designed to help with immediate needs — like temporary rental housing, repairs not covered by insurance, and the replacement of critical personal items — but those grants are somewhat limited…..”