Thursday, December 20, 2018

Need Your Input. NIMS Alert 38-18: National Engagement Period: National Qualification System (NQS) Supplemental Guidance. December 2018


Get involved locally and nationally.

Review the douments (https://www.fema.gov/national-incident-management-system/national-engagement), and provide your input individually, or as a group. 

Your membership in BEMA International promotes your input as part of the ‘whole community’.

Get involved.

CDS.  CEO BEMA International


National Engagement Period: National Qualification System (NQS) Supplemental Guidance

FEMA’s National Integration Center is seeking public feedback on several National Qualification System (NQS) documents that enhance interoperability and the effectiveness of mutual aid.

This National Engagement Period will conclude at 5:00 p.m. EST on January 24, 2019. The National Engagement Period provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment on newly developed supplemental guidance.  

Today’s release includes:
NIMS NQS Supplemental Guide for Coaches and Evaluators that provides processes, procedures, and tools to assist authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) develop and maintain coaching and evaluating programs as part of the larger qualification process; andNIMS NQS Supplemental Guide for QRBs that provide basic processes and procedures to assist AHJs develop and maintain a QRB as part of the larger certification process.

To support partner and stakeholder adoption, FEMA is hosting a series of 60-minute webinars to discuss the NQS supporting tools and answer questions. All webinars are open to the whole community, including individuals and communities, the private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, and all governments.

The schedule is below.  All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Webinar 1: Thursday December 27, 2018, 1:00pm-2:00pm

Webinar 2: Monday January 7, 2019, 3:00pm-4:00pm

Webinar 3: Tuesday January 15, 2019, 10:00am-11:00am

Webinar 4: Thursday January 17, 2019, 5:00pm-6:00pm

Webinar 5: Tuesday January 22, 2019, 3:00pm-4:00pm

Webinar participants will have an opportunity to provide feedback to NIMS representatives during the webinars. After a short presentation, the NIC representatives will answer any technical questions participants may have.
To review the documents and for additional webinar information, visit:

To provide comments on the draft, complete the feedback form on the webpage listed above and submit the form to FEMA-NIMS@fema.dhs.gov.   

Thank you for your input and continued support. Together, we make our nation more secure and resilient.



Black Emergency Managers Association 
          International
1231  Good Hope Road  S.E.
Washington, D.C.  20020
Office:   202-618-9097 
bEMA International 
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Change without Sacrifice is an Illusion.  Lisa Ellis








Monday, December 17, 2018

$$$ Haiti. Digicel Foundation Grants. Application period passed.

http://www.digicelfoundation.org/digicelfoundation-org/haiti/en/home/programs/grants.html
Digicel Logo

It feels like so long ago when the Digicel Foundation’s Patron and Chair, Denis O’Brien, came to Haiti to celebrate a first of many accomplishments, the inauguration of a school constructed in Thomazeau.  Never forgetting the gracious welcome and generosity of the people of Haiti, a commitment was made—to join forces with likeminded local leaders and organizations to strengthen efforts in building a resilient Haiti.  For 11 years, the Digicel Foundation has dedicated its resources to serve the most marginalized communities and to address numerous pressing issues.Committed to the vision of transforming lives both through sensible corporate responsibility and community development, the Digicel Foundation began a journey in accomplishing an unprecedented record of objectives, surpassing any other corporate charitable organization in Haiti. 

Today, approximately 1.2 million men, women and children have benefitted from upwards of 171 community projects. More than 60,000 students have access to quality learning spaces at what will soon be 178 schools built by the Foundation.  Furthermore, 2,000+ schools directors and teachers have received professional development in improving the quality of education in primary schools. 

The determination and drive of the Haitian people, without a doubt, have always served as the  Foundation’s inspiration to stay the course in becoming a pioneer and leader in community development.  Through the first 10 years, the Digicel Foundation embodied a key value to stand behind communities to change lives.

Thus, the Digicel Foundation is pleased to present the second edition of Konbit Pou Chanjman  (Come Together for Change) campaign, its newest undertaking to promote more sustainable communities. The initiative seeks to award 15 organizations, 700,000 gourdes each to implement a proposed community project in one of the 10 departments in Haiti.  

Organizations which seek to fulfill a project in their community were invited to apply for a grant in the following areas: education, culture, inclusion, livelihoods, access, and disaster prevention.

The application deadline was August 8th, 2018 and was postponed to August 31st, 2018. 
The review process is now closed and organizations selected to advance to round 2 were notified on September 14th, 2018 instead of September 12th as originally planned. 

Click on Round Two Organizations to see the list.

For more information concerning the campaign, please see the Konbit Pou Chanjman FAQ.