FEMA Bulletin Week of May 25, 2020

In this Edition: ·       FEMA Releases COVID-19 Operational Guidance for Hurricane Season ·       NOAA Releases Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook ·       FEMA Announces Funding for Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program ·       FEMA Provides Grants for Food Assistance ·       FEMA Releases Revised NIMS Training Program ·       FEMA Seeks Comments on Voluntary Agreement ·       FEMA Holds Webinars on Updated Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide ·       FEMA Highlights Community Efforts ·       Stay Updated with FEMA COVID-19 Information Hub ·       FEMA Alert System Used During Coronavirus Response ·       Upcoming Deadlines and Reminders

Important Dates & Reminders Application period ends for FP&S grants. Feedback period for NIMS updates ends at 5 p.m. Application period ends for High Hazard Potential Dam Grant. FEMA Releases COVID-19 Operational Guidance for Hurricane Season FEMA released "COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season" to help emergency managers and public health officials best prepare for disasters, while continuing to respond to and recover from COVID-19.  The guide provides actions emergency managers and public officials can take to prepare for response and recovery operations during ongoing COVID-19 response efforts. Specifically, the guidance: ·       Describes anticipated challenges to disaster operations posed by COVID-19. ·       Highlights planning considerations for emergency managers based on current challenges. ·       Outlines how FEMA plans to adapt response and recovery operations. ·       Creates a shared understanding of expectations between FEMA and emergency managers. ·       Includes guidance, checklists and resources to support emergency managers response and recovery planning. Private sector and non-governmental organizations can use the guidance to gain an understanding of the government’s posture, planning and readiness efforts. To expand awareness and understanding of the guidance, FEMA’s National Preparedness Directorate is conducting four webinars. The webinars will allow emergency managers an opportunity to discuss how the guidance can assist jurisdictions review and modify their plans given the constraints and limitations of the ongoing pandemic. To register: ·       Webinar 1: FEMA Adobe Connect 2 - 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 2. ·       Webinar 2: FEMA Adobe Connect 10 - 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 4. ·       Webinar 3: FEMA Adobe Connect 1 - 2 p.m. ET on Monday, June 8. ·       Webinar 4: FEMA Adobe Connect 3 - 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 10. Download the COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season on the FEMA website. NOAA Releases Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook An above-normal 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is expected, according to forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. The outlook predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal season. Visit the NOAA website for more information. FEMA Announces Funding for Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program FEMA released the Notice of Funding Opportunity for $10 million in funding for the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program. The program provides funding to eligible states and local governments to close known preparedness capability gaps, encourage innovative regional solutions to issues related to catastrophic incidents and build on existing regional preparedness efforts, including pandemic preparedness.  Changes to the 2020 funding include regional pandemic preparedness as a program objective, with specific focus on pandemic planning activities. This is to address the Community Lifelines and Core Capabilities that are essential to pandemic preparedness. The application period closes 5 p.m. ET on July 15. Submissions must be made through Grants.gov. The funding notice and additional information is available on the FEMA website as well as on Grants.gov, under Assistance Listings Number 97.111. FEMA Provides Grants for Food Assistance In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, FEMA's Public Assistance program is reimbursing eligible states for the purchase and distribution of food as an emergency protective measure. The pandemic has exacerbated the need for food assistance, especially to people who have difficulties obtaining and preparing food and those individuals considered high-risk by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many states used Public Assistance funding to purchase and distribute millions of pounds of food to their networks of food banks to help feed those who cannot otherwise prepare or obtain needed food due to the pandemic. States like Arizona are using their National Guard troops to help package and deliver meals. Pennsylvania state agencies partnered with Operation BBQ Relief to provide freshly prepared meals using the power of closed restaurants, available restaurant workers and available commercial-sized food products to produce family style meals. In California, the Great Plates Program helped seniors and other adults at high risk of COVID-19 infection to stay home and healthy by delivering three nutritional meals a day. Food insecurity is not limited to any one region or state, and almost all states are supporting the purchase and distribution of food to vulnerable and high-risk populations to save lives and protect public health during this pandemic. You can learn more about the purchase and distribution of food eligible for Public Assistance on the FEMA website. Pennsylvania state agencies partnered with Operation BBQ Relief to provide 180,000 freshly prepared and pre-packaged meals per week to individuals, seniors and families in need. FEMA Releases Revised NIMS Training Program FEMA released the revised National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training Program, which provides a structure for national training and strengthens the nation's ability to manage incidents, events and emergencies. The training program establishes the roles and responsibilities of FEMA and members of the NIMS stakeholder community. It identifies specific activities for developing, maintaining and sustaining a training program that prepares all incident personnel to understand their respective responsibilities and work together during incidents. The focus areas of the program include the Incident Command System, Joint Information System, Emergency Operation Center and the Multiagency Coordination Group.  The document is available on the FEMA website. FEMA Seeks Comments on Voluntary Agreement On May 21, FEMA hosted a virtual public meeting on developing a voluntary agreement under the Defense Production Action. The voluntary agreement will help maximize the effectiveness of the distribution of critical medical resources nationwide to respond to pandemics, specifically to the coronavirus pandemic. FEMA is now seeking comments on the development of the voluntary agreement.  To request a copy of the draft voluntary agreement, send an email to FEMA. The deadline to submit comments is 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, May 29. All comments can be submitted to the Federal Register Docket ID FEMA-2020-0016 or by email to FEMA. FEMA Holds Webinars on Updated Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide Earlier this month, FEMA released the agency’s updated Preliminary Damage Assessment Guide (PDA Guide) and its accompanying Preliminary Damage Assessment Pocket Guide (PDA Pocket Guide). A one-year comment period for the PDA Guide will begin June 8, 2020 and close on June 8, 2021.  To provide additional information on the guide, FEMA is holding three separate webinars at 2 p.m. on May 26, May 27 and May 28. To register: ·       FEMA Adobe Connect ·       Audio: 1-888-270-9936; Access Code 4025899# ·       Closed Captioning for May 26, May 27 and May 28. Find the PDA Guide and PDA Pocket Guide and comment matrices on the FEMA website. Use the appropriate comment matrix and submit comments to the FEMA Recovery Policy Inbox. FEMA Highlights Community Efforts In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, nonprofit and voluntary organizations work together with the federal, state, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector to address needs of those communities most affected. FEMA is highlighting stories from our partners that show how communities are addressing the needs of the most vulnerable population by providing food, emotional and spiritual care, and other resources during the pandemic.  One organization on the frontlines of these efforts is the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). To date, more than 8,502 AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers have served in direct response to COVID-19. They have assisted nearly 1.4 million people, provided 2.4 million meals and distributed nearly 15 million pounds of food. AmeriCorps in St. Louis, MO is supporting the St. Louis COVID-19 Homeless Outreach Coalition in partnership with the City of St. Louis to provide outreach services to the unhoused population of St. Louis. In partnership with The Salvation Army, they are delivering food prepared by local caterers to congregate shelters and the homes of the elderly and those with access and functional needs. In Michigan, Senior Corps members have partnered with the United Way to reach out to vulnerable populations, provide transportation to medical appointments and sew homemade face masks for anyone who needs one. They have also brought comfort and companionship to assisted living residents through letter writing. Visit FEMA Best Practices page to read more stories about communities making a difference. Stay Updated with FEMA COVID-19 Information Hub To ensure access to critical information for everyone, the agency has updated the FEMA website with coronavirus (COVID-19) response-specific pages that include critical information for the general public, as well as various federal, state, tribal and territorial stakeholders. All COVID-19 webpages were available in Spanish a week after the initial launch, and additional languages of Haitian Creole, Vietnamese and Simplified Chinese are being added for all items related to various stakeholders, to ensure information in the top four languages in the country is available. News releases and fact sheets that provide critical information to the general public are also being translated into an additional eight languages. FEMA Alert System Used During Coronavirus Response Emergency officials across the country have sent over 338 important safety messages on the coronavirus pandemic to their residents using the FEMA Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). As of Tuesday, May 26, 93 agencies across 29 states and the District of Columbia, as well as two Indian tribes and one U.S. territory, have sent a total of 338 messages. This includes 275 alerts containing information on COVID-19 to cell phones and other wireless devices via the Wireless Emergency Alerts and 63 alerts to radios/televisions via the Emergency Alert System. For more information on IPAWS and how to be able to use the system to send alerts, visit the FEMA website. IPAWS is a national system for local alerting that provides authenticated emergency alert and information messaging to the public through cell phones and internet applications using Wireless Emergency Alerts and to radio and television via the Emergency Alert System. Upcoming Deadlines and Reminders Application Period Closes Friday for Fire Prevention and Safety Grants The application period for Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants closes at 5 p.m. ET this Friday, May 29. The grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards within the areas of fire prevention and firefighter safety research and development. There is $35 million in funding available. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. FEMA Seeks Feedback on NIMS Update FEMA is seeking public feedback for an update of the 2009 National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation Objectives for federal departments and agencies. National engagement provides an opportunity for interested parties to comment on the draft implementation objectives to ensure they are relevant for all implementing partners. The national engagement period will conclude at 5 p.m. ET on June 17. For more information on the webinars and to review the draft objectives, visit the FEMA website. …………………………………………………………………………………………………… FEMA Accepts Applications for High Hazard Potential Dam Grants The application period is open for the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dam Grant Program. The grant program provides technical, planning, design and construction assistance in the form of grants for the rehabilitation of eligible high hazard potential dams. Eligible applicants must be non-federal sponsors, which include non-federal governments and non-profit organizations. Applicants can apply on Grants.gov by the June 26 deadline. For more information about the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams Grant Program, visit the FEMA website.

MRC Well Check Webinar on Tuesday, June 2, at 2:00 pm ET

Please join us for our next MRC Well Check Webinar on Tuesday, June 2, at 2:00 pm ET. During the webinar, MRC Program leadership and staff will present the 2020 MRC Program Recognition Awards, honoring MRC units, volunteers, leaders, sponsoring organizations, and partners who go above and beyond every day to further the MRC mission.

Webinar details and access instructions are below. We hope you are able to join us!

June 2020 MRC Well Check Webinar Please join us for our next MRC Well Check Webinar on Tuesday, June 2, at 2:00 pm ET. During the webinar, MRC Program leadership and staff will present the 2020 MRC Program Recognition Awards, honoring recipients in the following award categories: ·       Community Preparedness and Resilience ·       Community Response ·       Excellence in MRC Priorities ·       Innovator ·       Outstanding MRC Preparedness and Resilience Volunteer ·       Outstanding MRC Responder ·       Mentor ·       Outstanding MRC Sponsoring Organization ·       Outstanding MRC Partner Organization (or Partnership) ·       MRC Picture of the Year ·       Outstanding New MRC Unit Leader ·       Outstanding MRC State Coordinator ·       Elizabeth Fitch Memorial Leadership Award Login Information 1.     Visit https://mrc.adobeconnect.com/wcw2020v1 2.      Select “Enter as a Guest” 3.      Type your name in the box provided and click “Enter Room” Important: The audio for this webinar will be broadcast through your computer. Participants will not be able to use their phones for audio. This webinar is "listen only." Details Date: Tues., June 2, 2020 Time: 2:00 PM ET Duration: 1 hour Questions? If you have any questions, please contact MRCcontact@hhs.gov. Test Your Computer We are using Adobe Connect for this month’s webinar. We recommend that you test your computer for compatibility prior to the meeting.

Funding Opportunity Announcement. May 2020

Funding Opportunity Announcement: Long-Term Effects of Disasters on Health Care Systems Serving Health Disparity Populations (R01- Clinical Trial Optional)

NIMHD is partnering with National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) to support a new funding opportunity announcement (FOA): PA-20-172. The FOA is titled: Long-Term Effects of Disasters on Health Care Systems Serving Health Disparity Populations (R01- Clinical Trial Optional). The purpose of this FOA is to support investigative and collaborative research focused on understanding the long-term effects of natural and/or human-made disasters on health care systems serving health disparity populations across communities in the U.S., including the U.S. territories. NIH-designated health disparity populations include racial and ethnic minorities (Blacks/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinxs, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders), sexual and gender minorities, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, and underserved rural populations.  Application First Due Date: October 5, 2020. For inquiries related to NIMHD’s scientific and research involvement concerning this FOA, contact Dr. Larissa Avilés-Santa at avilessantal@nih.gov. View the full funding opportunity announcement for more information.

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2020 and Beyond. Can we address issues for community imperative for all.

2020 and Beyond

Let's address the important issues for our vulnerable communities.

Questions:  Which of the following should be provided for all individuals and families in the U.S. as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, and be fully implemented by end of FY 2020?

        1.   Housing for recovery\homeless
        2.   Food
        3.   Water
        4.   Education
        5.   Healthcare
        6.   Job Opportunties\Workforce Development
        7.   All of the above

HeroicStories Launched; Registration Open for Farmer Training Workshops in June

Veterans, REGISTER TODAY

Our farmer training workshops are a great place to expand your networks, build on your current skillsets, and quench your thirst for farming experience.

Register NOW

Farm experience is a balance between learning and hands-on fun, at no cost to the veteran participant. A farm to table lunch is also provided from a local catering small business.  Do you want to help your local Korea and Vietnam era veterans or want to brush up on your raised garden bed skills? Register for our June 6th project with Poughkeepsie's VFW Post 170. Are you curious on how to make your favorite types of brews (ales, lagers, IPAs, etc) and wondering if its something you could do from the comfort of your home? Register for our June 14th workshop with Black Snake Brewing Company.  Are you wanting to be more involved in local food security by directly responding to food waste in the Hudson Valley? Register for our June 28th workshop with Rise and Root Farm and the Cornell Small Farms Program.  Spaces Are Limited.

COVID-19 2020 and Beyond. Volunteer Compensation. IRS Rules must change

 Equity must come in multiple forms and options in vulnerable communities

·      Are IRS rules regarding in-kind compensation, and other rewards or compensation a hindrance for volunteers especially in vulnerable communities?

·      Should volunteer compensation be taxable or a credit to increase the number of volunteers during times of crisis locally, Statewide, and during a National Significant Event?

Change is inevitable.  Time for change is now.

BEMA International

Church Rewards Volunteer; IRS Says, Pay Up! - StartCHURCH www.startchurch.com › blog › view › name › church-r... Below is an explanation of the rules that govern gift giving. Rule #1: All gifts of cash, gift certificates, or gift cards are always taxable. Treasury regulations section ... Best Practices for Expense Reimbursement in 2020 ... www.missionbox.com › article Feb 19, 2020 - In addition, employees or volunteers won't have to report the ... These rules are aimed at preventing organizations from misclassifying payments to employees and volunteers as reimbursements if they're actually compensation. ... plan, you're able to reimburse expenses that exceed the IRS time limit. Volunteer Workers pay Taxes Too www.irs.gov › pub › irs-utl › oc_aug_volunteers_pay_t... PDF Jul 29, 2011 - ... vehicles for information on how volunteers may need to pay taxes. ... Special rules apply for volunteer organizations such as Volunteers in Service to ... For additional information, refer to IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for. www.forpurposelaw.com › appreciating-volunteers May 7, 2015 - ... a nonprofit. Could it be viewed as compensation or a taxable event to the recipient? ... There are laws and regulations, rules and tests. ... According to the IRS, even $25 gift cards provided to volunteers are “taxable events.” ... What Tax-Free Benefits Can Nonprofits Give Volunteers? | Nolo www.nolo.com › legal-encyclopedia › what-tax-free-be... Rewards can entice volunteers to work with your nonprofit or show your ... as employee compensation on which the volunteer-employee must pay income tax. ... For more information on complying with the IRS' nonprofit regulations, see Nolo's ...

National Flood Conference Webinar – June 1 – June 3, 2020

Participate in the National Flood Conference from Your Home Office 

June 1 through June 3.

Although the in-person Conference has been cancelled, flood issues remain as relevant as ever. This series of webinars, presented by APCIA and RAA, will provide the latest updates on key topics and give you the opportunity to ask questions from our expert presenters.

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For complete info visit

https://apciaevents.cventevents.com/event/5f65b35f-fcda-4492-834e-e0311d5c7518/summary

Africa Day. Monday, May 25, 2020. Los Angeles CA

Join us Monday, May 25th from 2:40-3:55pm PST to celebrate Africa Day!

Executive Director of African Coalition, Senait Admassu, will be speaking as a panelist on the state of Black immigrant & refugee health, pre & post COVID and beyond.

The event will be live-streamed all day. 

Visit https://unveilingslaverytogether.com for a complete day's schedule.

Reading List: October, 1998. Handbook on methods for climate change impact assessment and adaptation strategies. 1998

Contemporary Environmental Readings Climate Change A Blessing or a Curse for....   A related paper is available on Academia. Handbook on methods for climate change impact assessment and adaptation strategies  feather fur 1998 272 Views  View PDF ▸ Download PDF ⬇ Recent Readings by BEMA International: CLIMATE CHANGE IN NIGERIA.pdf - rasak bamidele Contemporary Environmental Readings Climate Change A Blessing or a Curse for Agriculture? First Edition With contribution by - Yasser Hassan The Effects of Global Warming new - sri supartini Climate Change - Some Mitigation Methods - Mayadhar Swain

REPOST. Initial posting Sept 16, 2017, Our Communities. 2/3 of the World Unprepared for Public Health and other emergencies.

REPOST.  Initial posting Sept 16, 2017

=================
Our communities (African Descent) are partially the remaining 1/3 of communities nationally and worldwide UNPREPARED for public health and other emergencies.

Some have postulated that our communities are under a constant state of emergency\crisis event and situations in our daily lives from the first light of dawn until sunset.

Each of us has to take the added steps to 'BRING OUR A GAME!", and promote awareness on preparedness, planning, response, recovery, mitigation and long-term resiliency building in our communities.

Faith-based, non-profit, community building, financial, our 'whole community' must be involved and at the table.

We at BEMA have been advocating our members to promote a mention of awareness and preparedness for disasters\emergencies\crisis planning at all symposiums, forums, conferences, panel discussions, etc. to stress the importance of preparedness in OUR COMMUNITIES to community leaders, elected officials, and others.

It starts with you and what you do.

Charles D. Sharp.  CEO.  Black Emergency Managers Association.

The Power of Preparedness: Prepare Globally