Resources

FEMA Training Courses: Communication Coordination Program

Before a disaster hits, it’s important to have an internal communications plan to set disaster response efforts into motion. The following FEMA training courses focus on how to implement communication tools and best practices for disaster stakeholders involved in activating their emergency response plans. They are primarily intended for emergency managers, local leaders, first responders… Read more

FEMA Training Courses: Emergency Medical

FEMA currently offers several online independent study courses focused on how health care personnel and facilities fit into the and the . These courses are intended to educate city, county, and state leaders, emergency management personnel, first responders, NGOs and other volunteer agencies on the role of healthcare agencies in natural disaster response efforts.  … Read more

FEMA Training Courses: General Public Communication

FEMA currently offers six online independent study courses focused on general public communications during a disaster event. Course options include courses designed specifically for public information officers, in addition specialized courses on social media, external affairs liaisons, and general disaster communication skills.   IS-29 — Public Information Officer Awareness IS-702.a — National Incident Management System… Read more

FEMA Training Courses: Stakeholder Communications

FEMA currently offers six online independent study courses focused on communications during and after a disaster event. Course options include courses designed specifically for public information officers, in addition specialized courses on social media, external affairs liaisons, and general disaster communication skills.   IS-29 — Public Information Officer Awareness IS-702.a — National Incident Management System… Read more

FEMA Training Courses: Disaster Planning Revisions

FEMA’s online independent study course, Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning, covers the methodology for completing After Action Reports.   IS-130 — Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning

FEMA Training Courses: FEMA Mapping

FEMA currently offers four online independent study courses focused on FEMA mapping and geospatial capabilities related to disaster management.   IS-60.b — The Homeland Security Geospatial Concept-of-Operations (GeoCONOPS) for Planners and Decision Makers IS-61.b — The Homeland Security Geospatial Concept-of-Operations (GeoCONOPS) In Depth IS-62.b — The Homeland Security Geospatial Concept-of-Operations (GeoCONOPS) In Use IS-63.b — Geospatial Information Infrastructure (GII) IS-103 — Geospatial Information Systems… Read more

Tips for Local Officials: Use a Variety of CDBG-DR Program Outreach Methods

As an elected or appointed local official, residents will look to you to guide them through the program. Transparency and regular communication — from the unmet needs assessment to program closeout — are key in educating your citizens about program rules and regulations, and in demonstrating the tangible disaster recovery efforts being made to return… Read more

Federal Procurement Policy: 2 CFR Part 200

Procurement of materials and services often presents challenges for grantees, who tend to be unfamiliar with the federal procurement policies they must follow to meet ‘s compliance standards. Grantees cannot simply begin purchasing materials and services using their existing procurement policies, but must update them to be compliant with federal regulations as outlined in 2 CFR Part… Read more

HUD SAM.gov Registration Requirements

Contractors, as well as recipients of federal financial assistance, are required to register in the System for Award Management (SAM). This applies to the program, which requires that grantees, subrecipients, subgrantees, contractors and units of local governments register in SAM. CDBG-DR grantees or subgrantees who aren’t registered in SAM, or who procure contractors not registered… Read more

Legislative Update: Duplication of Benefits

In February 2018, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) made an important update to the way that Small Business Association (SBA) disaster loans are assessed, a change which applies to . A DOB occurs when any person, business, or entity uses federal funds to cover losses for which they have already received assistance… Read more