Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) News

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Ross Fork Fire burning in Blaine County, Idaho, USA. The US state of Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, at 4:09 p.m. PT. He determined that the Ross Fork Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the se...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combatting the Mill Fire burning in Siskiyou County. FMAG On Sept. 2, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 2,500 homes in and around Weed, CA. The fire also threatened the local water system, communications, and electrical trans...

Preparing for all fire exposures, not picking and choosing only one, is vital for improving the home and building survival chances. What the community needs to know Wildfires spread primarily by: Ember generation and deposition. Burning or smoldering pieces of material generated during a wildfire event can land on combustible material. Radiant heat. The heat from the fire raises the temperature of a combustible material until that material reaches ignition temperature and burns....

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Four Corners Fire burning in Idaho.  The state of Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Friday, August 19, 2022, at 2:02 a.m. PT. He determined that the Four Corners Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the first FMAG...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of Nevada in combatting the Joy Lake Fire burning in Washoe County. On Aug. 14, 2022, the state of Nevada submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 2,000 homes in and around Galena Creek. The fire also threatened a high school, elementary school, geothermal plant, power...

FEMA has awarded $4.1 million to the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands to cover the costs of fighting the Dollar Ridge wildfire that impacted north-central Utah in July of 2018. The funds are provided by FEMA’s Public Assistance program under a Fire Management Assistance declaration for Utah issued on July 2, 2018, in response to the wildfire. The Dollar Ridge wildfire began south of Fruitland on July 1, 2018. The fire burned over 68,000 acres of private, state, and federal...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Lind Fire burning in Washington. The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 5:58 p.m. PT. He determined that the Lind Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the first FMAG declared in...

As those first on the scene to respond to disasters and emergency events, first responders prioritize the safety and well-being of the communities they serve. This often means first responders are facing dangerous and challenging situations, leading to high-stress levels and possible development of burnout, compassion fatigue, or unhealthy coping mechanisms. The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently featured 2 behavioral health resources for first responders....

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Miller Road Fire burning in Oregon. The state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Deputy Administrator Vince Maykovich on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at 12:11 a.m. PT. He determined that the Miller Road Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the first F...

As part of FEMA’s commitment to make communities stronger and more resilient, the agency is adding two additional measures to help eligible homeowners in areas covered by Presidential Disaster Declarations due to wildfire damage. FEMA has been providing mitigation assistance to eligible homeowners under the individuals and households program (IHP) for several hazard mitigation measures since June 2021. These new measures are a continued effort to expand the types of hazard mitigation item...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combatting the Oak Fire burning in Mariposa County. Fire Management Assistance Grant On July 22, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 1,540 homes in and around Midpines. The fire also threatened community water infrastructure, p...

In incidents involving electric vehicles with lithium-ion batteries, responders face safety risks related to: Electric shock. Thermal runaway. Battery ignition and reignition. Stranded energy. Electric vehicle design is different for various makes and models. For safe and effective vehicle extrication, rescue, and fire suppression, responders need practical and accurate emergency response guidance specific to the unique features of each electric vehicle. Standardization ERGs that...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator has authorized the use of federal funds, in order to assist the US state of Arizona, in combatting the Pipeline Fire burning, in the Coconino County, United States of America (USA). On June 12, the state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 2,100 homes in and around Doney Park, Timberline and Black Bill Park. The fir...

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) EMS Safety Practices manual provides information to enhance the health and safety of the emergency medical services (EMS) practitioner and support the reduction of occupational illness and on-duty injuries and fatalities. 146-page manual This 146-page manual outlines how to develop a safety program that covers all aspects of EMS operations to prepare for, prevent, mitigate, and respond to all hazards. It covers safety regulations and guidelines while a...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combatting the Coastal Fire burning in Orange County. Fire Management Assistance Grant On May 11, 2022, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 500 homes and 10,000 people in and around Laguna Niguel. The fire also threatened the Coa...

New Mexico homeowners and renters in the five counties, who sustained damage from the wildfires and straight-line winds beginning on April 5 and continuing, could be eligible for help from FEMA. The designated counties for FEMA Individual Assistance are Colfax, Lincoln, Mora, San Miguel, and Valencia. FEMA claim If users have homeowners or renters insurance, they should file a claim as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If the user's polic...

The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Fire Safety Research Institute courses are focused on coordinated ventilation and suppression tactics for structure fires. Course focus  Each course focuses on a unique occupancy type, covering: The science of fire dynamics. The findings from the experiments in the Study of Coordinated Fire Attack Utilizing Acquired Structures (Coordinated Fire Attack Study), a UL research study supported by an Assistance to Firefighters Grant. Tactical consideratio...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds on April 19 to assist the state of Arizona to combat the Tunnel 2 Fire burning in Coconino County. On April 19, the state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened 2,500 homes in and around the communities of Downey Park, Timberline and Blackville Park. The fire also threatened 150 businesses, local...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator has authorized the use of federal funds on April 19, 2022, in order to assist the US state of Arizona, to combat the Crooks Fire burning incident, which happened in Yavapai County, Arizona, in the United States of America (USA). Federal Funds under FMAG On April 19, 2022, the US State of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened 700 home...

FEMA has authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to Florida to fight the Bertha Swamp Road Wildfire burning in Calhoun County. Previously, FEMA approved funding to fight the Bertha Swamp Road Wildfire in Bay County. On March 8, the state requested to add Calhoun and Gulf counties to the Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). The blaze started March 4, threatening more than 5,000 homes, and has burned more than 33,000 acres of state and private land. Additional funding On March 8, FEMA...

FEMA has authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to Florida to fight the Adkins Avenue Fire in Bay County. On March 4, the state of Florida submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Adkins Avenue Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened more than 1,000 homes in and around Bay County. The Adkins Avenue blaze started March 4 and has burned more than 1,400 acres of state and private land. Approximately 2,500 people have evacuated. Federal funding...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the projects for which the Fire Department Bureau requested funds under the Agency’s Public Assistance Program. These represent a total of 21 emergency and permanent work projects for a total of US$ 15.4 million. Of those, about US$ 10.7 million will be distributed in 18 permanent work projects, which will be used for upgrades to the structures belonging to the Bureau and for content replacement as a result of damage from Hurrica...

Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Special Commodities Branch has won the DLA’s Team Performance of the Year Award, in the medium team category. Within this dedicated group of 42 employees, over 530 years of practical floor experience and high levels of technical expertise combine to drive and shape the day-to-day operation of cold chain management for DDSP.  The Special Commodities Branch The Special Commodities Branch is responsible for...

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the Washington State Military Department’s Emergency Management Division, will open a Disaster Recovery Center on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, in Ferndale, Whatcom County, Washington, USA, in order to help survivors of the November flooding and mudslides. New Disaster Recovery Center The new recovery center’s location will be Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, 2007 Cherry Street, in Ferndale, Washington The new recovery cente...

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds, in order to help with firefighting costs for the Marshall Fire burning, in Boulder County, Colorado, USA. Fighting Marshall Fire FEMA Acting Regional Administrator, Tammy Littrell approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), after receiving the request and determining that the fire threatened such a level of destruction that it would constitute a major disaster. At...

To help communities plan for the threats and hazards of climate change, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released its updated Long-Term Community Resilience Exercise Resource Guide: Designing Whole Community Exercises to Prepare for the Effects of a Changing Climate PDF in November 2021. Increase preparedness As the impacts of climate change are being felt across the country, this resource offers communities low-risk and cost-effective ways to increase preparedness with: Tools...

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has created a Drone Knowledgebase to help more than 29,000 fire departments in the United States improve existing public safety drone programs or to establish new drone initiatives. Drones have become a key instrument for public safety efforts in recent years with first responders increasingly deploying aerial technology to achieve greater situational awareness during structural fires, wildfires, natural disasters, rescue efforts, and large publ...

The adoption and implementation of hazard-resistant building codes is the most effective community mitigation measure against hazard risk. According to FEMA's Building Code Save Study, 65% of counties, cities, and towns across the United States of America (USA) currently have not adopted modern building codes. Getting community ready FEMA's new Building Science Resource Library, launched in October 2021, contains materials focused on creating disaster-resistant communities, including detailed...

The application period is now open for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. These grants help fire and EMS departments obtain needed resources such as gear, equipment, vehicles, and training. Important updates to the program have been made that departments need to be aware of when applying. About AFG Program The AFG program is one of three grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on enhancing th...

Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, former Assistant to the General President for Technical Assistance and Information Resources (TAIR) and President and CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI), is the new United States Fire Administrator. Dr. Moore-Merrell was appointed by President Joe Biden at the urging of the IAFF. She also had widespread support from other fire service organizations. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell swore Moore-Merrell in...