Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) News

The Tulsa Fire Department will soon begin hiring 60 new firefighters to replenish ranks overburdened in recent years by a combination of large-scale natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic and steady attrition. Tulsa Local 176, working hand in hand with the IAFF, as well as key state and federal lawmakers, secured a $12 million Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. SAFER grants, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are designed to help fire...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the Alisal Fire burning in Santa Barbara County. Fire Threat On Oct. 12, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Alisal Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 200 residential structures in and around Goleta. The fire also threatened commercial properties, state beaches, a l...

FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Auburn Fire burning in Pennington county, on the north side of Rapid City. FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Tammy Littrell approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) after receiving the request late this afternoon and determining that the fire threatened such destruction that it would constitute a major disaster. Fire threat At the time of the request, the Auburn Fi...

FEMA has approved $3.07 million in federal funds to remove hazardous trees and wildfire debris along public roads in Larimer County as part of the recovery effort from the Cameron Peak Fire.  The funds are provided from the agency’s Public Assistance program under the major disaster declaration for Colorado issued on January 15, 2021, following the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome wildfires. Sharing the cost FEMA’s Public Assistance reimbursements are made on a cost-sharing...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the Fawn Fire burning in Shasta County. On Sept. 23, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Fawn Fire. Fire threat At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 1,900 residential structures in and around Shasta Lake. The fire also threatened 100 commercial structures, two churches, an el...

Federal disaster assistance is now available for wildfire survivors with uninsured and underinsured damage to their primary residence in Tehama and Trinity counties. Funds assistance Assistance may include funds for temporary housing while one is unable to live in the home, such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs; funds to support the repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes that serve as the household’s primary residence. Including privately-owned access routes,...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the French Fire burning in Kern County. On Aug. 24, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the French Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 4,000 homes in and around Wofford Heights and Kernville. Fire threat The fire also threatened dozens of businesses, schools, a fire s...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Schneider Springs Fire burning in Yakima County, Washington. The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Administrator Vincent Maykovich on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, at 6:25 p.m. PT. He determined that the Schneider Springs Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the Monument Fire burning in Trinity County. On August 17, 2021, the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration for the Monument Fire burning in Trinity County.  At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 5,053 residential structures in and around Junction City, Weaverville, Hayfork, and Douglas City,...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the Caldor Fire burning in El Dorado County. On August 17, 2021, the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration for the Caldor Fire burning in El Dorado County.  Fire threat At the time of approval, the Caldor Fire was threatening approximately 7,500 homes in and around Pollock Pines, Grizzly Flats, Camino, a...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of the federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Twenty-Five Mile Fire burning in Chelan County, Washington. The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Administrator Vince Maykovich on Monday, August 17, 2021, at 10:39 p.m. PT. He determined that the Twenty-Five Mile Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Ford Corkscrew Fire burning in Stevens County, Washington. The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Regional Administrator Vincent Maykovich on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, at 8:41 p.m. PT. He determined that the Ford Corkscrew Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Muckamuck Fire burning in Okanogan County, Washington. The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Regional Administrator Vincent Maykovich on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, at 12:41 a.m. PT. He determined that the Muckamuck Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Bedrock Fire burning in Nez Perce County, Idaho, and on the Nez Perce Reservation. The state of Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Regional Administrator Vincent Maykovich on Friday, August 13, 2021, at 12:32 a.m. PT. He determined that the Bedrock Fire threatened to cause such destruction as wou...

FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Parley’s Canyon Fire burning in Salt Lake and Summit counties, near Summit Park, Utah. FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Tammy Littrell approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) after receiving the request late this afternoon and determining that the fire threatened such destruction that it would constitute a major disaster. Fire threat At the time of the requ...

FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Richard Spring Fire burning in Rosebud County, Mont. FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Tammy Littrell approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) after receiving the request this afternoon and determining that the fire threatened such destruction that it would constitute a major disaster. Fire threat At the time of the request, the Richard Spring Fire was threa...

FEMA has approved $34,488,250 for the State of Oregon to defray the costs of debris removal throughout Douglas, Jackson, Lane, Lincoln and Marion counties from 2020’s devastating wildfires under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program (PA). FEMA funds will reimburse the Oregon Department of Transportation for the collection, removal and disposal of debris from destroyed structures throughout Douglas, Jackson, Lane, Lincoln and Marion counties following the September 2020 wildfires. Do...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of Hawaii in combating the Mana Road Fire burning in Hawaii County. On August 1, the state of Hawaii submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Mana Road Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 140 homes in and around Puukapu Hawaiian Homeland and Waikii Ranch with a combined population of 560. The fire started on July 30 an...

FEMA recently awarded more than $400,000 to Albany and Carbon counties for post-fire mitigation. The funds are related to FEMA’s approval of a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) request from the state of Wyoming for the Mullen Fire. The Mullen Fire started on Sept. 17, 2020, and burned more than 176,800 acres. As a part of the FMAG award, funding is made available through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post-Fire assistance for hazard mitigation measures that subs...

FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Poverty Flats Fire burning in Big Horn County and Crow Agency in Montana. FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Tammy Littrell approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) after receiving the request earlier today and determining that the fire threatened such destruction that it would constitute a major disaster. Fire Threat At the time of the request, the Poverty Flats...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Cedar Creek Fire burning in Okanogan County, Washington. The State of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Regional Administrator Vincent Maykovich on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 2:50 p.m. PT. He determined that the Cedar Creek Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a m...

FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Buffalo Fire burning in Yellowstone County, Montana near Huntley. FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Tammy Littrell approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) after receiving the request Friday evening and determining that the fire threatened such destruction that it would constitute a major disaster. At the time of the request, the Buffalo Fire was threatening 285 hom...

Fire and EMS departments are eligible for reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) of their costs, related to the COVID-19 pandemic. A streamlined project application process eases the burden of applying for the program, but support documentation is required. Tracking costs For COVID-19 recovery Many departments do not apply for the money because they perceive reporting requirements as too difficult, and record-keeping as too big a challenge. To help, the U.S. Fir...

Emergency Reporting, the provider of Fire & EMS records management software headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, releases a new report to assist customers with their applications for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The application period for this grant opened on January 4. With fire department budgets being significantly challenged in today’s climate, the AFG program provides some much-needed relief. Submitting...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), in partnership with the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, launched the Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments (PHFD) toolkit to support firefighters and EMS providers and create healthy, successful departments. A new implementation toolkit is now available to help fire department leaders promote and foster health and wellbeing among their members. Maintaining a psychologically healthy fire depar...

The FY2021 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) opened on Monday, January 4, 2021 and closes on Friday, February 12th, 2021, at 5 pm ET, so if users haven’t already begun preparing, hurry and head over to FEMA’s Guidance Materials ASAP to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to fund the department’s health, wellness and safety.

On April 29, National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Chair Steve Hirsch asked President Donald Trump to exercise various legal authorities to assist emergency services organizations in dealing with challenges associated with COVID-19 and social distancing. Specifically, the NVFC is asking the President to: Exercise his authority under the Defense Protection Act (DPA) to encourage manufacturers to produce more personal protective equipment, like respirators, gloves, gowns, and face shields, to...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has announced hosting a webinar titled ‘Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Preservation and N95 Respirator Decontamination and Reuse’, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U. S. Fire Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. PPE Preservation webinar The webinar will focus on the current research and best practices for preserving and decontaminating personal protective equipment and use of the Battelle Decon...

The third stimulus package passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on March 27 includes funding earmarked to help fire and EMS services deal with the burgeoning coronavirus emergency. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides $2.2 trillion in all to help the nation deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Among the provisions of the law is $400 million in grants that can be disbursed for firefighters, emergency managers and providers of emergency foo...

Refrigerants used in cooling systems for homes and businesses are being replaced with alternatives that have less potential for global warming. But the transition comes at a risk: Some of the new refrigerants are flammable.  Although less flammable than gases such as propane, for example, new refrigerants can still ignite and burn with a high intensity under ideal circumstances. The new materials have low-flame velocity and are less easily ignited; however, one byproduct of combustion is t...