Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) News

The programme will analyse policy options and examine the responsibilities of leadership The fellowship programme for fire service leaders is a joint effort between the USFA, IFSTA, IAFC, NFPA, and Harvard. Kelvin J. Cochran, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), announced that six senior fire officials have been selected for fellowships to attend the Harvard University's Senior Executives in State and Local Governm...

The CAP program is intended for software application developers The IPAWS CAP Profile Conformity Assessment Program will provide an independent, objective analysis of qualified products to ensure they adhere to the IPAWS CAP Profile.FEMA will ultimately publish a list of vendors whose products conform to the CAP IPAWS v1.2 Profile so that purchasers may be assured that their equipment complies with the FCC's and FEMA's requirements. Our guest will be Mark A. Luc...

Craig Fugate discussed the coordination of local and state officials during hurricanes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate addressed the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando, discussing the importance of coordination with state and local officials in preparing to respond recover from hurricanes. Fugate also talked about ways to better engage the public as part of the nation's emergency management team. "FEMA is only one part of the n...

FEMA has announced the 2010 National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards meant for better security and safety The awards will recognise innovative practices and achievements of Citizen Corps Councils across the US. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to announce the 2010 National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards Celebrating Resilient Communities. These awards will recognize innovative practices and achievements of Citizen Corps Councils across the nat...

HAZUS helps in determining the potential loss from catastrophes and framing a solution Attendees at the conference will learn how HAZUS, a nationally standardised methodology, estimates potential losses from earthquakes, hurricane wind and floods.Going to the APA Conference in New Orleans? If so then stop by HAZUS Booth #508 to learn about the latest in the world of HAZUS and pick up valuable information about the program and tools. At the booth you'll also be able...

FEMA's LIVE Webinar is a new age effort to build better backup system among the common man about safety LIVE webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, April 14th at 2:00 EDT and will provide information about 9-1-1 education, innovation, and the importance of working closely with local Public Safety Answering Points. FEMA's Individual & Community Preparedness Division is excited to announce the eighth webinar in the Community Preparedness Webinar Series: National 9-1-1 Educat...

Regional administrators are crucial for handling emergency situations Robin Finegan has more than 20 years of experience in crisis management and community preparedness. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate has applauded President Obama's appointment of Robin Finegan as FEMA Regional Administrator for Region VIII, which encompasses Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. "Regional Administrators are crucial to...

"Phil May has shown outstanding leadership in hurricane preparedness, response and recovery" Photo: G. Armstrong / FEMA The honor was presented at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando and was awarded for management and efforts in hurricane preparedness activities. National Hurricane Conference, the nation's leading forum for education and professional training in hurricane preparedness, has presented Major Phillip (Phil) May the Distinguished Service Award...

FEMA personnel are working on the forefront of flood affected areas FEMA and Department of Homeland Security have increased their effort to bring life back to normal in flood-affected Rhode Island. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deputy Administrator Richard Serino traveled to Rhode Island to tour areas affected by flooding and meet with Congressional, state and local leaders to discuss the...

  A wide range of natural disasters occurs within the United States every year A wide range of natural disasters occurs within the United States every year. Natural disasters can have a devastating effect on you and your home. The U.S. Fire Administration encourages you to use the following safety tips to help protect yourself, your family and your home from the potential threat of fire during or after a flood. Types of Fire Related Hazards Present During and After a Fl...

USFA says there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property due to home fires Electrical fires at homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords. The United States Fire Adm...

FEMA brings out awareness campaign related to safety and fire emergency The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  is encouraging Americans to take advantage of the March 14 time change for Daylight Savings as a reminder to ensure their families are prepared for a possible emergency. A few simple steps like checking smoke alarms, developing a family communications plan, and putting an emergency kit together can go a long way toward keeping families safe. "No matte...

U.S Fire Administration announces the National Fire Academy annual outstanding applied research awards Executive fire officer programme provides senior fire officers with a broad perspective on various challenging facets of fire administration.The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Fire Administration has announced the four fire service executives who will receive the National Fire Academy's (NFA) 2009 Annual Outstanding Applied Research Awards. This award recogn...

FEMA's share of assistance is 75 %  of the eligible cost for emergency measures and permanent restoration FEMA's PA Program encourages protection from future damage by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures during the recovery period. "Public Assistance (PA) helps to strengthen communities that do not have the means or resources to bounce back quickly from a natural disaster," according to Richard Griffin, state coordinating officer. "It reimburses local go...

Craig Fugate participated in a panel discussion at 2010 Harvard Social Enterprise Conference The 2010 Social Enterprise Conference is a joint effort of Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate participated in a panel discussion Sunday at the 2010 Harvard University Social Enterprise Conference on preparing for disasters in the 21st century. Fugate talked about the increasing role t...

The Haitian National Palace, located in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, heavily damaged after the earthquake of January 12, 2010 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel and members of FEMA-trained Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from California, Florida, New York, and Virginia today joined other personnel and teams involved in the United States response to Haiti for a Rose Garden ceremony with President Obama. The President thanked all who participated in the U.S. A...

The USFA report examines the causes and characteristics of winter residential building fires The report, "Winter Residential Building Fires", was developed by USFA's National Fire Data Center and is further evidence of FEMA's commitment to share information with fire departments and first responders around the country to help them keep their communities safe.The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report exam...

FEMA funds 75 percent of the approved costs for eligible public assistance projects The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management announced that briefings to explain the application process are being held this week.State and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations in the southern New Jersey counties that may be eligible for disaster assistance following the Dec. 19 - 20 snowstorm are urged to begin the process of applying for federal assistance. "Requests from...

Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they can be hazardous Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they can be hazardous. The primary hazards to avoid when using portable generators are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock or electrocution, and fire. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) would like you to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent th...

Appliance fire safety is a matter of keeping your appliances in good working order A fire and safety checklist for home appiances from FEMA. Most homes have a multitude of electrical appliances ranging from small kitchen items such as toasters and microwaves to major appliances like clothes dryers and dishwashers. While appliances make our lives much easier, they also pose significant risks - including fire - if not maintained properly. Appliance fire safety is a matte...

All conference registrants will receive their interactive compact discs shortly, along with maps and abstracts The much anticipated 3rd Annual HAZUS Conference Proceedings have been mailed. All conference registrants will be receiving their interactive compact discs (CDs) shortly. The CDs are full of information and provide a dynamic format for reviewing the conference proceedings. Speakers' biographies, photos and presentations have been included as well as the a...

Debris removal is a major challenge following natural disasters.Photo: Casey Deshong, FEMA FEMA is urging residents to become "Earthquake Prepared" by exercising a few safety measures.Midwesterners expect and prepare for a variety of seasonal hazards such as extreme snow, ice, flooding, tornadoes and severe weather. But the non-seasonal threat of earthquakes may not register on every family's hazard scale. That's why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region VII...

NFA, is conducting a pilot course at the NETC in Emmitsburg, Maryland The NFA will be delivering this 6-day pilot course on hazardous materials and special operations from May 9-14, 2010. The United States Fire Administration's (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA) is conducting a pilot course at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland for the newly developed 6-day course, Hazardous Materials / Special Operations Program Management (P254)...

"Sugar House Earthquake Mitigation Return-On-Investment" shows how HAZUS assessment can be used The book will be released in July at the 2010 ESRI International User Conference in San Diego, California.Two of the FEMA Mitigation Directorate's maps, entitled "Sugar House Earthquake Mitigation Return-On-Investment" and "ShakeMap-Based HAZUS-MH Loss Estimation Maps," have been selected for publication in the 2010 ESRI Map Book, Volume 25. The poster "Sugar House...

FEMA continues to support USAID and others in effort to save lives in Haiti Message from Deputy FEMA Administrator Richard Serino on the Haiti tragedy and the ongoing resuce efforts: "Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti. President Obama has instructed the federal government to undertake a swift, coordinated, and aggressive effort to save lives in Haiti, and FEMA continues to support USAID and others in th...

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate swore in Tony Russell as the new regional administrator of Region VI FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate swore in Tony Russell as the new regional administrator of FEMA Region VI at the regional headquarters in Denton, Texas. "Regional Administrators are one of the most important positions in our agency, connecting our headquarters to the states and citizens we serve," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "Tony is an experienced emergency manage...

Over one-quarter of residential fires result from improper maintenance of equipment Heating is one of the leading causes of residential fires. The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities has caused many Americans to search for alternative home heating sources such as wood burning stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces. Over one-quarter of these fires result from improper maintenance of equipment, specifically the failure to clean the equipment. Carbon monoxide...

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet NapolitanoPhotograph: Elissa Jun/FEMA Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has released a statement describing ongoing US relief efforts following the Haiti earthquake."The entire Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extends its sympathy for the devastation and loss of life in Haiti following last night's earthquake - a disaster that has called the world to action in response. The U.S. Coast Guard and the F...

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the state.The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the State of Louisiana to supplement state and local recovery...

FEMA is excited to announce the second webinar in the Community Preparedness Webinar Series FEMA's second webinar in the Community Preparedness Webinar Series begins December 14. The webinar series provides up-to-date information on community preparedness topics and resources available to citizens, community organizations, and Citizen Corps Councils. This LIVE webinar is scheduled for Monday, December 14th at 2pm EST and will provide information on the Resolve to Be...