The Hazard Mitigation Partners Virtual Workshop will bring together over 800 federal, states, local communities, tribes and territories, as well as private sector entities, private non-profit organizations, and individuals who work in emergency management, floodplain management and hazard mitigation positions.
The focus of the workshop is All Together for Climate Resilient Communities. The conversations throughout the workshop will focus on building mitigation champions, driving community resilience, providing technical assistance for grant programs, and supporting community resilience and hazard mitigation.
Equity: Whole Community Successes Through Working Together
February 5, 2024, Noon to 3:45 p.m. ET
This session will explore the relationship among stakeholder experiences, equity, and FEMA’s policies and programs. Panelists will discuss how we can achieve a shared understanding of equity beyond the current climate; how we can develop public-private partnerships that promote resilience; and how we can foster a sense of collective responsibility to build a prepared and resilient nation.
Session 1A: Overview of the Community Disaster Resilience Zones (CDRZ)
Session 1B: Climate Resilience
The changing climate is a force multiplier – increasing the number of storms, floods, fires, and extreme temperatures that threaten the well-being of people across our nation. When emergency managers plan for and strategically invest in climate adaptation measures, the effects from disasters are less severe and the road to recovery starts sooner for survivors.
Advancing Equitable Planning and Resilience Through Solutions-Based Federal Partnership: FEMA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation
FEMA, Community Planner (Tribal) Felicity Selvoski Join us for an informative session where the EPA and FEMA Region 8 discuss how they supported the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes in updating their tribal hazard mitigation plans (HMPs). Updated plans include climate projections, cultural knowledge, and designs for three green infrastructure projects that the community identified using Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Direct Technical Assistance (DTA).
Session 3A: Applying CISA’s Infrastructure Resilience Planning Framework to Hazard Mitigation for Rural Water and Wastewater Systems – A Kentucky Case Study
Learn how to protect your community’s critical infrastructure from hazards! Join us for a presentation on the CISA Infrastructure Resilience Planning Framework (IRPF). This powerful tool helps you understand and address the impact of hazards on public and private infrastructure. Discover the benefits of the IRPF, how it is being used, and how you can plan for resilience. Do not miss this opportunity to safeguard your community’s essential services.
Session 3B: Sustainable Post-Typhoon Merbok Mitigation Efforts in Underserved Western Alaska
This session will cover Typhoon Merbok’s impact on indigenous communities. Panelists will discuss how to integrate indigenous ways of living into feasible and sustainable mitigation strategies for the continued survival of Alaskan coastal villages. Learn from their experiences and contribute to the discussion on planning for resilience.
Mitigation Planning Policy Changes: Planning for Climate Change and Equitable Outcomes
This session will cover recently approved local mitigation plans. Panelists will share trends and how communities are leveraging data and tools to incorporate equity and climate data into their plans.
Building Better Buyouts: Perspectives from Lived and Learned Experience
This session will cover outcomes from buyout practitioner and recipient conversations. Panelists will share recommendations, highlight areas of alignment, and discuss plans to build on participants’ connections.
Tribal Mitigation Planning Policy Update – Tribal Feedback Session
This session gives tribal members and representatives a chance to discuss their unique challenges and opportunities with FEMA. This discussion will help inform updates to the Tribal Mitigation Planning Policy (Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Guide).
Session 3A: Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation
This session highlights the importance of considering older adults in climate resilience planning. It addresses underserved populations and equity in mitigation planning. As a we face an older populace and climate change, adapting and prioritizing resilience planning is crucial. Learn more about the book here: https://islandpress.org/books/climate-resilience-aging-nation.
Session 3B: Shelter from the Storm: Flood Resilience with and for Unsheltered Communities
This presentation will review the challenges and risks associated with flood resilience for infrastructure and unhoused communities. Participants will hear about workshop outcomes and tangible actions that flood risk managers can take to build care-informed flood resilience.
Equitable Resilience Through Beyond-Code Construction
Join us for an informative session where you will learn about equitable resilience and how communities can apply FEMA's new P-804 recommendations. Discover the benefits of a beyond-code approach and how it can lead to lower insurance premiums and longer service lives. You will also learn about the FORTIFIED Home™, Commercial™, and Multifamily™ building standards that can help you develop disaster-resilient structures that exceed code requirements.
Partnerships Come Together in Climate Resilience
February 6, 2024, Noon to 3:45 p.m. ET
This session will discuss partnerships to increase resilience through mitigation investments, including public-private resilience partnerships, innovation to improve practices, and developing cross-sector funding partnerships.
Creative Sector Collaboration: The Key to Achieving Equity in Mitigation Planning
This session covers techniques for training and community coaching to develop mitigation projects using a whole community approach. It emphasizes skill-sharing for safety, accessibility, sustainability, and community engagement, as well as building inventories of local assets and knowledge.
Leveraging Department of Defense (DOD) Funding as a Non-Federal Match for Mutually Beneficial Nature-Based Solutions
In this workshop, officials from the DOD REPI Program and the OLDCC’s Installation Resilience Program will discuss how FEMA partners can leverage DOD funding to satisfy FEMA’s non-federal cost-sharing requirement, enhance climate adaptation efforts, and protect key military capabilities.
Session 3A: Promoting Equity and Partnerships in Mitigation: Opportunities Through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
FEMA, Regional Support Team Program Analyst Melanie Perello The HMGP provides funding to help state, local, tribal and territorial governments mitigate losses after disasters, making it an important tool for disaster preparedness. Join this session to hear lessons from the program’s efforts to expand community engagement, build partnerships, reduce cost share barriers, and introduce new resources and technical assistance for developing applications.
Session 3B: Advancing Building Codes and Breaking Down Barriers
FEMA, Lead Physical Scientist, Building Science Branch, John Ingargiola FEMA, Program Analyst, Policy and Regulations Section, Cliona Roberts Federal funding incentivizes building code adoption for disaster risk reduction. Join this panel to learn about federal assistance programs that support community resilience by promoting collaboration among stakeholders.
Session 4A: Coordinating Regional Resilience Partners to Integrate Future Climate Flood Risk in Vulnerable Coastal New Hampshire Communities
New Hampshire Coastal Program, Resilience Project Manager Jennifer Gilbert The New Hampshire Flood Smart Seacoast Project is a regional coastal capacity building initiative that provides direct assistance, training and outreach. Its pilot program focuses on flood-prone and socially vulnerable neighborhoods in one coastal community. Join this session to learn about the project’s technical assistance partnership, which helps communities make informed decisions using the best available coastal flood risk science and access FEMA funding for coastal resilience projects.
Session 4B: Incorporating Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) Compliance into Wildfire Mitigation Grants
This session will help participants prepare for EHP compliance for wildfire mitigation projects when applying for Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) funding. It will cover identifying potential EHP complexity, evaluating resources, and understanding time and cost implications. Attending this session is an excellent way to educate stakeholders on EHP compliance and better prepare for wildfire mitigation grants.
Exceptions to the Rules: Growing Mitigation Partnerships and Opportunities Throughout Alaska
FEMA, Risk Analysis Branch Community Planner Jennifer N. Adleman This session offers new approaches to partnerships with tribes, underserved communities, and socially vulnerable populations. Attendees will learn about building trusted partnerships; climate change impacts and mitigation efforts; and a whole community approach. The session will cover both positive and negative impacts of these partnerships.
Hazard Mitigation Assistance Branch Chief Roundtable
This roundtable discussion will address the overarching goals of the HMA program, particularly BRIC, HMGP, Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), and Public Assistance (PA).
Floodplain Management Branch Chief Roundtable
This roundtable discussion will feature a panel of experts who will address the overarching goals of the Floodplain Management Planning (FPM) Division.
Building Skills to Foster Action: Capability and Capacity
February 7, 2024, Noon to 3:45 p.m. ET
This session will explore ways for communities to reduce the risk of loss of life and property by using available programs, tools and resources. It will cover strengthening mitigation in every phase of the disaster cycle; using requirements and incentives to influence decisions; and utilizing funding across programs to address mitigation investment priorities.
FEMA Partners Driving Change in Hazard Mitigation
Panelists will discuss how public sector and private sector entities are partnering to strengthen mitigation.
Putting Mitigation Plans into Action
The State of Pennsylvania and FEMA will discuss the Plan Implementation and Grants Develop Workshop (PIGD) approach. PIGD workshops have helped local communities develop HMPs and turn them into effective projects. This session will provide insights into the PIGD approach and its impact on local stakeholders.
Session 3A: Documenting Compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act
The Community Official Toolkit (2019) provides resources for officials and mitigation champions to engage communities in building resilience.
Session 3B: Designing Approachable, Accessible, and Adaptable Flood Risk Communications: Updates to the Community Officials Toolkit
The Community Official Toolkit (2019) provides resources for officials and mitigation champions to engage communities in building resilience.
Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF: Applicant Experience Roundtable
The Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF is the first HMA program offering capitalization grants for revolving loan funds. In this panel, first-round Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) applicants will share insights on setting up revolving loan funds, meeting fund entity match requirements, and maximizing program benefits.
Applying Climate Information to Risk Management
Historical data are no longer enough for risk management. Federal agencies offer a wealth of climate information resources, like the Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation (CMRA) and the Climate Risk and Resilience (ClimRR) portals, the Climate Resilience Toolkit, and the NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer. This panel will discuss their applications and new tools in development, as well as funding for regionally tailored climate information.
Delivering Direct Technical Assistance: Lessons Learned from the Field
The BRIC DTA team will moderate this panel with FEMA staff and two DTA communities. They will discuss two case studies, one involving the Chippewa Cree tribal nation’s micro-grid/solar array project, and the other evaluating flood-prone Eastwick’s mitigation measures.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Compliance Audit Update
FEMA is redesigning the Community Assistance Contact / Community Assistance process to increase compliance and resilience. The new NFIP Compliance Audit Program will improve transparency and accountability. FEMA will share audit scenarios and rollout plans in this session.
The Knowledge Exchange Lounge is a virtual space where event attendees can socialize and share organizational resources. Once in the lounge, participants can join one of several knowledge exchange roundtables to discuss specific topics and share their unique perspectives and insights.
State Training Day: Floodplain Management
Participation in this training is by invitation for FEMA HQ and Regional Staff and State partners only. If you are a State or FEMA staff and would like an invitation, please contact Heidi M. Carlin, CFM at heidi.carlin@fema.dhs.gov
Hazard Mitigation Assistance Training
February 8, 2024, Noon to 3:45 p.m. ET
The NHMA HMA Grants course provides practical training to improve community resilience in hazard mitigation. This session covers five core areas and has been updated with current policy updates.
This presentation will demonstrate how a local project owner compiles the benefits of mitigation projects. It will include methods that a local professional can use to quantify and document the benefits. Other considerations include project cost estimates to easily assess cost-effectiveness using the FEMA Benefit-Cost Analysis Toolkit.
This is a brief introduction for new users of the FEMA Grants Outcomes (GO) grants management system. It will cover lessons learned, and there will be time for questions and answers. The intended audience for this training is current FEMA GO users, as well as state, local, tribal and territorial representatives interested in applying for BRIC or FMA grants.
This session will be repeated at 2:45 p.m.
Shawn will only be discussing system-related issues.
This session is a repeat of the session at 1:55 p.m.
This is a brief introduction for new users of the FEMA Grants Outcomes (GO) grants management system. It will cover lessons learned, and there will be time for questions and answers. The intended audience for this training is current FEMA GO users, as well as state, local, tribal and territorial representatives interested in applying for BRIC or FMA grants.
Shawn will only be discussing system-related issues.