
FEMA Needs to Improve Oversight and Management of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Property Acquisitions
Domestic Preparedness
June 27, 2022
Through grants to states, FEMA uses the HMGP to purchase properties that are flood damaged or in flood-prone areas, demolish any structures on them, and ensure they are maintained forever as open space. FEMA has acquired more than 32,000 properties for open space since 1989.

USDA Announces New SARS-COV-2 Research Funding Opportunity Through the American Rescue Plan Act
Domestic Preparedness
June 27, 2022
he U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced it will commit up to $24 million for research grants through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative and the National Science Foundation Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases program. These grants will support research that directly aligns with APHIS’ American Rescue Plan strategic framework and will support APHIS and its One Health partners’ efforts to identify risks and plan effective interventions to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at the human-animal interface and to prevent impacts to the food supply.

FDA Authorizes Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Down to 6 Months of Age
Domestic Preparedness
June 24, 2022
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 to include use in children down to 6 months of age.

Working Together: Partnership, Training, Funding & Tolerance
Catherine L. Feinman
June 22, 2022
When community stakeholders work together to prepare for emergencies and disasters, they will be
better prepared and have more resources to face whatever threats, risks, and hazards are in their
future. Four key aspects to consider when building community resilience are addressed in this June
edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal: public-private partnerships, training, funding, and
tolerance.

Building Capability: Zero Tolerance vs. Acceptability
Christopher Tantlinger
June 22, 2022
A tool designed with zero tolerance would not be able to function efficiently or effectively.
Likewise, taking a zero-tolerance approach to emergency preparedness and response has led to some
problematic policies and procedures. This article explains why building in some level of acceptability
would make policies and procedures more effective and communities more resilient.

How The Best Get Better: Partnerships & A Trifecta Disaster
Judy Kruger and Scott Harris
June 21, 2022
March 11, 2011, is known for the Great East Japan Earthquake (or 3.11 in Japan). The day started as a rainy and cold day when a 9.1 earthquake caused numerous aftershocks that led to power outages, created cracks in roads and buildings, triggered a massive tsunami along the east coast of Japan, and damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Despite widespread damage that led to the deaths of nearly 16,000 people, Tokyo Disney Resort (TDR) withstood the impact due to engineering controls and numerous drills and exercises conducted at the resort in collaboration with the government (Central and Chiba government and local government) and private organizations (Oriental Land Company, OLC; Walt Disney Attraction Japan, WDAJ). Private-public partnerships (PPP) can help build a resilient infrastructure for communities and businesses and facilitate cross-sectoral coordination to deal with cascading events during a major catastrophe.

Public Safety Grant Programs Changes – A 10-Year Review
Kurt Bradley
June 15, 2022
Article Out Loud Change is inevitable. As society continues to progress in the “digital age,” so has applying for various federal grant programs. It is becoming almost impossible to apply

New Digital Indoor Mapping Capability Now Available for First Responders
Domestic Preparedness
June 14, 2022
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate funded the development of a cloud-based capability that enables first responders to review and analyze indoor floor plans in real-time when responding to incidents.

Statement from HHS Secretary Becerra on the CDC Decision to Rescind the Order Requiring Pre-Departure COVID-19 Testing Prior to Flight to the U.S.
Domestic Preparedness
June 13, 2022
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra issued a statement after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that – based on science and available data – pre-departure COVID-19 testing for U.S.-bound air travelers will no longer be required

Wildland Urban Interface: A Look at Issues and Resolutions
Domestic Preparedness
June 13, 2022
FEMA/DHS/USFA developed the “Wildland Urban Interface: A Look at Issues and Resolutions” to stimulate action by raising awareness of the crisis that our nation faces related to wildfire in the wildland urban interface