Welcome back to Disaster Discourse Quarterly!
Welcome back to Disaster Discourse Monthly. This month, we offer updates on the swearing in of the 12th, and first female, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic and vaccine distribution efforts; the threat posed by active shooter events and how communities can prepare for them; Hurricane Season 2021 and the peak time for wildfires; and job opportunities with Hagerty’s growing Response Division.
Deanne Criswell is sworn in as the 12th FEMA Administrator…
On April 27, Deanne Criswell was sworn in as the 12th FEMA Administrator, marking her the first woman to serve in this role. Administrator Criswell was nominated by President Biden and has more than 25 years of emergency management experience and previously served in the Colorado National Guard and was the Commissioner for New York City Emergency Management. Team Hagerty had the privilege of working alongside Administrator Criswell during her tenure as commissioner of the New York City Emergency Management Department, and we look forward to supporting her in this new role. Congratulations, Administrator!
The COVID-19 Pandemic and vaccine distribution…
The United States (US) has reported more than 32 million people have been infected with COVID-19; while globally over 3.1 million have died from the virus. To date, over 43% of the US population has been vaccinated either partially or fully; and, now, everyone over the age of 16 in the US is now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine in the US. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 237 million vaccines have been administered in the US and US territories and nearly 100 million people have been fully vaccinated. Additionally, just last week, the CDC eased outdoor masked mandates for fully vaccinated individuals. Curious how vaccine distribution is progressing where you live and around the world? Click here to find out.
Active shooter events continue to pose a significant threat to communities nationwide…
Recently, on April 14, a gunman opened fire at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, Indiana killing eight people and injuring five others. The shooter opened fire late at night when multiple employees were on breaks, and started firing in the parking lot before making his way into the building.
Recognizing the continued threat of active shooter events, earlier this year, US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced that as part of the newly released 2021 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Preparedness Grants, combating domestic violent extremism (DVE) would be a ‘National Priority Area’. Coupled with continued lone actor attacks, cyberattacks, and complex coordinated terrorist attacks (CCTA), local and state government face a profound challenge as they prepare for and potentially respond to, these types of active threat events. You can learn more about Hagerty’s Hunter Seeker Exercise and how to best prepare for these events in your community here.
Hurricane Season 2021 and the peak time for wildfires are just around the corner…
Are you prepared? This month, Hagerty’s Response Division will be providing things to think about as you get your community ready for another potentially active disaster season amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. You can read the first blog in the series here from Hagerty’s Director of Response, Lee Mayfield.
Join us, we are hiring…
Hagerty’s Response Division is expanding and looking to hire emergency management professionals to support our clients across the nation in the immediate aftermath of disasters.
Currently, we are actively seeking project/ program managers with federal, state, local, non-profit, and/or private sector experience supporting emergency response and human services focused missions. Professionals must be willing to make a commitment of three to six months to ensure continuity of operations and mission success. You can learn more and apply here.
Featured Grants:
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act for Institutions of Higher Education that Meet the Criteria for the Minority Serving Institutions
New availability of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) program to address the needs of universities directly related to coronavirus, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, and payroll. This funding opportunity is for institutions that did not previously receive HEERF funding and targets Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and Minority Serving Institutions. Learn More:
- Source: Department of Education
- Funding Opportunity Number: ED-GRANTS-041321-004
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $439,994,312
- Award Ceiling: N/A
- Application Due Date: July 12, 2021
- Eligible Applicants: Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private nonprofit institutions of higher education.
Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program Competing Supplement
This funding opportunity is for recipients who are currently funded in the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (HRSA-19-008) to apply for supplemental funding under the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) Competing Supplement. The purpose of the funding is to create and deliver COVID-19 specific education and training to the nursing home workforce, the nursing home residents, families and caregivers within the context of the age-friendly health system. Training should address management and treatment of older adults living in nursing homes, those with dementia, those with high risk of contracting COVID-19, are currently ill with COVID-19, and families and caregivers who have been impacted by COVID-19. Learn More:
- Source: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration
- Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA-21-111
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $2,000,000
- Award Ceiling: $187,500
- Application Due Date: June 14, 2021
- Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are recipients currently funded in the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (HRSA-19-008).
CDC’s Collaboration with Academia to Strengthen Public Health Workforce Capacity [Forecasted]
Private and nonprofit institutions of higher education.
Description: Formal training in public health occurs through the nations college and university system, is often expensive and can only reach small portions of the population at any given time because of enrollment limitations, this funding opportunity is to increase the capability of the existing workforce, strength systems and capacity to support the workforce to respond to the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. A guide of what certification and training requirements the recipient is expected to implement can be found on the notice of funding opportunity. Learn More:
- Source: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control -CSELS
- Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-OE17-17010502SUPP21
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $300,000
- Award Ceiling: $2,000,000
- Application Due Date: July 1, 2021
- Eligible Applicants: Private and nonprofit institutions of higher education.
Expanding the National Approach to Chronic Disease Education and Awareness
This funding opportunity will allow the CDC to work with stakeholders to expand public health education and awareness that improve surveillance, diagnosis, and proper treatment for chronic diseases. This three-year grant will complement CDC’s NCCDPHP by supporting recipients with: (1) data dissemination activities that support awareness for public health professionals, (2) develop data collection tools to fill surveillance gaps, (3) educational activities supporting public awareness, and (4) educational activities supporting health professionals screening. Learn More:
- Source: Department of Health and Human Service, Centers for Disease Control – NCCDPHP
- Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-DP21-2112
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $3,900,000
- Award Ceiling: $400,000
- Application Due Date: June 21, 2021
- Eligible Applicants: Nonprofit, private, and public/state institutions of higher education, city or township governments, school districts, county and state governments, Native American tribal organizations, public housing authorities, small businesses, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.