Description
The Federal Emergency Management Agency proposes to enter into a Cooperative Agreement for an estimated $850,000.00 with three Earthquake Consortia for the purposes of supporting nonprofit organizations which deliver: deliver education and training to community and State officials; develop seismic policies and share information to promote programs intended to reduce earthquake-related losses; and reduce the loss of life, injuries, property losses, and social and economic disruption that results from all hazards. Natural hazards exist everywhere. Throughout its history, the United States (US) has experienced floods, wildfires, winter storms, landslides, windstorms, and earthquakes. But of all of these natural disasters, earthquakes pose one of the greatest threats to lives, property, and economy, not only to communities within the western and central US, but indirectly to the Nation as a whole. Under Public Law 95-124, as amended, Congress established the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). In 2008, NEHRP agencies engaged in the development of a strategic plan to guide NEHRP over the 2009-2013 timeframe. The strategic plan focuses on three overarching goals to develop, disseminate, and promote knowledge, tools, and practices for earthquake risk reduction: Improve the understanding of earthquake processes and impacts; Develop cost-effective measures to reduce earthquake impacts on individuals, the built environment, and society-at-large; and Improve the earthquake resilience of communities nationwide. The purpose of this funding, through the Central US Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC), Northeast States Emergency Consortium (NESEC), and Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC) is to provide guidance and assistance to States and local communities by:i) Developing seismic policies and sharing information promoting programs intended to reduce earthquake-related losses; ii) Providing forums for information exchange to develop, adopt, and promote policy recommendations; iii) Conducting outreach to local governments and the business community, and maintain and strengthen partnerships with other earthquake consortia; iv) Helping deliver professional training to local communities;v) Educating citizens about the risks they face, and developing public awareness and education tools and resources; andvi) Encouraging public and private partnerships that benefit local communities.Each fiscal year, FEMA establishes target allocations of Consortia Cooperative Agreement program funds for each eligible Consortium. The specific activities and the distribution of funds among them that will be undertaken with these cooperative agreements will be determined during the negotiations between FEMA and CUSEC, NESEC, and WSSPC. Projects or initiatives that are eligible for funding under this announcement may not involve Geospatial (GIS) issues.