FEMA and Tribal Nations 

A POCKET GUIDE

Product of the Tribal Affairs Branch 

in the Office of External Affairs, 

Intergovernmental Affairs Division FEMA B-1000/September 2014

FEMA B-1000

Catalog No. 14240-1

Introduction

The Tribal Affairs Branch of the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency (FEMA) Office of External Affairs 

is pleased to offer this pocket guide to help federally 

recognized tribes (hereafter referred to as “tribes”) 

quickly reference information about FEMA programs 

and the agency’s engagement with tribes. 

FEMA is committed to engaging with tribes as part 

of its government-to-government relationship that 

recognizes tribal sovereignty. FEMA is a resource for 

tribes in their efforts to prepare for, protect against, 

respond to, recover from, and mitigate against 

emergencies and disasters that impact Indian 

Country. 

This pocket guide answers questions about how 

FEMA engages with tribes, explains FEMA’s tribal 

policies, and provides contact information for FEMA 

team members who are working with tribal nations. 

In this pocket guide, there are also brief descriptions 

of FEMA programs and how they can help affected 

tribes.

The National Tribal Affairs Advisor (NTAA) at FEMA 

is the lead advisor to the FEMA Administrator for 

tribal affairs at FEMA Headquarters. The NTAA works 

closely with FEMA leadership, program staff, and the 

Regional Tribal Liaisons (RTLs) to ensure that FEMA 

is engaging with tribes. RTLs are a resource for tribes 

regarding information on FEMA programs. 
FEMA Tribal Policy

FEMA recently updated its Tribal Policy in 2013 

to reaffirm a commitment to enhancing the 

relationship with tribes and to ensure that FEMA 

and tribes work together to build, sustain, and 

improve capacity to prepare for, protect against, 

respond to, recover from, and mitigate against all 

hazards. The policy is posted online at 

www.fema.gov/tribal-policies-legislation.

The main objectives of the policy are to build 

strong and lasting partnerships with federally 

recognized tribes, direct the agency’s interactions 

with Indian tribal governments, and mirror the 

commitment of the Department of Homeland 

Security (DHS) to implementing Executive Order 

13175, Consultation and Coordination with 

Indian Tribal Governments, and the Presidential 

Memorandum of November 5, 2009, Tribal 

Consultation.

The policy outlines FEMA’s commitment to working 

in partnership with tribes on a governmentto-government basis. FEMA is aware that a 

concerted effort between FEMA and American 

Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments 

is needed to establish regular and meaningful 

consultation and collaboration in the development 

of policies that have implications for tribal 

communities.

The Tribal Policy includes the following themes:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

FEMA commits to building a government-togovernment relationship with Indian tribal

governments.

FEMA acknowledges the trust responsibility

of the Federal Government to Indian tribal

governments, as established by treaties, 

court decisions, statutes, executive orders, 

regulations, and policies.

FEMA commits to building a strong and lasting 

partnership with tribes to assist them in

preparing for, responding to, and recovering 

quickly from hazards.

FEMA will consult with federally recognized 

Indian tribal governments before taking

a proposed FEMA action that has tribal

implications. 

FEMA will encourage cooperation and 

partnership between and among Federal,

tribal, state, and local governments, and 

public and private entities. 

FEMA will identify and take reasonable, 

appropriate steps to eliminate or diminish

procedural impediments to working directly

and effectively with tribal governments.

FEMA will incorporate the Tribal Policy within 

the fundamental tenets of the agency’s

mission.
Tribal Consultation

The Tribal Consultation Policy establishes a 

process to guide FEMA employees on how to 

engage tribes and tribal officials in regular and 

meaningful consultation and collaboration on 

actions that have tribal implications. The policy 

is issued under Executive Order 13175 and the 

Presidential Memorandum of November 5, 2009, 

Tribal Consultation, and is consistent with the 

process described in the DHS Tribal Consultation 

Policy.

The consultation process at FEMA consists of four 

phases:

1. Identification. (1) FEMA identifies an action 

to consider for consultation, or (2) an 

Indian tribe or tribal official requests FEMA 

to consider consultation on an action by 

contacting the National Tribal Affairs Advisor 

(NTAA).

2. Notification. If FEMA intends to conduct 

consultation on an action, FEMA notifies tribal 

officials that the consultation will occur.

3. Input. FEMA receives input from tribal officials 

and tribes on the action. This phase should 

continue until FEMA finds that there is 

sufficient input to make an informed decision 

about the action. 

4. Follow-up. FEMA incorporates the input 

received from tribes into FEMA’s decisionmaking process. FEMA communicates with the 

tribes that engaged in consultation to inform 

those tribes of FEMA’s decision on the action. 

Final decisions can also be found on 

www.fema.gov/tribal.

A list of current and past consultations between 

FEMA and tribes is available at www.fema.gov/

tribal-consultation. For questions or comments on 

tribal consultations or the process, please email 

tribalconsultation@fema.dhs.gov or contact your 

Regional Tribal Liaison. 

Preparedness Grants

The Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program 

(THSGP) plays an important role in the National 

Preparedness System by supporting the building, 

sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities 

essential to achieving the National Preparedness 

Goal of a secure and resilient Nation. The 

THSGP increases the ability of tribes to prevent, 

prepare for, protect against, and respond to acts 

of terrorism, meet their capability targets, and 

otherwise reduce risk to tribes. 

THSGP supports the achievement of the goal by: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Preventing a threatened or actual act of 

terrorism;

Protecting tribal residents, visitors, and assets

against the greatest threats and hazards;

Mitigating the loss of life and property by

lessening the impact of future disasters;

Responding quickly to save lives, protect

property and the environment, and meet basic

human needs in the aftermath of a catastrophic

incident; and

Recovering through a focus on the timely 

restoration, strengthening, and revitalization

of infrastructure, housing, and a sustainable

economy, as well as the health, social, 

cultural, historic, and environmental fabric 

of communities affected by a catastrophic 

incident.

Annual funds are available for allowable costs 

under the THSGP to a federally recognized tribe 

that meets certain criteria. Particular emphasis 

in THSGP will be placed on activities that build 

and sustain core capabilities that address the 

greatest risks to the security and resilience of 

tribal communities and the United States. 
In addition to THSGP, tribes may also be eligible 

for the following programs:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Emergency Management Performance Grants 

Nonprofit Security Grant Program 

Homeland Security Grant Program

Port Security Grant Program 

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency 

Response Grant Program

Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program

For many of these grant programs, tribes

are eligible as a sub-recipient to the State 

Administrative Agency. Each grant program has 

specific requirements for applying, and tribal 

governments should be sure to review these 

requirements before applying to the program. 

More information about these programs and 

eligibility can be found online at 

www.fema.gov/preparedness-non-disaster-grants. 

Training Opportunities

FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) 

offers courses for tribal audiences, including 

tribal emergency managers, tribal community 

response personnel, and tribal leaders. Courses 

are available both online and in person. More 

information about the tribal curriculum can be 

found online at www.training.fema.gov/tribal.

Training is also available at FEMA’s Center for 

Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in 10 different 

disciplines, such as law enforcement, health care, 

and hazardous materials. Training is fully funded by 

DHS and includes travel, lodging, and meals. More 

information about CDP can be found at 

https://cdp.dhs.gov.

FEMA also supports and partners with the National 

Domestic Preparedness Consortium, composed of 

a number of non-Federal institutions that possess 

recognized expertise in a variety of response 

disciplines. Training is delivered at no cost to 

participants. More information on the Consortium is 

available at www.ndpc.us.

In addition, FEMA supports the Rural Domestic 

Preparedness Consortium (RDPC), designed to 

deliver no-cost training and resources to rural first 

responders. RDPC courses are provided both in 

person and online. More information may be found 

at www.ruraltraining.org.

Please contact your Regional Tribal Liaison to learn 

about training opportunities available in your area.
National Flood Insurance Program

Anywhere it rains, it can flood. A flood is a 

general and temporary condition where two or 

more acres of normally dry land, or two or more 

properties, are inundated by water or mudflow. A 

full definition can be found in your Standard Flood 

Insurance Policy. Many conditions can result in a 

flood: hurricanes, overtopped levees, outdated or 

clogged drainage systems, and rapid accumulation 

of rainfall. Just because you have not experienced 

a flood in the past does not mean you will not in 

the future. Since standard homeowners insurance 

does not cover flooding, it is important to have 

protection from the floods associated with 

hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains, and other 

conditions. 

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), 

administered by FEMA, works closely with nearly 

90 private insurance companies to offer flood 

insurance to personal property and commercial 

owners, including condominium associations, 

homeowners, business owners, and renters. In 

order to qualify for flood insurance, a community 

must join the NFIP and agree to enforce sound 

floodplain management standards. The NFIP offers 

flood insurance that can be purchased through 

licensed property and casualty insurance agents. 

Rates are set and do not differ from company to 

company or agent to agent. These rates depend 

on many factors, which include the date and type 

of construction of your home, along with your 

building’s level of risk. 

Your local community may also participate in 

NFIP’s Community Rating System, a voluntary 

incentive program where residents may be eligible 

for discounted flood insurance premium rates 

when the community takes action to surpass the 

minimum requirements to reduce the flood risk in 

their communities. 

As of 2014, 42 tribes participate in NFIP, which 

accounts for approximately 455 insurance 

policies. 

Visit www.floodsmart.gov for more information 

on assessing your flood risk, purchasing flood 

insurance, and protecting your property and 

community from flood hazards.
Contact FEMA 

Tribal Affairs

FEMA’s tribal efforts are coordinated within 

the Administrator’s Office of External Affairs’ 

Intergovernmental Affairs Division. This office 

leads tribal relations and consultation at FEMA 

and serves as the main point of contact between 

the FEMA Administrator and tribal leaders across 

the country. The team works closely with FEMA 

program offices and regional offices to better 

partner and engage the Nation’s 566 federally 

recognized tribal governments.

National Tribal Affairs Advisor

Name: Milo Booth

Office: 202-212-5184

Mobile: 202-701-4687

Email: Milo.Booth@fema.dhs.gov

500 C Street SW

Washington, DC 20472

Regional Tribal Liaisons

There is a Regional Tribal Liaison (RTL) for each 

FEMA region where federally recognized tribes 

reside. An RTL will be part of the response team if 

a federally declared emergency or disaster impacts 

a tribe or Native village. RTLs are a great resource 

and can answer questions and provide technical 

assistance. They are the information gateway 

between tribes and FEMA programs and funding 

opportunities to support disaster mitigation 

and emergency planning. You can find contact 

information for each RTL at 

www.fema.gov/contact-fema-tribal-liaisons. 

FEMA Regional Offices

Region I: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT

99 High Street

Boston, MA 02110

877-336-2734

Region II: NJ, NY, PR, VI

26 Federal Plaza

New York, NY 10278-0002

212-680-3600

Region III: DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV

500 C Street SW

Washington, DC 20472

800-621-3362

Region IV: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, 

SC, TN

3003 Chamblee Tucker Road

Atlanta, GA 30341

770-220-5200

Region V: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI

536 South Clark Street, 6th Floor

Chicago, IL 60605

312-408-5500

Region VI: AR, LA, NM, OK, TX

FRC 800 North Loop 288

Denton, TX 76209-3698

940-898-5399

Region VII: IA, KS, MO, NE

9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 300

Kansas City, MO 64114-3372

816-283-7061

Region VIII: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY

Denver Federal Center

Building 710, Box 25267

Denver, CO 80225-0267

303-235-4800

Region IX: AZ, CA, HI, NV, and the 

Pacific Islands

1111 Broadway, Suite 1200

Oakland, CA 94607-4052

800-323-5248

Region X: AK, ID, OR, WA

Federal Regional Center

130 - 228th Street, Southwest

Bothell, WA 98021-8627

425-487-4600
An Overview of FEMA 

Disaster Assistance Programs

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 

Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) authorizes 

the President to make supplemental assistance 

available when an incident overwhelms the 

capabilities of tribal, state, or local governments. 

The President makes disaster assistance available 

after an emergency declaration or major disaster 

declaration. 

The Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 

(SRIA) amended the Stafford Act to provide 

federally recognized tribal governments the 

option to request an emergency or major disaster 

declaration independently of a state. Tribes still 

have the choice to be considered part of a state’s 

declaration request if they wish. FEMA and Indian 

Country advocated for this change.

All disaster declaration requests must be 

submitted to the President through the appropriate 

Regional Administrator within 30 days of the 

incident. FEMA encourages tribal governments to 

coordinate with the appropriate FEMA region when 

it considers requesting a declaration. 

FEMA regional offices are available to offer tribes 

technical assistance on requesting disaster 

assistance. 

Information and updates on the process for tribes 

to request a Stafford Act declaration can be found 

at www.fema.gov/tribal. 

When a Disaster Occurs

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Tribal, state, or local officials conduct an initial 

damage assessment.

The tribe or the state requests a joint 

preliminary damage assessment from FEMA.

The tribal chief executive or state governor

submits a request to the President through 

a FEMA regional office for an emergency

declaration or major disaster declaration within 

30 days of the incident.

FEMA evaluates the request and makes a 

recommendation to the President on whether

or not to make an emergency or major

disaster declaration and authorize Stafford Act 

assistance. 

The President makes a determination and the 

tribe is notified.

Through a declaration, the President may make

available the Public Assistance Program, the

Individual Assistance Program, and/or the Hazard 

Mitigation Grant Program. The type of assistance 

authorized by the declaration will depend on the 

impacts of the incident and the resulting unmet 

needs.
Public Assistance 

Program

The Public Assistance Program provides assistance 

for debris removal, emergency protective 

measures, and the repair, replacement, or 

restoration of disaster-damaged, governmentowned facilities, such as schools and roads. 

Certain private nonprofit facilities may also 

be eligible. The Public Assistance Program 

encourages protection of these damaged facilities 

from future events by providing assistance for 

cost-effective hazard mitigation measures during 

the recovery process.

• 

• 

Federal cost share: Not less than 75% of 

eligible costs

Non-Federal cost share: 25% 

The President has the authority to increase the

Federal share in situations of severe impact. Tribes 

directly requesting a Presidential declaration may 

request an adjustment of the cost share. 

What May Be Covered

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Debris removal

Emergency protective measures 

(i.e., sheltering, feeding, evacuation)

Damaged roads and bridges 

Water control facilities

Buildings and equipment, which may include 

tribally owned housing

Private, nonprofit utilities

Parks and recreational facilities 

To be eligible for Public Assistance funding, the

work or facility must be:

• 

• 

• 

Located within the designated area of the 

declaration

Required as a result of a declared event

The legal responsibility of the tribe

Visit www.fema.gov/tribal or contact your FEMA 

region for additional information.

Post-Disaster Hazard 

Mitigation Grants 

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) 

provides grants to tribal, state, and local 

governments to implement cost-effective, longterm hazard mitigation measures after a major 

disaster declaration. While the Pre-Disaster 

Mitigation (PDM) and Flood Mitigation Assistance 

(FMA) programs are mitigation grant programs that 

provide mitigation funds before a disaster occurs, 

the purpose of the HMGP is to reduce the loss of 

life and damage to property due to disasters, and 

to enable mitigation measures to be implemented 

during the immediate recovery after a disaster. 

HMGP grants are required to have at least a 25% 

non-Federal cost share. The President does not 

have the authority to waive this cost share. 

Examples of Eligible HMGP 

Activities

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Property acquisition 

Structure elevation

Minor flood reduction projects

Infrastructure retrofit

Safe rooms

Soil stabilization

Wildfire mitigation

Generators

Hazard mitigation planning

Management costs

The PDM and FMA programs share the same

purpose, but have different funding authorizations

and application time periods under Hazard 

Mitigation Assistance. A complete description of 

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs 

is available online at www.fema.gov/hazardmitigation-assistance in the Hazard Mitigation 

Assistance Unified Guidance. Technical assistance 

is available through the FEMA Regional 

Administrators and staff, including the Regional 

Tribal Liaisons.
Individual Assistance Program

The Individual Assistance Program provides 

supplemental assistance to individuals and 

households adversely affected by a major 

disaster. The President may authorize all or 

some of the following Individual Assistance 

programs: Individuals and Households Program, 

Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Disaster 

Legal Services, Crisis Counseling Assistance, and 

Disaster Case Management. When requesting 

declarations, tribal governments must specify 

what types of Individual Assistance programs are 

needed.

Individuals and Households 

Program

The Stafford Act authorizes the President to 

provide financial assistance or direct services 

to those disaster survivors who have necessary 

expenses and serious needs that are unmet 

through other means, such as insurance. 

The Individuals and Households Program may 

provide Housing Assistance and/or Other Needs 

Assistance. 

Housing Assistance may include:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Financial assistance to renters or homeowners 

for lodging or rental expenses while repairs are

made to the pre-disaster primary residence

Financial assistance to homeowners to repair

disaster-related damage not covered by

insurance 

Direct temporary housing when disaster 

survivors cannot make use of financial

temporary housing assistance due to a lack of

adequate alternate housing

Other Needs Assistance may include:

Financial assistance to pay for disaster-related 

medical or dental expenses

Financial assistance to pay for expenses 

incurred for a death due to the disaster

Financial assistance to repair or replace 

common household items, such as furniture

and appliances, or ADA-accessible items

Financial assistance to repair or replace a 

vehicle damaged by the disaster, or any other

transportation-related costs

Financial assistance provided through Other Needs 

Assistance has a 75% Federal–25% non-Federal 

cost share, as mandated by the Stafford Act, 

which the President cannot waive or adjust. The 

Stafford Act does not require a non-Federal cost 

share for temporary housing assistance.

Under a tribal declaration, the tribal government 

determines allowable amounts for Other Needs 

Assistance through the Other Needs Assistance 

Administrative Plan. Please contact your FEMA 

regional office for more information. 

Disaster Unemployment 

Assistance

The Stafford Act authorizes the President to 

provide Disaster Unemployment Assistance 

to individuals who have lost work or become 

unemployed as a result of a major disaster 

and who are not eligible for regular state 

unemployment insurance. Benefits start on the 

date of unemployment and can extend up to 26 

weeks after the Presidential disaster declaration 

date. All unemployed individuals must first register 

with the state employment services office. 

 

FEMA delegated to the Secretary of Labor 

the responsibility of administering Disaster

Unemployment Assistance. When the President 

authorizes Disaster Unemployment Assistance, 

state unemployment insurance agencies 

implement the program on behalf of the 

Department of Labor. 
Disaster Legal Services

The Stafford Act authorizes the President to 

provide disaster legal services for low-income 

disaster victims for disaster-related legal needs. 

Free legal help is provided through the Young 

Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association. 

Services include assistance with:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Insurance claims

Wills, power of attorney, and other legal 

papers lost in the disaster

Home repair contracts or contractors

Advice on problems with landlords

Crisis Counseling Assistance 

and Training Program

The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training 

Program is a grant-based program, which funds 

community-based crisis counseling activities. 

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

Assisting disaster survivors with stress and 

anxiety mitigation

Using or developing coping strategies

Linking disaster survivors with other resources 

that may help in their recovery process

If the tribe identifies unmet crisis counseling

needs, the tribe may apply to the FEMA Crisis 

Counseling Program. The tribal government 

can request technical assistance on the needs 

assessment and the application development. 

Contact your FEMA regional office for more 

information.

Disaster Case Management 

Program

The Disaster Case Management Program provides 

funding to supplement case management services 

in affected communities. Through Disaster Case 

Management, case managers work with disaster 

survivors to develop and carry out a Disaster 

Recovery Plan, which assesses disaster-caused 

unmet need and outlines steps necessary to 

achieve recovery. The case manager will support 

the disaster survivors’ efforts to meet recovery 

plan goals and provide information on available 

resources that match the survivors’ disastercaused unmet needs. 

After a major disaster declaration that 

authorizes Individual Assistance, the tribal 

government can request Disaster Case 

Management support through the regional 

office. The tribal government can also 

request technical assistance with application 

development. Contact your FEMA regional office 

for more information. 

Disaster Registration Process

The first step to receiving individual assistance 

is to register with FEMA. Individuals and families 

who have sustained losses due to a disaster can 

apply for assistance by calling 800-621-FEMA 

(3362) or visiting www.disasterassistance.gov. 

Applicants can also visit a disaster recovery 

center. To apply for assistance, individuals 

seeking help will need:

A Social Security number

Financial information, including family 

income at the time of the disaster

Current contact information

The address of the damaged property

Electronic Funds Transfer information 

(optional)
U.S. Small Business Administration 

Disaster Assistance Program

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 

provides low-interest loans to homeowners, 

renters, businesses of all sizes, and private 

nonprofit organizations who suffered uninsured or 

underinsured losses from a declared disaster. 

• 

✧

✧

• 

✧

✧

Home and Personal Property Loans 

Up to $200,000 to repair or replace 

disaster-caused damages to a primary 

residence

Up to $40,000 to replace personal property

Business Physical Disaster Loans for 

businesses of all sizes

For nonfarm businesses and private, 

nonprofit organizations, such as charities, 

churches, and private schools

Up to $2 million to repair or replace 

disaster-damaged property

• 

✧

✧

• 

Economic Injury Disaster Loans for working capital

Up to $2 million for small nonfarm businesses; 

small agricultural cooperatives; small 

businesses engaged in aquaculture; and most

private, nonprofit organizations of any size

To cover normal operating expenses through 

the disaster recovery period

In some cases, SBA can provide additional loan 

funds to refinance existing mortgages and/or to

mitigate future damage from similar disasters

Disaster loan recipients must obtain and maintain

appropriate insurance, including flood insurance 

if property was damaged by flood or is located in 

a Special Flood Hazard Area. Secondary homes, 

pleasure boats, and similar items are not eligible. 

More information about this program is available at 

800-659-2955 or online at www.sba.gov/disaster.

Helpful Links and Numbers

FEMA Website: www.fema.gov

Tribal Affairs

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Phone: 202-646-3444 

Online: www.fema.gov/tribal

Registration for Disaster Assistance 

Phone: 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 

TTY 800-462-7585 for the speech or

hearing impaired 

Online: www.disasterassistance.gov

National Flood Insurance Program

Phone: 888-379-9531

Online: www.floodsmart.gov

U.S. Fire Administration

Phone: 301-447-1000

Online: www.usfa.fema.gov

Product of the Tribal Affairs Branch in the Office of 

External Affairs, Intergovernmental Affairs Division