FEMA Resources for 

Climate Resilience 

December 2021 
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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

Table of Contents 

Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................2 

1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................4 

1.1 FEMA’s Role in Supporting Community Resilience .......................................................4 

1.2 How FEMA Supports Climate Change Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation...................5 

1.3 How FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience is Organized..........................................6 

2 Identifying and Assessing Climate Change Risks....................................................................8 

2.1 Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and Stakeholder 

Preparedness Review .....................................................................................................8 

2.2 Sea Level Rise and Flood Maps .....................................................................................9 

3 Mitigation Planning............................................................................................................... 11 

3.1 Audience/Program Beneficiary.................................................................................... 11 

3.2 How Hazard Mitigation Planning Addresses Climate Change ................................... 12 

4 Mitigation Funding & Community Capacity Building ............................................................ 13 

4.1 Annual Programming Funding ..................................................................................... 13 

4.1.1 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities ...................................................13 

4.1.2 National Flood Insurance Program/Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action .....................16 

4.1.3 Flood Mitigation Assistance ........................................................................................18 

4.1.5 National Exercise Program ..........................................................................................19 

4.1.6 Fire-Adapted Communities ..........................................................................................20 

4.2 Post-Disaster ................................................................................................................ 23 

4.2.1 FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.............................................................................23 

4.2.2 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program ...............................................................................25 

4.2.3 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post Fire................................................................28 

Appendix A: Acronyms.............................................................................................................30 

Cover Image: NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens, using GEOS-5 data from 

the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA GSFC and VIIRS data from NASA 

EOSDIS/LANCE and GIBS/Worldview and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership. 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

Executive Summary 

As climate change increases disaster risks across the country, emergency managers and 

government officials are beginning to implement strategies to build community resilience. FEMA 

Resources for Climate Resilience provides a roadmap of Federal Emergency Management Agency 

(FEMA) programs and initiatives that advance community climate resilience. FEMA Resources for 

Climate Resilience assists FEMA’s state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners in navigating the 

FEMA resources that are available to support communities in mitigating impacts of climate change. 

Building resilience is a long-term, ongoing cycle that requires multiple steps to accomplish. Each 

section of the FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience corresponds with a step in that cycle and 

provides information about FEMA services, programs, and grants available to SLTT partners. Each 

SLTT partner has a unique experience with FEMA and has participated in different elements of the 

resilience cycle. SLTT partners with limited FEMA experience may choose to start from the beginning 

of FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience, while other SLTT partners may navigate directly to their 

program of choice. 

Each section of FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience provides a brief description of the program, 

service, or grant, an overview of who can apply, examples of the FEMA programs in action, and 

helpful tools and resources for learning more about the program, service, or grant. In addition, where 

applicable, FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience also points out areas where equity can be 

prioritized. FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience explains how existing tools, such as the National 

Risk Index (Risk Index), can assist SLTT governments and their communities, right now, in making 

informed planning decisions including considerations of impacts from future weather conditions. 

FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience also provides a quick glance at FEMA funding sources, such 

as the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, designed to support 

communities in building capability and capacity to mitigate the increasing impacts of climate change. 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

Key Terms in this Guide 

Equity: The consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals. (Source: 

FEMA Equity Enterprise Steering Group) 

Resilience: The ability to prepare for and adapt to changing conditions and withstand and recover 

rapidly from disruptions. Resilience includes the ability to withstand and recover from deliberate 

attacks, accidents, or naturally occurring threats or incidents. (Source: National Institute of 

Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-37 Rev 2/PDD-21) 

Mitigation: The capabilities necessary to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of 

disasters. Mitigation is used interchangeably with hazard mitigation. (Source: FEMA National 

Mitigation Investment Strategy, August 2019) 

Adaptation: Measures that reduce risk from climate change today and from projected changes in 

the future. (Source: U.S. Global Change Research Program, “Fourth National Climate Assessment

Vol I + II,” (2018) 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

1 Introduction 

All over the United States, communities are working to increase their resilience against hazards, 

including extreme heat, drought, flooding, and wildfires. These risks and hazards are often 

exacerbated by climate change, and adaptation to climate change creates resilience. FEMA 

Resources for Climate Resilience is meant to provide a clear understanding of how existing FEMA 

programs, initiatives, resources, and coordinating authorities can support communities’ efforts to 

plan for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from the adverse impacts of climate change. 

FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during, and after disasters. 

Emergency managers must adapt to both immediate challenges and the long-term impacts of 

emerging climate risks. Historically, underserved and marginalized communities are particularly 

vulnerable to the effects of climate change and can be disproportionately harmed by disasters. To 

advance FEMA’s mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters, FEMA is dedicated to 

supporting all individuals and communities by supporting equitable climate resilience and working 

towards environmental justice. A particular goal is prevention; pre-incident preparedness can be 

more valuable, and more cost-effective, than post-hazard response. 

FEMA is supporting community climate action through information, preparedness, mitigation, 

response and recovery, grants, and field operations. FEMA programs will help communities 

understand the climate-related risks they face, assess their greatest vulnerabilities, and plan for 

critical preparedness and climate adaptation measures. The goal is to reduce vulnerability and 

support safer, more climate-resilient communities. FEMA will continue leveraging the expertise and 

resources of other federal agencies by incorporating their climate data into programs and decisionmaking. 

FEMA works with all levels of government and sectors of communities, including the private sector, 

academia, and underserved communities. The agency’s programs provide guidance, support, 

technical assistance, and funding based in emergency management best practices for risk and 

capability assessment, planning, training, and exercises. 

1.1 FEMA’s Role in Supporting Community Resilience 

FEMA supports a more resilient nation through whole community integration of plans and programs. 

This ensures continuity of the critical services and essential functions upon which neighbors and 

communities depend. The Nation must address the threats and hazards to its communities, in order 

to maintain its own core essential function. Increasingly, these threats and hazards are linked to our 

changing climate. Integrating science-based methodologies into all aspects of FEMA’s programs

supports more resilient communities and strengthens our nation by preparing SLTT governments to 

adjust to the current and expected impacts of climate change. FEMA’s climate adaptation efforts

incorporate current and future risks, helping reduce the effects of climate driven disasters on our 

nation’s communities. 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

FEMA supports building climate resilience by: 

• Providing information about climate-related risks; 

• Supporting the use of climate forecasting information for planning and project design; 

• Supporting risk reduction actions and nature-based or green infrastructure solutions; 

• Providing access to and encouraging the use of disaster insurance; and, 

• Supporting coordinated partner approaches to building community adaptation strategies. 

As a continuously evolving organization, FEMA regards each incident as an opportunity to enhance 

national resilience, improve agency practices and programs, and enable SLTT governments to better 

understand and adapt to increasing risks from climate change. Most importantly, the agency’s

climate adaptation mitigation efforts look to shift the federal focus away from reactive, post-incident 

disaster spending and toward research-supported, proactive investment in community resilience and 

climate adaptation measures. 

1.2 How FEMA Supports Climate Change Adaptation and Hazard 

Mitigation 

Before a disaster, FEMA works with SLTT governments to develop all hazard mitigation plans that 

address current and future risks, including possible impacts of climate change. In addition to 

planning support, FEMA provides tools and 

resources to inform communities’ specific 

planning priorities. Examples include data 

and risk analysis based on climate 

forecasting information, partnerships, 

training and exercise support, and annual 

programming funding used for addressing 

climate change adaptation. After a disaster, 

FEMA supports SLTT governments in 

recovering and rebuilding with resilience and 

reducing the impact of future disasters. 

To promote resilience, FEMA developed the 

National Risk Index, offering information on 

an assortment of risks. Intended to promote 

efforts to increase resilience, the Risk Index 

contains authoritative data from multiple 

federal partners and received input from 

more than 55 partners across the public and private sectors including state, regional and local 

government agencies, academia, private organizations, and nonprofits. The Risk Index helps 

determine the U.S. communities most at risk for 18 natural hazards. The Risk Index defines 

community resilience as the ability of a community to prepare for anticipated natural hazards, adapt 

Nature-Based Solutions 

Nature-based solutions include sustainable 

planning, design, environmental management, 

and engineering practices that weave natural 

features and processes into the built 

environment to promote adaptation and 

resilience. Such solutions enlist natural 

features and processes in efforts to combat 

climate change, reduce flood risks, improve 

water quality, protect coastal property, restore, 

and protect wetlands, stabilize shorelines, 

reduce urban heat, add recreational space, and 

more. Look for the green leaf icon in each 

section to see how FEMA programs support 

nature-based solutions. 

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to changing conditions, and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions. FEMA encourages SLTT 

governments to consult the Risk Index to gain insight around current and future risks. 

FEMA’s support to SLTT governments includes efforts such as nature-based solutions, which can 

significantly increase resilience. The agency emphasizes that nature-based solutions are an 

important part of a community’s risk reduction strategy. Communities across the country are finding 

nature-based solutions to be successful and cost-effective ways to provide public services that were 

traditionally met with structural or “gray” infrastructure. The FEMA publication Building Community 

Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions encourages SLTT governments to give careful attention to 

nature-based solutions. 

Risk reduction efforts include the new Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (the Flood 

Standard), instituted through Executive Order (EO) 14030 Climate-Related Financial Risks and EO 

13690 Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard. The Flood Standard will advance 

resilience across the entire federal government’s portfolio of grants and federally funded

infrastructure projects by requiring higher standards that address future risk. Specific for FEMA 

implementation, the Flood Standard will require consideration of both current and future flood risk 

for all FEMA-funded activities. This will result in FEMA, as part of a broader federal government effort, 

building more resilience when federal investments are part of building or rebuilding in a floodplain. 

1.3 How FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience is Organized 

FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience is organized to help readers easily understand the steps 

involved in the community resilience process as well as the areas that overlap. Tables and figures 

are included to explain which FEMA programs and initiatives align with each step of the process and 

identify resources to help make informed decisions where the resilience cycle overlaps. 

SLTT governments and eligible non-profits can 

participate in FEMA programs and initiatives 

that address specific hazard mitigation and 

climate adaptation requirements. FEMA’s

programmatic tools, grants, and other 

initiatives support stakeholders in assessing 

risk, planning to mitigate risk, funding 

mitigation projects and/or building community 

capacity. Figure 1 depicts the Community 

Resilience Cycle and will appear as an icon 

throughout the document to assist in 

understanding which step in the cycle is being 

highlighted. 

SLTT governments that are newer to the 

community resilience building process are 

Figure 1: Community Resilience Cycle 

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encouraged to start at the beginning of the Guide. SLTT governments having more experience in the 

resilience process may decide to begin at the step in the cycle that is applicable to their needs. 

Figure 2 is a summary table of the programs and services that FEMA provides. In the far left column, 

readers will find the program or service, which is cross referenced with the hazard focus (e.g., flood, 

fire, or all hazard) of the program, when the program is available (before or after a disaster), the type 

of grant (if applicable), and whether the program is direct assistance from FEMA (i.e., FEMA is not 

providing funding for the work; FEMA is doing the work). 

Figure 2 is meant to provide SLTT governments with a quick reference for which FEMA programs and 

services can be leveraged to address specific disaster types and at what point, annual programmingor post- disaster, the programs and services may be used. Figure 2 also shows the types of grants 

and services available under the listed programs. 

Figure 2: FEMA Program Reference Matrix 

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2 Identifying and Assessing Climate Change Risks 

The hazard threats associated with climate change present new challenges for communities. Larger 

and more frequent disasters are forcing emergency managers to reassess their risk models and 

integrate concepts of future conditions. As new threats emerge, communities must establish wellrounded approaches to assess risks in support of building long-term community resilience and 

climate adaptation strategies. It is important for communities to understand their baseline risks, the 

new risks emerging from climate change, and their capabilities and capacity to respond to those 

risks. A proper risk assessment informs the mitigation planning process and sets a community on 

the right path towards building long-term resilience. 

2.1 Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and Stakeholder 

Preparedness Review 

Overview 

Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA): The THIRA is 

a three-step process completed by communities every three years, helping 

them to understand their risks and actions needed to address those risks by 

answering the following questions: 

• Which threats and hazards can affect our community? 

• If they occurred, what impacts would those threats and hazards have on our community? 

• Based on those impacts, what capabilities should our community have in place? 

One tool that can inform the THIRA is FEMA’s National Risk Index. Communities can enter street 

addresses into the Risk Index, an online resource, to help in determining their vulnerability to the 18 

natural hazards listed on the Risk Index site. The outputs from this process lay the foundation for 

establishing a community’s capability gaps as part of the Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) 

and can be used to identify emerging climate change threats. 

Stakeholder Preparedness Review: The SPR is an annual self-assessment of a community’s current 

capability levels against the targets identified in the THIRA. Using the targets from the THIRA, SLTTs 

identify their current capability and determine how that capability changed over the last year. This 

includes capabilities lost, sustained, and built. Communities also identify capability gaps related to 

planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises, and they indicate their intended 

approaches to address those gaps while also maintaining their current capabilities. In addition, 

communities identify how FEMA preparedness grants helped to build or sustain capabilities. 

The THIRA/Stakeholder Preparedness Review Cycle: After communities complete the THIRA, they use 

the data from the process to assess their capabilities in the SPR. It is important that communities 

complete the THIRA on a multi-year cycle, as it enables them to assess year-over-year trends and 

changes to their capabilities, while still periodically reviewing the capability targets to keep them 

relevant. 

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How the THIRA/SPR Is Used to Identify Impacts of Climate Change 

When assessing risk through the THIRA, the Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 201 

recommends that communities use several data sources, including future conditions and forecasting 

models, to identify emerging risks due to changing weather patterns. The SPR helps communities 

understand what capability gaps they might have in the face of emerging risks such as the impacts 

of climate change and what capability targets they may need to develop. 

Additionally, FEMA encourages SLTT governments to use the risks identified in the THIRA to inform 

mitigation planning, and vice versa when appropriate. For example, information from the THIRA may 

be used to meet Local Mitigation Plan Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment regulatory 

requirements. 

Additional Resources & Information 

The Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) is a self-assessment of a SLTT’s current capability 

levels against the targets identified in the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment 

(THIRA). 

The National Risk Index (Risk Index) is a new, online mapping application from FEMA that 

identifies communities most at risk to 18 natural hazards. 

2.2 Sea Level Rise and Flood Maps 

Overview 

Flooding is one of the most common and costly disasters. The Risk Mapping, 

Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) program provides quality flood hazard 

information that builds flood risk awareness leading to mitigation actions. 

Risk MAP provides flood hazard and flood risk information to FEMA 

stakeholders. Today, most communities manage their flood risks through 

FEMA flood maps, otherwise known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps. The maps 

typically represent a single flood scenario (the 1 % per annual-chance-flood), 

which defines mandatory insurance purchase requirements and sets federal minimum standards for 

floodplain management. The maps represent coastal and riverine flood hazards. 

FEMA recognizes key opportunities to deliver more consistent and comprehensive flood information 

through the Risk MAP program. Such information would more adequately convey a community or 

individual’s flood risk and serve as a basis for a more risk informed National Flood Insurance 

Program (NFIP). 

Through an initiative known as the Future of Flood Risk Data (FFRD), FEMA is increasing Risk MAP’s

capability to provide a more comprehensive and dynamic picture of the country’s flood hazards. 

FEMA is exploring how it can provide more consistent flood risk data across a full range of flood 

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frequencies, not just the 1 % annual-chance flood. FEMA is also exploring the capability to assess the 

impact of various future conditions scenarios on these flood frequencies. 

Audience/Program Beneficiary 

All SLTT governments throughout the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five territories 

(American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands) are 

program beneficiaries. FEMA is working to identify other nontraditional stakeholders that could 

benefit from a better understanding of current and future flood risk. 

How Flood Maps Address Climate Change 

FEMA strongly encourages communities to incorporate future conditions information into products, 

projects, and plans. Wherever possible, FEMA provides data and works in support of SLTT 

governments’ needs and priorities. 

The Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC) has recommended that FEMA develop flood 

information conveying the potential impacts of future conditions. Since the TMAC issued its 

recommendations in 2015, FEMA has conducted several regional pilot studies (e.g., in San Francisco 

and New England) that consider drivers of change, such as sea level rise and coastal erosion. 

Many federal agencies have data and expertise that can help communities increase their 

understanding of future flood risk. To avoid duplication of effort, FEMA routinely points communities 

to other federal agencies’ tools (e.g., National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sea Level 

Rise Viewer), when appropriate. 

Additional Resources & Information 

For Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) program information, including progress 

maps and success stories, visit: https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/tools-resources/risk-map. 

For more information on the Future Flood Risk Data (FFRD), visit: https://www.fema.gov/factsheet/future-flood-risk-data-ffrd. 

Coastal communities can understand how to reduce risk due to sea-level rise by visiting 

https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/coastal . 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

Mitigation Planning 

Hazard mitigation planning reduces loss of life and property by minimizing 

the impact of disasters. It begins with SLTT governments identifying 

natural disaster risks and vulnerabilities that are common in their area. 

After identifying these risks, governments develop long-term strategies for 

protecting people and property from similar events. Mitigation plans are 

key to breaking the cycle of disaster damage and reconstruction. To qualify 

for many of FEMA’s programs, communities are required to have current

mitigation plans. 

All 50 states, the District of Columbia and five territories, have FEMA-approved state mitigation 

plans. A total of over 24,100 local governments adopted FEMA-approved or approvable pending 

adoption local mitigation plans. An additional 228 tribal governments have current approved tribal 

mitigation plans. 

FEMA encourages communities to incorporate measures to make mitigation planning more 

equitable. This includes encouraging at-risk populations to lend their expertise in the mitigation 

process, assessing social vulnerability and environmental burden alongside hazards in mitigation 

plans, and targeting outreach or risk reduction projects. 

Communities can increase equity in mitigation planning by 

ensuring an assessment is completed before a mitigation 

project, which ensures that the mitigation helps and does not 

negatively impact at risk populations. 

FEMA is currently in the process of updating the 2015 policy fo

state and territorial governments, State Mitigation Plan Review

Guide, as well as the 2011 policy for local governments, Local 

Mitigation Plan Review Guide. As these policies are completed,

FEMA plans to update existing fact sheets, bulletins, trainings, 

and related materials with information on various ways that 

SLTT governments can meet the planning requirements. This 

includes the development of mitigation actions that can be 

leveraged to adapt to climate change. All FEMA-approved 

hazard mitigation plans are required to include an overview of 

the probabilities of future hazard events. 

3.1 Audience/Program Beneficiary 

SLTT governments undertaking hazard mitigation projects can benefit from hazard mitigation 

planning and other planning related activities. Mitigation plans are often a requirement as a part of 

the grant application process. FEMA can assist in funding the development of mitigation plans 

through several grant programs, such as BRIC, Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), and Hazard 

Mitigation Grant Programs (HMGP). 

Building Community 

Resilience by Integrating 

Hazard Mitigation 

Integrating hazard mitigation 

r into the local comprehensive 

plan establishes resilience 

as an overarching value of a 

community. Hazard 

Mitigation provides the 

opportunity to continuously 

manage development in a 

way that does not lead to 

increased hazard 

vulnerability. 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

3.2 How Hazard Mitigation Planning Addresses Climate Change 

The risk assessment portion of a hazard mitigation plan provides the factual basis for activities that 

reduce future losses from the identified hazards impacting a community. SLTT plans include forwardlooking information on development trends in hazard-prone areas and on the probability of future 

hazard events. All FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plans are required to include an overview of the 

probabilities of future hazard events. This includes considerations of changing future conditions, like 

the effects of long-term changes in weather patterns and climate, on the identified hazards 

impacting the state. The same climate data can be used in the THIRA and mitigation planning to 

coordinate addressing natural hazard risks exacerbated by climate change, through both 

preparedness for specific scenarios (through THIRA-SPR) and long-term actions that have mitigation 

and adaptation co-benefits (through mitigation planning). 

In 2016, FEMA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) renewed their Memorandum of 

Agreement for the two agencies to work together to build safer, healthier, and more resilient 

communities. The two agencies will collaborate to help communities recover from disasters and 

reduce risk in ways that protect the environment, support the economy, and protect neighborhoods. 

FEMA and the EPA will also help communities use smart growth and climate adaptation mitigation 

ideas to improve quality of life and steer development away from areas identified as high risk. 

Mitigation Planning In Action 

Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan was Massachusetts’ first

all-hazard mitigation plan to fully integrate climate adaptation. The plan followed federal 

standards for hazard mitigation plans and addressed climate change impacts and adaptation 

risk mitigation strategies. The plan used several resources, including downscaled climate data in 

Geographic Information System spatial analysis and State Agency Vulnerability Assessment 

Survey Tool, to capture and address the state’s vulnerability to natural hazards. When evaluating 

risk, future risks such as projected changes in precipitation, temperature, sea level rise, and 

extreme weather were considered. Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), 

discussed in Chapter 4, provides funding for SLTT governments to protect community lifelines, 

including vital infrastructure, from the impacts of climate change. 

Additional Resources & Information 

Mitigation is most effective when it is a part of other community planning processes, regulations, 

and policies. FEMA has a variety of resources available to help communities integrate hazard 

mitigation into their planning activities. 

FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Planning program offers both in-person and virtual training resources 

to support SLTTs in creating and implementing Hazard Mitigation Plans and in Planning for a 

Resilient Community: Materials for the Planning for a Resilient Community Training; 

FEMA - Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Course | IS-329: State Hazard Mitigation 

Planning 

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4 Mitigation Funding & Community Capacity Building 

4.1 Annual Programming Funding 

Once a community has identified its climate risks and has created a mitigation 

plan to adapt to the emerging hazards, FEMA offers a number of annual 

program grants that build community resilience by funding specific mitigation 

activities. Programs like Building Resilient Communities and Flood 

Management Assistance provide communities an opportunity to build 

capacity (e.g., funds technical assistance, training, and building code 

enforcement activities) and builds resilience (e.g., by funding specific mitigation 

projects). These programs are available to SLTT governments regularly each year through Notice of 

Funding Opportunities. In addition, FEMA offers a series of preparedness and capacity building 

services, such as the NFIP and the National Exercise Program (NEP) that can be engaged 

continuously and regularly throughout the year. Utilized together, the programs and services listed in 

this section can help communities build resilience to emerging climate risks. 

4.1.1 BUILDING RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES 

Overview 

FEMA’s BRIC program provides annual grant funds to SLTT governments for hazard mitigation 

planning, mitigation projects, and building community capacity and capability. For Fiscal Year (FY) 

2021, funding for BRIC prioritized assistance that benefited economically disadvantaged 

communities and included a $25 million tribal set-aside. BRIC seeks to categorically shift the federal 

focus from reactive disaster spending toward research-supported, proactive investment in 

community resilience as identified in planning, so when the hurricane, flood, or wildfire comes, 

communities are better prepared. 

FEMA received a tremendous number of applications from across the nation during the FY2020 

application period, evidencing strong interest in the types of projects BRIC can support. As a result, 

the BRIC Program, under the Biden Administration, doubled to $1 Billion in FY2021. Also new for 

FY2021, the BRIC program, along with the FMA program, were selected as pilot programs for the 

Justice40 Initiative, which promotes equity by helping members of disadvantaged communities and 

prioritizes 40 % of the benefits to disadvantaged populations as referenced in EO 14008, Tackling 

the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. 

To help create equitable outcomes and achieve the goal of Justice40 several changes were made to 

the BRIC program for FY2021. The funding was increased for both the tribal set aside from $20 to 

$25 million and the state and territory allocation from $600,000 to $1 million per applicant. The 

state/territory allocations have a specific goal of increasing capacity and capability. Also, the BRIC 

program offers an increase of the 75 % federal cost share to up to 90 % for Economically 

Disadvantaged Rural Communities (EDRC) as defined by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 

Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act). Next, the competition criteria listed below were modified to 

add priority on projects that benefit disadvantaged groups, outreach and partner with disadvantaged 

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groups, and come from EDRC. Finally, the BRIC program offers non-financial direct technical 

assistance to communities and prioritizes tribal, EDRCs, and communities with disadvantaged 

populations. The number of communities doubled from 10 to 20 between FY2020 and FY2021. 

For FY2021 the priorities of BRIC were: 

• Mitigating risk to public infrastructure; 

• Incentivizing resilient investments in disadvantaged communities, as referenced in EO 14008 

(Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad); 

• Mitigating risk to one or more community lifelines; 

• Incorporating nature-based solutions; 

• Enhancing climate resilience and adaptation; and, 

• Increasing funding to applicants that facilitate the adoption and enforcement of the latest 

published editions of building codes. 

BRIC encourages mitigation projects that meet multiple program priorities. 

Who Can Apply? 

SLTT governments undertaking hazard mitigation projects (including planning) are eligible to apply 

for the BRIC program. 

How BRIC Addresses Climate Change 

Projects submitted for funding consideration are allotted points for meeting technical and qualitative 

criteria that address FEMA priorities. Examples of these criteria include mitigation to lifelines, the use 

of future conditions information in planning project strategies and implementing nature-based or 

green infrastructure mitigation strategies. Applicants and sub-applicants to BRIC are incentivized to 

reduce risks from climate change. Table 1, below, provides FY 2021 BRIC completion criteria. 

Table 1: FY 2021 BRIC Completion Criteria 

Technical Criteria Qualitative Criteria 

• Infrastructure projects 

• Mitigating risks to one or more lifelines 

• Incorporation of nature-based solutions 

• Building Code Adoption 

• Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule 

Rating 

• Prior Qualifying Award 

• Increased Non-federal Cost Share 

• Economically Disadvantaged Rural Communities 

• Risk reduction/resilience effectiveness 

• Climate Change and Other Future 

conditions 

• Implementation Measures 

• Population impacted 

• Outreach Activities 

• Leveraging partners 

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BRIC projects receive points for incorporating nature-based solutions, thereby increasing potential 

funding eligibility. To help SLTT governments identify and engage the staff and resources that may be 

used to implement nature-based solutions, FEMA has taken several steps, including: 

• Publishing Building Community Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions; 

• Prioritizing nature-based solutions in BRIC project scoring criteria; and, 

• Implementing the Ecosystem Service Benefits in Benefit-Cost Analysis for FEMA’s Mitigation 

Programs Policy, which provides communities more opportunities to include nature-based 

solutions in mitigation projects. 

BRIC In Action 

For the first year of the BRIC grant, in July 2021, 22 competitive projects were selected for 

funding. One of those projects is in Baltimore, Maryland. Sea level rise increases Baltimore’s

vulnerability to storm-related and nuisance tidal flooding. Through a coordinated network of 

vegetated berms, living shorelines, restored wetlands/aquatic habitats, and public space 

enhancements, the Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative (MBRI) Stage 1 will focus on increasing 

the resilience of the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company’s (BGE) Spring Gardens site and

MedStar Harbor Hospital site, located along the shoreline of the Middle Branch of the Patapsco 

River. Stage 1 of the MBRI will also benefit 410,000 nearby residents, customers of the BGE 

Spring Gardens facility and MedStar Harbor Hospital, and employees who work at both sites—

representing 21 % of the total population City of Baltimore and Anne Arundel and Baltimore 

counties. 

Additional Resources & Information 

For more information on the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program, 

visit Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) | FEMA.gov. 

Communities can learn more about the benefits of incorporating nature-based solutions into 

their planning strategies by clicking on the link below. 

Building Community Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions: A Guide for Local Communities 

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4.1.2 NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM/RISK RATING 2.0: EQUITY IN ACTION 

Overview 

The NFIP provides flood insurance to property owners, renters, and businesses. 

Having this coverage helps policy holders recover faster after floodwaters 

recede. The NFIP works with communities to adopt and enforce required 

floodplain management regulations that help mitigate flooding effects. Flood 

insurance is available to anyone living in one of the 23,000 participating 

NFIP communities. There are more than five million policyholders nationwide, 

and NFIP is the nation’s largest single-line insurance program providing nearly 

$1.3 trillion in coverage against potential flood losses. The NFIP also offers tools and resources to 

help communities navigate NFIP requirements and implement higher standards of floodplain 

management. 

FEMA’s NFIP is evolving to address the risks of climate adaptation. As flooding events become more 

intense, the NFIP must adapt and evolve to meet the changing and increasing demands placed on 

the program. Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action plays a key role in NFIP transformation by changing the 

way FEMA evaluates flood risk. 

Floods are the number one natural disaster in the U.S. They happen in every state and are projected 

to get worse as a result of changes to our environment. Recent research found that sea level rise 

caused an estimated $8 billion in excess flood damage during Hurricane Sandy.1 

Key aspects of flood risk evaluation include the following: 

▪ Modernization - using new technology, science, and data; 

▪ Individualization - assessing each policyholder’s premium to reflect their property’s unique 

flood risk; and, 

▪ Equity - ensuring-everyone pays their share when it comes to flood risk. 

Communities and individuals should participate in NFIP to manage flood risk leverage available 

mitigation grants. Individuals can use flood insurance to ensure that their assets are protected 

should a flood incident occur. Flood maps help communities to understand their risk and take 

actions that protect their families, homes, and business. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center provides 

a central location to find all flood mapping products created under the NFIP. 

Floodplain management efforts are community-based and prevent or reduce flooding risks, resulting 

in a more resilient community. Floodplain management functions, such as zoning, building codes, 

and enforcement, help communities protect against flooding. 

1 Strauss, B.H., Orton, P.M., Bittermann, K. et al. Economic damages from Hurricane Sandy attributable to sea level rise 

caused by anthropogenic climate change. (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22838-1 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

Over 1500 communities nationwide voluntarily participate in the Community Ratings System (CRS). 

Flood insurance premium rates in CRS communities are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk 

that exceed the minimum requirements for NFIP. 

These communities are recognized for engaging in floodplain management practices that address 

the program’s three goals: 

• Reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property; 

• Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP; and, 

• Foster comprehensive floodplain management. 

Who Can Participate? 

SLTT governments participating in the NFIP and individual homeowners in participating communities 

may participate. 

How NFIP and Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action Address Climate Change 

NFIP reduces the social and economic impact of floods by providing insurance. The program is 

managed by FEMA and delivered to the public by a network of approximately 60 insurance 

companies and NFIP Direct. NFIP affords property owners, renters, and businesses the opportunity to 

have flood insurance coverage. Communities that work with the NFIP are required to adopt and 

enforce floodplain management regulations. These regulations help mitigate the effects of flooding, 

which are worsening due to climate change. 

With a modern, science-based system, Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action updates the current 

methodology to determine premiums, which had not been updated since the 1970s. Risk Rating 2.0 

provides technology that includes FEMA’s present knowledge of flood risk and flood variables, such 

as flood frequency and flood type, that may have changed over time due to climate change. These 

changes enhance FEMA’s ability to consider climate change in a more fluid way based on 1) updated

category models and modern methodologies, and 2) new rates that no longer consider distance to 

water source. Risk Rating 2.0 is widening the parameters, allowing for more robust means of 

assessing individual property risk and rebuilding costs as considerations for flood risk and insurance 

costs. 

Additional Resources & Information 

For more information on the NFIP and tools, see the link below. 

https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance 

To learn more about the NFIP Community Rating System and reduced flood insurance premiums, 

visit National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System | FEMA.gov 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

4.1.3 FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE 

Overview 

SLTT governments who participate in NFIP can apply for FMA. Funds can be 

used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage 

to buildings insured by the NFIP. 

FMA can be leveraged to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood 

damage to buildings and structures. FEMA has set aside $70 million for the 

federal cost share of Community Flood Mitigation projects. Examples of eligible community flood 

mitigation projects include the following: 

• Localized flood control; 

• Floodplain and stream restoration; 

• Stormwater management; and, 

• Wetland restoration/creation. 

Who Can Apply? 

SLTT governments participating in NFIP may apply. 

How FMA Addresses Climate Change 

The FMA grant program funds eligible flood mitigation projects. Eligible projects include those that 

are centered around climate adaptation or helping communities adapt to increase flood risk, such as 

incorporating nature-based solutions into mitigation projects and acquiring developed flood prone 

properties and returning them to greenspace. 

FMA In Action 

The Lake Lery Marsh Creation and Rim Restoration Phase III Project in Saint Bernard Parish, 

Louisiana was selected for FMA grant program funding. The project proposes to counteract 

further degradation of the marshland by establishing 2.42 miles of permanent lake rim along 

the northern perimeter of the project area and restoring 401.2 acres of degraded marsh. The 

total project cost is $19 million and will impact nearly 500 repetitively damaged buildings 

insured under NFIP. These buildings have incurred roughly 10,000 claims totaling $1.2 billion 

in paid losses. This project will provide persistent protection to those properties from future 

flooding events. 

Additional Resources & Information 

For more information on the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program, visit 

https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/floods 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

4.1.5 NATIONAL EXERCISE PROGRAM 

Overview 

The NEP provides technical assistance for preparedness exercises from 

experienced exercise specialists to SLTT governments and other whole community 

partners at no cost. Support can include assistance with exercise design, scenario 

development, planning, and execution. Other qualifying activities include 

evaluation by subject matter experts, material production, or facilitation for 

selected exercises. The NEP, managed by FEMA’s National Exercise Division, is a

two-year cycle of exercises across the nation that examines and validates capabilities in all 

preparedness mission areas. 

Exercises are selected for NEP technical assistance through an application process. Proposals are 

evaluated based on their alignment to the National Security Council’s Strategic Priorities, a set of 

priorities updated every two years to reflect the current environment. Exercises in the NEP contribute 

evaluation data to the National Preparedness System, providing a clearer picture of the nation's 

readiness which inform the National Preparedness Report. 

Who Can Apply? 

SLTT governments and whole community partners that participate in planning exercises may apply. 

How the National Exercise Program Addresses Climate Change 

The Long-term Community Resilience Exercise Resource Guide (Exercise Guide) is an NEP resource 

that supports public and private-sector delivery of exercises that bring together diverse sets of 

stakeholders to: 

• Develop a common understanding of community climate risk; 

• Assess current and planned programs related to community resilience; 

• Identify critical issues, outcomes, and factors to examine in future community planning; and, 

• Identify and prioritize investments in critical preparedness and climate adaptation risk 

mitigation measures now that will result in long-term vulnerability reduction. 

The Exercise Guide includes basic principles for developing climate risk mitigation exercises 

including: 

• How to use different discussion-based exercise types to support phases of climate 

adaptation planning; 

• How to craft climate-focused exercise outcomes and objectives; 

• Guiding principles and resources for designing a climate-based exercise scenario; 

• Sample facilitation/discussion themes; 

• Situation Manual examples; and, 

• Tools and resources for building climate considerations into exercises. 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

The Exercise Guide in Action 

From 2014 to 2016, the National Exercise Division, in coordination with the National Security 

Council, conducted the Climate Adaptation, Preparedness, and Resilience Exercise Series in 

five jurisdictions. Participants were selected from across the nation, including Washington, 

DC; Houston, Texas; Fort Collins, Colorado; Anchorage, Alaska; and Hampton Roads, Virginia. 

The series 1) provided a forum for structured discussion on the present and future effects of 

climate change, and 2) identified collaborative and sustainable approaches to climate 

resilience. The Exercise Guide, developed from 2017 to 2018, captures best practices learned 

from the workshop series and provides users information and resources to build climate 

adaptation focused exercises. The Long-Term Community Resilience Exercise Resource Guide 

Prep Toolkit page provides helpful information on climate-focused exercises. 

Additional Resources & Information 

Information about applying for National Exercise Program (NEP) and technical assistance can 

be found at National Exercise Program Exercise Support 

4.1.6 FIRE-ADAPTED COMMUNITIES 

Overview 

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) works within FEMA to identify 

American fire problems and provide support to strengthen fire and 

emergency medical services (EMS) and stakeholders to prepare for, prevent, 

mitigate, and respond to all hazards. 

Research conducted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the 

NIST reports that 46 million residences in 70,000 communities are at risk for wildland urban 

interface (WUI) fires. The WUI is the line, area, or zone where structures and other human 

development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels. Research 

additionally concluded that the WUI area continues to grow by approximately 2 million acres per year. 

Through interagency partnerships with 0ther federal agencies, the USFA works to create a fire-safe 

America. 

Audience/Program Beneficiary 

Fire Service organizations throughout the U.S. that serve and partner with SLTT governments 

throughout the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five US territories are the targeted 

audience/program beneficiary. 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

How USFA Addresses Climate Change 

USFA, in response to WUI and a number of growing climate concerns, has developed training 

opportunities through the USFA National Fire Academy, and through USFA’s National Fire Programs

(NFP), collaborates with partners and communities to create Fire-Adapted Communities, and 

provides outreach materials and resources on USFA’s WUI website. Additionally, USFA’s NFP 

continues to leverage the most recent data and conduct research empowering the fire service. 

Throughout the nation, USFA’s NFP addresses climate change impacts for all hazards, including the 

implications of green energy technology in community risk reduction programs, and impacts to 

firefighter and EMS responder health and safety. 

Courses provided by the USFA’s National Fire Academy and WUI/wildfire preparedness and 

mitigation programs of USFA’s National Fire Programs are designed to provide stakeholders the 

ability to create and sustain a fire-adapted community. Fire-Adapted Communities collaborate to 

identify wildfire risk and work collectively on actionable steps to reduce the risk of future loss. The 

Fire-Adapted Communities Learning Network (FACNET) series teaches emergency personnel how to 

engage their communities in building collaborative strategies to prevent, mitigate and co-exist with 

the reality of wildfire. The course series encompasses leadership, mitigation strategies, planning, 

evacuation, land usage, and codes. This collaborative approach helps communities protect people 

and property and increases the safety of firefighters and residents. 

Building interagency partnerships leverages subject matter expertise and equities in fire prevention 

and community risk reduction allowing for use of science-based research and emerging 

technologies. USFA’s NFP continuously collaborates with interagency federal partners to collect data 

with the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) conducting research to help fire 

services and communities across the nation to make informed decisions. 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

Communities Addressing Wildfire Risk 

FEMA released a Story Map on Colorado Springs’ Wildfire Mitigation in the wake of the 2012 

Waldo Canyon Fire. This Story Map provides an interactive summary of the wildfire mitigation 

activities in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Prior to the 2012 fire, Colorado Springs used PreDisaster Mitigation grants to implement a wildfire mitigation plan, saving an estimated $75 

million and 250 homes. Even with these efforts, 346 homes were destroyed by the Waldo Canyon 

Fire. Since then, the community has taken more actionable steps to mitigate against future 

damage by adopting more fire-resistive building codes, mapping wildfire risk, and participating in 

strategic community engagement. 

Colorado Springs Fire Department collaborated with the Colorado Springs Housing and Building 

Association to identify ways to mitigate the impacts of wildfires on residential buildings. This 

information led to Ordinance No. 18-50, which amended the International Fire Code to address 

wildland/urban interface mitigation requirements for high-risk areas. 

USFA is working with DHS S&T on research providing real-time monitoring and early detection of 

wildfires using heat and smoke detection technologies. This will provide a network of intelligent 

sensors to monitor environmental conditions and provide warning to increase response time. 

Accomplishments to date include prototype development and initial testing in the lab and a smallscale field environment. Next steps include evaluating and incorporating lessons learned from 

the initial tests and taking the enhanced prototypes into larger field-testing situations. 

Additional Resources & Information 

For more information on United States Fire Administration (USFA) resources that can help 

communities build resilience before and after wildfires, visit the links below. 

For more information on building how communities become fire adapted, visit Fire Adapted 

Communities. 

Learn about integrating your Community Wildfire Protection plan into your local planning by 

visiting Hazard Mitigation Plan Tools for Practitioners. 

Learn about Creating a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (fema.gov) by clicking on the link. 

Learn how climate change can impact your fire and EMS department by visiting Is your fire and 

EMS department ready for climate change? (fema.gov) 

Information on Wildland urban interface (WUI) (fema.gov) can be found by clicking the link. 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

4.2 Post-Disaster 

FEMA coordinates resources across the federal 

government, philanthropic organizations, and the 

private sector to help communities build resilience

and adapt to climate change after disasters. For 

example, the Disaster Recovery and Resilience 

Resource Library provides a diverse group of 

financial, technical assistance and information 

resources to aid in disaster recovery efforts. There

are over 600 climate adaptation and resilience 

funding and technical assistance opportunities 

available from federal, philanthropic, or private 

sources currently logged in the Disaster Recovery 

and Resilience Resource Library. 

Community Planning and Capacity 

Building (CPCB) Recovery Support 

Function (RSF) 

Local governments can request capacity 

assistance from the CPCB RSF through 

their state government. The CPCB RSF 

brings together a team of federal 

agencies and non-governmental 

partners using data-informed decision 

making to provide a wide variety of 

recovery planning, technical assistance, 

and resilience building services to 

communities. 

FEMA also leverages its own grant programs to 

provide post-disaster resilience funding, including the Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and 

Hazard Mitigation Post-Fire programs. 

4.2.1 FEMA’S PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Overview 

FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Program provides SLTT governments, and

certain types of private non-profit (PNP) organizations, supplemental grants 

so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or 

emergencies. Through the PA Program, FEMA provides supplemental federal 

grant assistance for disaster-related expenses such as debris removal, 

emergency protective measures, and restoration of disaster-damaged, 

publicly owned facilities; and specific facilities of certain PNP organizations. 

The PA Program also encourages protection of these damaged facilities from future incidents by 

providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures. 

In addition to providing funding for the restoration of certain disaster-damaged facilities, FEMA has 

the authority under Section 406 of the Stafford Act to provide PA funding for cost-effective hazard 

mitigation measures for facilities damaged by the incident. SLTT governments can use this funding 

to protect facilities from the future impacts of large climate shifts, and/or they can create mitigation 

projects that incorporate cost-effective sustainable design principles. Hurricane Sandy was a catalyst 

for many new agency policies, including FEMA’s new approach to building sustainable communities

back to a higher degree of resilience for future planning. The implementation of the ConsensusBased Codes, Specifications and Standards for Public Assistance, FEMA Recovery Interim Policy 

104-009-11, Consensus-Based Codes, Specifications and Standards for Public Assistance (Version 

2.1) and Section 428 of the Stafford Act provide applicants with the tools they need to build back 

more comprehensively resilient communities after a disaster. This allows communities to further 

23 
 

FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

increase their resiliency by enabling them to mitigate to higher more stringent codes and standards. 

Rather than prepare for a 25-year flood, they can mitigate for a 100-year flood. 

Who Can Apply? 

SLTT government agencies and/or certain PNPs may apply. 

How Public Assistance Addresses Climate Change 

Disasters can have devastating impacts on a community’s economic, social, and environmental wellbeing. Since disasters can be repeat events, it is especially important that communities consider 

ways of rebuilding that avoid future disaster damage and account for the ways climate change is 

increasing or changing the risks these communities face. 

FEMA’s PA program can assist communities in becoming more resilient by funding: 

• Measures to protect a damaged facility 

against future damage; 

• Repair and replacement of facilities to 

local codes and standards; 

• Hazard-resistant, consensus-based codes 

and standards design provisions of the 

International Code Council’s building codes

for buildings that have sustained 

significant damage; 

• Building code and/or floodplain 

management ordinance administration 

and enforcement; and, 

• Relocation of some facilities outside 

hazard prone areas. 

This, in turn, reduces costs by: 

• Breaking the disaster-rebuild-disaster 

cycle; 

• Strengthening existing infrastructure; and, 

PA Mitigation & Green 

Infrastructure 

All Public Assistance (PA) Mitigation 

projects must be cost-effective. The 

Public Assistance Policy and Program 

Guide includes a list of pre-determined 

cost-effective mitigation measures in 

Appendix J, including green 

infrastructure. Examples of specific 

green mitigation measures include 

vegetated geogrids, bioswales, and rain 

gardens. Applicants may also utilize 

other green infrastructure techniques, as 

long as they are demonstrated to be 

cost-effective using FEMA-approved 

criteria. Additional information available 

in FEMA’s Building Community 

Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions. 

• Reducing down-time for businesses and 

critical public facilities and services. 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

Public Assistance in Action 

Following Hurricane Sandy, the New York Housing Authority (NYHA) saw 33 low to moderate 

income housing developments (which included hundreds of buildings) flooded. FEMA provided 

the NYHA $1.4 billion in PA Mitigation funding to invest in projects floodproofing multi-story 

buildings primarily located in high hazard coastal flood zones as well as the relocation of critical 

building systems in elevated structures protected from future flooding. 

Hurricane Sandy also severely impacted hospital operations at the New York University Langone 

Medical Center (NYULMC), forcing the relocation of patients in critical condition and the loss of 

priceless cancer research. PA Mitigation funding was an opportunity for NYULMC to make 

essential investments to prevent any future impacts from severe storms. FEMA funded a jointly 

developed $589 million mitigation proposal installing an exterior flood protection system, 

internal compartmentalization of critical services, and backup power systems. 

Additional Resources & Information 

For information on FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Program, access the Public Assistance 

Program and Policy Guide, Version 4, Effective June 1, 2020 

For information on and examples of PA mitigation projects; visit the link below. 

Mitigate Disaster Damage with FEMA Public Assistance 

4.2.2 HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM 

Overview 

HMGP provides funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments 

impacted by a Presidentially declared disaster. HMGP allows eligible SLTTs to 

rebuild in a way that reduces or mitigates future disaster losses. Grant 

funding is available to increase a community’s preparedness in advance of

climate-related extreme weather events, improving their ability to recover. 

FEMA provides mitigation grants to SLTT governments to: 

▪ Reduce vulnerability of communities to disasters and their effects; 

▪ Promote individual and community safety and community vitality after a disaster; 

▪ Lessen response and recovery resource requirements after a disaster; and, 

▪ Build safer communities that are less reliant on external financial assistance. 

Since 2015, through its Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs, FEMA provides an average of 

$700 million annually through the HMGP, Flood Mitigation Assistance, and Pre-Disaster Mitigation 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) 

FEMA grant programs emphasize 

data-driven decision-making that 

embraces social equity and climate 

change impacts. Applicants and subapplicants must use FEMA-approved 

methodologies and tools, such as the 

BCA Toolkit, to demonstrate the costeffectiveness of their projects. 

Technical assistance is available 

through FEMA’s BCA Helpline for

troubleshooting technical issues. 

grants (now BRIC) helping communities undertake hazard mitigation measures. In August 2021, the 

federal government announced $3.46 billion in HMGP funding would be made available for SLTTs to 

invest in mitigation projects helping better prepare and protect communities from natural disasters 

and the impacts of climate change. The influx of funding will help communities prioritize mitigation 

needs for a more resilient future, including underserved communities that are often most vulnerable 

to the impacts of climate change. 

Who Can Apply? 

Entities eligible to apply for HMGP include the emergency management agency or a similar office of 

the 50 states, the District of Columbia, territories, and federally-recognized tribes. 

How HMGP Addresses Climate Change 

The goal of HMGP is to ensure critical mitigation 

measures intended to reduce the future risk of loss of life

and property are implemented after a disaster. With the 

increasing severity and frequency of disasters due to 

climate change, the program is actively working with its 

stakeholders to identify and leverage mitigation 

opportunities in an effort to build national resilience to 

natural hazard risks. The program continues to evolve and

introduce new eligible activities in anticipation of 

worsening conditions and continually increasing disaster 

costs. 

FEMA’s HMGP can assist communities in becoming more

resilient by funding: 

• Sustainable actions that reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from 

future disasters; 

• Innovative activities, designed to address both single and multiple hazards, allowing citizens 

to reside in their communities more safely; 

• Retrofit activities preventing the loss of function of critical facilities; 

• Nature-based solutions, which are uniquely positioned to bolster natural hazard risk 

mitigation as well as economic, environmental, and social resilience efforts; 

• Climate Resilient Mitigation Activities that specifically address drought and flood mitigation; 

• Activities that incorporate ecosystem services into project development – benefits to humans 

that are provided by the natural environment; and, 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

• Single or multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plans that identify risks and outline long-term 

strategies to protect invested communities and break the cycle of disaster damage and 

reconstruction. 

HMGP in Action 

HMGP prepares communities for more frequent and more severe natural disasters in the future. 

The City of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, experienced two 500-year storm events in 2003 and 2004 that 

caused millions of dollars in damages to properties. The city worked with FEMA and the Ohio 

Emergency Management Agency to purchase and demolish four homes that suffered repetitive 

flooding losses. The new open space was used to build a 24,000-square-foot municipal rain 

garden that receives drainage from 3.17 acres. It can hold and filter up to 30,000 gallons of 

water. The garden now serves the community with walking paths, solar lighting bollards, and 

extensive educational opportunities. 

The project included significant public involvement and support. In May of 2014, a storm event 

deposited four inches of rain on the city within 45 minutes. While this caused widespread 

damage across the city, there was no reported damage in the neighborhood surrounding the rain 

garden. 

Additional Resources & Information 

For more information on Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)/Hazard Mitigation Assistance 

(HMA) visit https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/hazard-mitigation-assistance-guidance 

Information on the HMA Annual Grant Cycle Submissions Summary can be found at 

https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/hazard-mitigation-assistance-hma-annual-grant-cyclesubmissions-summary 

The BCA Helpline’s hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday. Email questions to 

bchelpline@fema.dhs.gov or call toll free at 1-855-540-6744. 

Additional information on the FEMA Benefit-Cost Analysis method and toolkits can be found at 

https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/benefit-cost-analysis 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

4.2.3 HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM POST FIRE 

Overview 

The Stafford Act2 allows FEMA to provide HMGP funding for wildfire mitigation 

activities in any area that received a Fire Management Assistance Grant 

(FMAG) declaration. The Fire Management Assistance declaration process is 

initiated when a state submits a request for assistance to their FEMA 

Regional Director at the time a "threat of major disaster" exists. The entire 

process is accomplished on an expedited basis and a FEMA decision is 

rendered in a matter of hours. The funding is tied to the FMAG declaration and does not require that 

a major disaster is declared as with standard HMGP. This program is referred to as HMGP Post Fire. 

Funding available under HMGP Post Fire is based on the 10-year national average of assistance 

provided under FMAG declarations. FEMA provides two separate calculations based on whether the 

recipient has a standard or an enhanced mitigation plan. Recipients with a standard mitigation plan 

are eligible for 15 % of the 10-year national average for FMAG. Recipients with an enhanced 

mitigation plan are eligible for 20 % of the 10-

year national average for FMAG. The amount of 

eligible funding is also based on each FMAG 

HMGP Post Fire and Nature declaration in the fiscal year where the recipient Based Solutions 

is eligible for the 15 or 20 % of the 10-year 

Under the HMGP Post Fire program, national average for each FMAG declared. FEMA 

FEMA is prioritizing projects that mitigate aggregates these amounts throughout the fiscal wildfire hazards and incorporate nature- year for each recipient. based solutions. Examples of these 

prioritized projects include removing FEMA prioritizes HMGP Post Fire funding for 

standing burned trees, planting grass to activities that benefit the declared county, prevent the spread of noxious weeds, and counties, or burned tribal lands, with wildfire reseeding ground cover. hazard mitigation projects such as defensible 

space measures, ignition resistant construction, 

hazardous fuels reduction, erosion control 

measures, slope failure prevention measures, or flash flood reduction measures. While HMGP Post 

Fire funding may also be used for activities unrelated to wildfire mitigation and/or outside of the 

declared area(s), the recipient or subrecipient must explain in the project application why the funding 

is not being used for wildfire mitigation in the declared area, and FEMA determines eligibility based 

on the merits of the explanation. 

2 Section 404 of the Stafford Act provides authority for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program; Section 420 of the Stafford 

Act provides authority for the Fire Management Assistance Grant. Section 1204 of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 

2018 (DRRA) amended Sections 404 and 420. 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

Who Can Apply? 

States, federally-recognized tribes, and territories affected by fires resulting in an FMAG declaration 

are eligible to apply for assistance under HMGP Post Fire as Recipients. 

Local governments, tribal governments not applying as Recipients, and certain private nonprofit 

organizations are eligible to apply through the Recipient as Subrecipients. 

How HMGP Post Fire Addresses Climate Change 

Wildfires have increased in frequency and magnitude in recent years, due in large part to the effects 

of climate change. Wildfire mitigation activities authorized under HMGP Post Fire help areas most 

impacted become more resilient to future wildfires through creating defensible spaces and removing 

hazardous fuels that reduce the spread of wildfire, using ignition resistant materials and methods in 

new construction and retrofits of existing structures, and implementing erosion control, slope 

stabilization, and flash flood reduction measures to mitigate the impacts of post-fire flooding. 

HMGP Post Fire in Action 

During the Almeda fire of 2020, several communities in Jackson County, Oregon were largely 

affected by this severe and catastrophic event. Due to the presence of excess hazardous fuels 

around homes and ingress/egress areas, about 2,977 acres and 2,400 homes and businesses 

were destroyed by the fire. Following this event, FEMA provided the state HMGP Post Fire funding 

to reduce hazardous fuels and create defensible space around the community in the WUI. This 

project will reduce hazardous fuel along roads and ridgelines, as well as create critical access 

points for fire suppression and emergency personnel. 

HMGP Post Fire assistance has also helped places like Clark County, Kansas reduce the risks of 

future fires through the implementation of a hazardous fuels reduction project. Following the 

Kansas Highland Hills Fire of 2017, FEMA HMGP Post Fire funds were provided to remove dead 

trees and other hazardous fuels in over 784 acres of land. The project also contributed to the 

reduction of future fire risks by allowing firefighters to easily contain and manage the fires, and 

ultimately reduce the risks to lives and property. 

Additional Resources & Information 

For information on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation 

Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire, review the following resources: 

FEMA Policy 207-088-2, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - Post Fire (April 29, 2019) 

FEMA Job Aid for Disaster Recovery Reform Act, Section 1205 Additional Activities for Wildfire 

and Wind Implementation under Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs (December 3, 2019) 

Wildfire guidance is found in the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance and examples of 

wildfire mitigation projects are detailed in the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance Addendum 

(both February 2015) 

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FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

APPENDIX A: ACRONYMS 

BCA Benefit-Cost Analysis 

BGE Baltimore Gas and Electric Company 

BRIC Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities 

CPG Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 

CRS Community Rating System 

CPCB Community Planning and Capacity Building 

DHS Department of Homeland Security 

DHS S&T Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate 

EDRC Economically Disadvantaged Rural Communities 

EMS Emergency Medical Services 

EO Executive Order 

EPA Environmental Protection Agency 

FACNET Fire- Adapted Communities Learning Network 

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency 

FMA Flood Mitigation Assistance 

FFRD Future of Flood Risk Data 

FMAG Fire Management Assistance Grant 

FY Fiscal Year 

HMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance 

HMGP Hazard Mitigation Grant Program 

MBRI Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative 

NYHA New York Housing Authority 

NYULMC New York University Langone Medical Center 

NEP National Exercise Program 

NFIP National Flood Insurance Program 

NFP National Fire Program 

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology 

PA Public Assistance 

30 
FEMA Resources for Climate Resilience 

PNP Private Non-Profit 

RSF Recovery Support Function 

Risk MAP Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning 

SPR Stakeholder Preparedness Review 

SLTT State, Local, Tribal, Territorial 

THIRA Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment 

TMAC Technical Mapping Advisory Council 

USFA United States Fire Administration 

WUI Wildland Urban Interface 

31