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      EnglishEspañolFrançaisKreyòlTiếng Việt简体中文한국어  Glossary
alert - info**Download the FAAT List**Updated in 2023, the FEMA Acronyms,
Abbreviations and Terms (FAAT) PDF contains a full listing of commonly used terms.
Or use the search bar below to find terms.
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      E-grants
An automated, online grant system that allows the grantees to administer their grant utilizing a computer rather than paper documents.

Glossary Section: AFGP - Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program
    Elevated Building
A building that has no basement and that has its lowest elevated floor raised above ground level by foundation walls, shear walls, posts, piers, pilings, or columns. Solid (perimeter) foundations walls are not an acceptable means of elevating buildings in V and VE zones.

Glossary Section: NFIP - National Flood Insurance Program
    Emergency Medical Services
The Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system is responsible for providing pre-hospital (or out-of-hospital) care by paramedics , emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and medical first responders . The goal of EMS is to provide early treatment to those in need of urgent medical care and ultimately rapid transportation to a facility providing more definitive treatment.

Glossary Section: AFGP - Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program
    Emergency Program
The initial phase of a community's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, as prescribed by Section 1306 of the Act.

The Emergency Program is the initial phase of a community's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) if no flood hazard information is available or the community has a Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM), but no Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). A limited amount of flood insurance coverage at less than actuarial rates is available for all residents of the community. The community is required to adopt minimum floodplain management standards to control future use of its floodplains. Communities are converted to the Regular Program upon completion of a Flood Insurance Study and issuance of a FIRM or a determination that the community has no special flood areas (NSFHA). Under the Regular Program, more comprehensive floodplain management requirements are required of the community and higher amounts of flood insurance coverage are provided.

***National Flood Insurance Program Requirements***

59.0 - General Provisions
	59.1 - Definition
	59.3 - Description
	60.0 - Criteria for Land Management and Use
	60.3 (a) - Requirements for Communities with No FIRM or FHBM
	(b) - Requirements for Communities with FHBMs or FIRMS with no BFEs EstablishedGlossary Section: NFIP - National Flood Insurance Program
    Employer Identification Number
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a 9-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service. This number format is XX-XXXXXXX. The IRS uses the number to identify taxpayers required to file various business tax returns.

Glossary Section: AFGP - Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program
    EMS Organization
An organization providing emergency medical services to a community.

Glossary Section: AFGP - Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program
    EMT- B, EMT- I, EMT- P
Nationally recognized levels of training and certification for emergency medical technicians and other first responders: Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B), Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate (EMT-I) and Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P).

Glossary Section: AFGP - Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program
    Enclosure
Enclosures are enclosed walled in areas below the lowest floor of an elevated building. Enclosures below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) may only be used for building access, vehicle parking, and storage. Enclosed areas below the lowest floor must be adequately anchored, built using flood resistant building material, and any utilities or service facilities must be designed and/or located to prevent flood damage. Flood insurance coverage for enclosures below the BFE is very limited.

In A Zones, fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor must be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing the entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs must meet certain minimum criteria for openings in the enclosure walls or be certified by a registered design professional.

In V Zones, the space below the lowest floor of a building shall be free of obstruction or constructed with non-supporting breakaway walls, open wood lattice work, or insect screening intended to collapse under wind and water loads without causing collapse, displacement, or other structural damage to the elevated portion of the building or supporting foundation system. Designs to meet this criteria must be certified by a registered design professional or meet certain minimum criteria for breakaway walls.

***National Flood Insurance Program Requirements***

60.0 - Criteria for Land Management and Use
	60.3 (a)(3) - Reasonably Safe from Flooding
	(c)(5) Openings Requirement in A Zones
		(e)(5) Breakaway Wall Requirement in V ZonesGlossary Section: NFIP - National Flood Insurance Program
    Entry-Level Physical
A physical fitness test given to individuals applying for the position of firefighter that determines if they meet the minimum physical fitness requirements necessary to perform the job.

Glossary Section: AFGP - Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program
    Equipment
Equipment needed directly for fire suppression or delivery of emergency medical services that enhances the safety or effectiveness of firefighting or rescue activities.

Glossary Section: AFGP - Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program
    Erosion
a. The collapse, undermining or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or other body of water. Erosion is a covered peril if it is caused by waves or currents of water exceeding their cyclical levels which result in flooding.

b. The process of the gradual wearing away of land masses. Erosion can occur along coasts and rivers and streams. Although flood-related erosion is covered by flood insurance, this peril is not covered per se under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The mapping and regulatory standards of the NFIP do not currently address erosion, but Community Rating System (CRS) credit is given to communities that include this hazard in their regulations, planning, public information, hazard disclosure, and flood warning programs. Many States and communities have established setbacks and other requirements in areas subject to erosion.

***National Flood Insurance Program Requirements***
	59.1 - DefinitionsGlossary Section: NFIP - National Flood Insurance Program
    ED
Department of Education.

Glossary Section: NDRF - National Disaster Recovery Framework
    EEOC
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Glossary Section: NDRF - National Disaster Recovery Framework
    EPA
Environmental Protection Agency.

Glossary Section: NDRF - National Disaster Recovery Framework
    ESF
Emergency Support Function.

Glossary Section: NDRF - National Disaster Recovery Framework
    Essential Services
Services necessary to a basic standard of living and the general welfare of society. Services may include any of the following: electricity services, gas services, water and sewerage services, etc.

Glossary Section: NDHS - National Disaster Housing Strategy
    Existing Rental Property
Property that has been used prior to a disaster as rental property. This includes mobile units, single family units, and multi-family units.

Glossary Section: NDHS - National Disaster Housing Strategy
    External Affairs
The External Affairs (EA) cadre engages stakeholders in Congress; the media; state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; the private sector; and internal FEMA employees during incidents and steady state. EA provides the information necessary to make informed decisions as we work together to build, sustain, and improve our national capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.QualificationsAnalysis of traditional and digital mediaInterfacing with state and local government officialsCommunication with the business sector, non-governmental organizations, and academiaExceptionally strong writing and verbal skillsPhotography/VideographyResearchCommunications planningPublic speakingUnderstanding of federal statutes, regulations, and policiesGlossary Section: Employment Cadres
    Equal Rights
The Civil Rights (CVR) cadre supports the FEMA mission by ensuring that, as an agency, we sustain our commitment to equal and civil rights by preventing discrimination in assistance to survivors and providing programs, services, and benefits to employees and survivors without discrimination. CVR Advisors analyze data to provide guidance on Title VI (non-discrimination) to FEMA program areas and leadership, ensuring compliance with applicable civil rights statutes, while also performing risk analysis throughout all phases of the disaster cycle. CVR also participates in community outreach and engagement to share information and learn more about barriers being experienced by disaster survivors and their communities. Through this and other work, FEMA is better able to provide equal access to its programs for disaster survivors before, during, and after disasters.**QUALIFICATIONS**At least 1 year of equal employment or civil rights experience applying the principles, concepts, and strategies of equal employment and/or civil rights (5 years of experience for lead positions)American Sign Language Interpreter (Basic) and/or Sighted Assistant Trained1-year minimum experience applying effective leadership principles as a supervisorKnowledge of the Office of Equal Rights (OER) essential functionsGlossary Section: Employment Cadres
    Environmental Historic Preservation
The Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) cadre at FEMA plays a crucial role in ensuring that disaster response and recovery projects comply with federal environmental and historic preservation laws. EHP assesses the potential impacts of FEMA-funded activities on natural and cultural resources, facilitating the integration of environmental and historic preservation considerations into emergency management and recovery efforts. EHP’s work includes coordinating with local, state, tribal, and federal partners to protect sensitive environments and historic sites during disaster relief and recovery operations, helping to balance the need for swift response with the preservation of important environmental and historical assets.QualificationsWritten and verbal communicationAbility to work independently and in a team settingPublic speakingWorking knowledge of computer applications (databases, Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) applications, shape files, and mapping programsExperience using Microsoft office products, such as Outlook, Word, and PowerPointExperience completing environmental compliance reviews for state or federal agenciesSpecialized experience or education in Environmental, Historic Preservation, Archeology, Architecture, History, and Science is a plusGlossary Section: Employment Cadres
  
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