Earthquake Hazards Reduction State Assistance Program | Apply Online

Earthquake Hazards Reduction State Assistance Program (FEMA Region II) - FAQs

1) What is the Earthquake Hazards Reduction State Assistance Program?

It is a FEMA Region II discretionary funding opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement to support states and related partners in reducing earthquake risk through practical, statewide hazard reduction activities. The program emphasizes coordinated actions that help communities understand hazards, reduce vulnerability in buildings and infrastructure, and improve public preparedness to limit losses during earthquakes.

2) Who is offering this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), specifically within FEMA Region II.

3) What type of funding instrument is used?

The announcement describes it as a cooperative agreement.

4) What is the main purpose or goal of the program?

The goal is to reduce earthquake risk through a set of coordinated actions, not just a single project. These actions are meant to improve hazard understanding, reduce vulnerabilities in the built environment, and strengthen preparedness so fewer lives and resources are lost when earthquakes occur.

5) What does the program mean by “mitigation”?

Mitigation refers to efforts taken before an earthquake to lower expected damage and disruption. In this program, mitigation includes integrating seismic safety into decisions about where structures are located and how they are designed and built, with emphasis on adopting, enforcing, and regularly updating building and zoning codes and ordinances that improve seismic performance.

6) Does mitigation in this program only apply to structural building elements?

No. The program explicitly includes nonstructural elements, contents, and furnishings. Examples mentioned include ceiling systems, lighting, mechanical equipment, shelving, and unsecured furnishings, which can cause injuries and major functional downtime even if a building remains standing.

7) What are examples of eligible mitigation support activities mentioned in the announcement?

Eligible mitigation support activities described include building inventories; seismic safety assessments, evaluations, and inspections; reviews of critical structures and lifelines (such as hospitals, emergency facilities, utilities, transportation systems, and communications); and development or updating of hazard mitigation plans that identify structures needing retrofit, prioritize actions, and guide investments aimed at preventing life-safety threats and major damage in a serious earthquake.

8) What are “critical structures and lifelines” in the context of this opportunity?

The announcement provides examples of critical structures and lifelines such as hospitals, emergency facilities, utilities, transportation systems, and communications.

9) Does the program support developing or updating hazard mitigation plans?

Yes. The announcement lists the development or updating of hazard mitigation plans as an eligible activity, particularly plans that identify structures needing retrofit, prioritize actions, and guide investments to prevent life-safety threats and major damage.

10) What types of public awareness and earthquake education activities are supported?

The program supports activities intended to raise understanding of earthquake hazards and risks specific to an area and to encourage behavior changes that improve preparedness and resilience. Examples mentioned include outreach campaigns, educational materials, training, workshops, community programs, and other efforts that help residents and organizations know what to do before, during, and after shaking.

11) What is the “self-help approach” referenced in the announcement?

It means communities and individuals are encouraged to take practical steps related to preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Education and outreach are intended to promote actions people can take themselves to reduce avoidable damage and improve readiness.

12) Does the program fund technical work beyond outreach and mitigation planning?

Yes. The opportunity supports technical and program-building work that strengthens earthquake programs, including hazard identification and vulnerability assessments (also called loss estimation studies).

13) What is “hazard identification” as described in the announcement?

Hazard identification is described as the process of defining the potential for earthquakes and related geologic hazards in a given area.

14) What are vulnerability assessments or loss estimation studies?

They are studies that estimate the impacts and consequences of earthquake scenarios on people, buildings, infrastructure, and community resources. The announcement notes these studies help identify mitigation opportunities and help decision-makers target limited resources where they will reduce the most risk.

15) Does this opportunity support participation in national coordination meetings?

Yes. The announcement notes support for participation in the State Earthquake Program Managers meeting held nationally each year, emphasizing the value of coordination, shared practices, and consistent program management across states.

16) Where is this opportunity listed and what is the Funding Opportunity Number?

It is listed on Grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number DHS-09-FEMA-082-002, titled “Earthquake Hazards Reduction State Assistance Program.”

17) What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is Disaster Prevention and Relief, with a category explanation referencing earthquake consortia and state assistance.

18) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number included is 97.082, labeled “Earthquake Consortium.”

19) How many awards and how much total funding did FEMA anticipate?

FEMA anticipated three awards with an estimated total funding amount of $165,991.

20) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The notice states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

21) Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?

Eligibility is tied to FEMA Region II and specifically references New York (NY), Puerto Rico (PR), and the U.S. Virgin Islands (VI). The eligible applicant type is shown as “Others,” with a note to consult the announcement text for clarification.

22) What were the key dates for the application deadline?

The key dates shown include an original closing date of June 30, 2009, and a revised current closing date of July 29, 2009. The archive date listed is August 28, 2009.

23) Who can applicants contact for help accessing the full announcement?

Applicants needing help accessing the full announcement can contact the FEMA Call Center at (866) 927-5646 or email ASK-GMD@dhs.gov.

24) What kinds of outcomes is the program trying to achieve?

Based on the description, the program aims to reduce earthquake-related injuries, reduce damage and functional downtime in buildings and infrastructure, improve community understanding of local hazards, strengthen code and ordinance adoption/enforcement/update practices, and increase public preparedness so fewer lives and resources are lost during earthquakes.