Press Release

Press Release  MEMA Announces the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program and Flood Mitigation Assistance Program Application Period

For immediate release:
10/01/2019
  • Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

Media Contact   for MEMA Announces the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program and Flood Mitigation Assistance Program Application Period

Christopher Besse, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

Fiscal Year 2019 Grants for Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Flood Mitigation Assistance. A total of $410 Million in funding nationally is available for these competitive grant programs.

FRAMINGHAMThe Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is pleased to announce the availability of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 2019 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant (PDM) Program, and 2019 Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program funding. These federal grant programs provide funding for actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from future disasters. Federally funded mitigation grants, on average, can save $6 in future disaster costs for every $1 spent on hazard mitigation. Municipalities are invited to submit a Statement of Interest by October 11, 2019.

“In recent years, the Commonwealth has seen its share of severe weather and other emergencies and our Administration is committed to taking action now to prepare for future disasters and climate change,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These hazard mitigation grants are one of many tools communities can use to become more resilient.”

“These programs provide significant opportunities for Massachusetts communities to reduce, minimize, or eliminate potential damage to homes, business, and infrastructure from natural hazard events,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Funding for hazard mitigation plans and projects can reduce overall risks for residents across the Commonwealth.”

 “Responding to and recovering from emergencies and disasters are critical responsibilities for big cities and small towns alike,” said Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Secretary Thomas Turco III. “These mitigation grant programs provide an opportunity to invest in community resilience before the next emergency and minimize the potential impacts of a disaster.”

“MEMA, working closely with local officials, applies for these nationally-competitive annual federal grant programs,” said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Samantha Phillips. “Massachusetts communities have been successful in receiving funding for stormwater drainage and culvert improvements; floodplain and stream restoration; property acquisition; and more.”

This year FEMA has announced $250 million available nationally for the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant (PDM) and $160 million available nationally for the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program. State, tribal organizations, and local governments are eligible to apply as sub-applicants for these grants. Interested sub-applicants must fill out and submit a completed Statement of Interest by October 11, 2019. The Statement of Interest is available online at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/pdm-fma-grants.

MEMA will be an informational webinar on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 10:00 AM. For more details and login information, visit MEMA’s PDM & FMA Grants webpage or email mitigation@mass.gov.

The State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan, released in September 2018, allows the state to be eligible for these important federal funding programs. The plan provided a national model of integrating hazard mitigation priorities with forward-looking climate change data and solutions. The plan recommended 108 actions for the Commonwealth to pursue to increase resilience and reduce risks and vulnerabilities to natural hazards and projected climate change.

These federal grant programs are closely coordinated with the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program which provides communities with technical support, climate change data, and planning tools to identify hazards and develop strategies to improve resilience. Governor Baker also filed the Resilient MA legislation to support municipalities and help protect Massachusetts residents, communities, economy, natural resources and infrastructure from the adverse effects of climate change, through an increase in the excise on real estate transfers to fund a substantial and sustained investment in climate change adaptation through programs like MVP and the implementation of the State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan.

 

About MEMA

MEMA is the state agency charged with ensuring the state is prepared to withstand, respond to, and recover from all types of emergencies and disasters, including natural hazards, accidents, deliberate attacks, and technological and infrastructure failures. MEMA's staff of professional planners, communications specialists and operations and support personnel is committed to an all hazards approach to emergency management. By building and sustaining effective partnerships with federal, state and local government agencies, and with the private sector - individuals, families, non-profits and businesses - MEMA ensures the Commonwealth's ability to rapidly recover from large and small disasters by assessing and mitigating threats and hazards, enhancing preparedness, ensuring effective response, and strengthening our capacity to rebuild and recover. For additional information about MEMA and Emergency Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema.

Continue to follow MEMA updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MassEMA; Facebook at www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA; YouTube at www.youtube.com/MassachusettsEMA.

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Media Contact   for MEMA Announces the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program and Flood Mitigation Assistance Program Application Period

  • Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency 

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