News from 2023


FEMA Awards Rhode Island Nearly $1.6 Million for Covid Equipment Costs

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending almost $1.6 million to the State of Rhode Island to reimburse the state for the cost of purchasing, warehousing and distributing materials during the COVID-19 pandemic.


As Kentucky Rebuilds, FEMA Helps Build Resiliency

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides supplemental grants to commonwealth and local governments, to help communities quickly respond to and recover from major disasters.



Additional California Counties Affected by Severe Winter Storms Now Eligible for FEMA Assistance

Residents of Madera, Mendocino and Mono counties are now eligible for federal disaster assistance through FEMA.


FEMA Provides Additional Support for Territory’s COVID-19 Response

FEMA has committed an additional $33.5 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands to reimburse the territory for emergency medical services during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Broward County

The State of Florida and FEMA are operating a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Broward County.


Cleveland County Disaster Survivors Now Eligible for FEMA

Cleveland County has been added to the major disaster declaration for Oklahoma’s tornadoes, straight-line wind and severe storms April 19-20.


One Month Left to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

Homeowners and renters in Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne counties who had damage or losses in the recent storms and tornadoes have until Tuesday, June 6, 2023, to apply for federal disaster assistance.


U.S. Fire Administration Announces Effort to Launch New Fire Information and Analytics Platform

Today, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announces the launch of the modernization effort to develop a new, interoperable fire information and analytics platform, known as the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), for the American fire and emergency services. This effort is being carried out as a partnership between USFA and the US Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (S&T).


Mobile Disaster Recovery Center Making Stop in Greenville

Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) run by FEMA and the state of Mississippi is now open in Greenville.


President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Kentucky

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides Feb. 15-20, 2023.


FEMA Direct Temporary Housing Helps Families Return Home in Western Kentucky

Eighteen months after a major disaster was declared for Western Kentucky due to tornadoes and severe storms, FEMA’s temporary housing program is scheduled to end for survivors Friday, June 12, 2023.


FEMA approves Nearly $16 Million in Federal Funding for the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management

FEMA has approved nearly $16 million for the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM) to support their emergency operations center (EOC) in response to the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides last summer.



Just Two Weeks Left for Mississippi Storm Survivors to Apply for Federal Support

Mississippi homeowners and renters who sustained damage to their primary property from the March 24-25 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes have just two weeks left to apply for federal assistance.



Peters Reintroduces Legislation To Combat Increased Use Of Dangerous Gun Conversion Devices

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced bipartisan legislation to combat the increased use and proliferation of dangerous gun conversion devices.


Peters Urges Omb To Include Middle Eastern Or North African Category In Federal Standards For Gathering Data On Race And Ethnicity

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is calling on the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to accept an interagency working group’s recommended revisions to federal standards for collecting data on race and ethnicity.


Peters Convenes Hearing On Improving Access To Federal Grants For Underserved Communities

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, convened a hearing to discuss challenges faced by governments and organizations in small and rural communities when applying for federal grants


Peters & Cornyn Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill To Protect Commercial Satellites From Cybersecurity Threats

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would require the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to help protect commercial satellite owners and operators from disruptive cyber-attacks.