EPA's “Guide to Using Toxics Release Inventory Data to Reduce Pollution in Your Community"

EPA has a new online resource for individuals and organizations working to reduce local industrial pollution. This guide helps users identify local sources of chemical emissions, understand which ones may be of greatest concern, and advance solutions to reduce chemical releases from these sources. View the new TRI P2 Guide.

FEMA's 2024 Tribal Strategy Progress Report

FEMA released the 2024 National Tribal Strategy Progress Report, which builds on FEMA's commitment to implementing the 2022-2026 National Tribal Strategy. The report serves as a testament to ensuring FEMA remains accountable to the Tribal Nations that played a pivotal role in shaping this strategy. FEMA’s 2024 Tribal Strategy Progress Report illustrates how the agency has engaged with Tribal Nations in the past year and improved FEMA's support to them before, during, and after disasters. The progress report and FY 2024 FEMA Tribal Engagement Map are available on the FEMA Tribal Affairs Hub. 

Updated FEMA Tribal Declarations Interim Guidance and Publication of National Disaster Recovery Framework - Third Edition

FEMA released the Tribal Declarations Interim Guidance, which reflects significant improvements to better support Tribal Nations during disaster response and recovery efforts. 

This Interim Guidance introduces critical updates to simplify processes, enhance access to federal programs, and empower tribal sovereignty in disaster declarations and recovery efforts. These updates incorporate feedback from over 100 Tribal nations and focus on increasing flexibility, enhancing accessibility, and empowering Tribal sovereignty. Notable changes include reducing the Public Assistance (PA) minimum damage amount, adjusting cost shares, extending deadlines, and streamlining the declaration process. The public comment period is now open through January 2, 2025. 

The third edition of the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF), now available on National Disaster Recovery Framework | FEMA.gov. This publication reflects the valuable input and expertise of state, local, Tribal Nation, and territorial partners; nongovernmental organizations; business and industry leaders; and countless subject matter experts across FEMA. Their collective contributions have helped shape a framework that better supports disaster recovery efforts nationwide.

U.S. Chemical Safety Board Urges Chemical Facilities to Prepare Now for Extreme Cold-Weather this Winter

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) issued a news release re-emphasizing to chemical facilities the importance of being prepared for extreme cold outdoor weather, which includes identifying and implementing best safety practices for cold weather operations to avoid serious chemical accidents this winter.

For more information on CSB updates and news releases please visit www.csb.gov or contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at Hillary.Cohen@csb.gov.

EPA Webinar: Developing the Tribal Chemical Emergency Planning Framework, January 23, 2025, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Virtual

Click here for the link to join the webinar.

This training is open to everyone and will provide the foundational knowledge and resources needed for Tribes to develop their chemical emergency planning frameworks. This will include how to develop a Tribal Emergency Response Commission (TERC) or a Tribal Emergency Planning Committee (TEPC), and also to discuss the interactions between Tribes, States, regulated facilities, and locals. The training will include an overview provided by the US EPA’s Jennifer Barre, and insights on the challenges and successes of Tribal implementation of EPCRA will be offered by Chuck Kmet, Emergency Manager for the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. 

This will only include a brief regulatory overview of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), which is also known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA Title III). Please review the background information below for this fundamental knowledge.

Background Information: www.epa.gov/epcra (Except EPCRA 313 the Toxics Release Inventory program); 40 CFR 355 (Emergency Planning and Notification); 40 CFR 370 (Hazardous Chemical Reporting); 40 CFR 350 (Trade Secrecy Claims).

ChemLock: Introduction to Chemical Security Training Course, Virtual

This course provides an introduction to identifying, assessing, evaluating, and mitigating chemical security risks. This easy-to-understand overview identifies key components and best practices of chemical security awareness and planning to help kickstart chemical security discussions at your facility.

This course runs 1-2 hours in length and is appropriate for all personnel regardless of their level of involvement with dangerous chemicals.

• Register for January 15, 2025 - 1-3 p.m. ET

• Register for April 15, 2025 - 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET

ChemLock: Secure Your Chemicals Security Planning Training Course, Virtual

This course walks through how to create a tailored, scalable security plan that meets the business model and unique circumstances of a facility. Participants will learn the key elements of a chemical security plan and benefit from examples, lessons learned, and best practices.

This course runs 2-3 hours in length and is designed to help leadership, facility security personnel, and other applicable personnel understand, develop, and implement a facility security plan.

• Register for February 18, 2025 - 12-3 p.m. ET

• Register for May 21, 2025 - 10a.m.-1 p.m. ET

For more information or to request a specific training for your facility, please visit the ChemLock Training webpage.

FEMA Community of Practice Webinar, January 29, 2025, 2:00pm-4:00pm Eastern Time, Virtual

FEMA is hosting an Alert and Warning Community of Practice Webinar. This webinar continues the peer-to-peer learning, social science insights, and technical discussions initiated through FEMA’s When Minutes Matter: Technical Assistance Workshops. The webinar is open to individuals with a role in communicating emergency protective action guidance to the public. Register at: Alert and Warning Communications Community of Practice Webinar- Zoom Registration.

EPA Western Regions SERC/TERC Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, January 28-29, 2025

Annual meeting with SERCs and TERCs from EPA Regions 8, 9, and 10 at the Utah Multi-Agency State Office Building (MASOB), DEQ Board Room.195 N 1950 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84116. Use the Event Brite link to view the agenda and RSVP.

2025 NASTTPO Annual Workshop, Milwaukee, WI, April 21-25, 2025

Annual workshop to be held at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, 333 West Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203. For more information and to register for the workshop please visit the NASTTPO website.

FEMA Recorded Webinar for "Engaging Faith-Based and Community Organizations: Planning Considerations for Emergency Managers”

In October, FEMA and the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships released “Engaging Faith-Based and Community Organizations: Planning Considerations for Emergency Managers.” This document outlines best practices for engaging faith-based and community organizations before, during, and after disasters to help communities improve their resilience and emergency management capabilities.

Now, there is a recorded webinar session to provide an overview of the guide. Emergency managers may view the recording at their convenience and share with their community partners. To access the guide, recorded webinar session, and other planning resources, visit Planning Guides | FEMA.gov.