IEM Blog

IEM Insight: Combatting the Winter Blues Alongside the COVID-19 Pandemic
Throughout the pandemic it is important that individuals focus on their mental health as well as their physical health and practice self care.
IEM Insight: Enjoying Fall Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic
With COVID-19 cases rising across the nation you can still enjoy the season, however, Fall activities may look a little different this year due to the pandemic.
IEM Insights: The basics of the Disaster Relief Fund, or DRF, for those of us who aren’t Stafford Act experts or former FEMA CFO
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) has been in the news recently due to COVID-19. Let’s look at some of the basics.
IEM Insight: Addressing the Financial Needs of Communities
The famous line “show me the money,” from the 1996 movie Jerry McGuire, is appropriate for 2020 as every state, locality, territory, and tribe (SLTT) in the United States is seeking financial assistance in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and its ramifications.
FEMA’s New (Interim) Policy – “COVID-19 Pandemic: Work Eligible for Public Assistance” – Changes for FEMA Category B work starting September 15, 2020
FEMA just released the interim “COVID-19 Pandemic: Work Eligible for Public Assistance (PA)” Policy dated September 1, 2020. This new Policy is effective for work performed on or after September 15, 2020. For all work performed on or before September 14, 2020, FEMA’s previous policies, guidance and fact sheets still apply.
Transforming Communities through Resilience
FEMA’s mitigation grant program, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), has the power to transform communities across the nation. In this piece, IEM examines BRIC’s ability to enhance resiliency and thoughts on submitting a strong project proposal.
Enjoying Summer Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has kept individuals at home for months, and after a cold and remote start to the year, many are eager to leave their homes and enjoy the summer. Social distancing and other public safety measures will impact how individuals enjoy the summer, but they should not prevent you from participating in your favorite activities. IEM’s Medical Director, Rashid Chotani, has developed a guide for how individuals can participate in summer activities while being mindful of public health.
Using AI and ML to combat the COVID-19 pandemic
The future of emergency management and public health is data driven. AI and ML are helping save lives, as COVID-19 continues to threaten public health, innovative technologies will continue to be developed to improve public safety and prepare for future disasters.
IEM Celebrates National Book Lovers Day
Sunday, August 9, 2020 is National Book Lovers Day. At IEM we LOVE books – we are interested in what we can learn from history in works of nonfiction and welcome the opportunity to escape into a great piece of fiction. To celebrate #nationalbookloversday, the IEM team compiled a list of some our favorite disaster and emergency management related books.
Understanding and Maximizing Federal Resources: Insights on FEMA’s Guidance on “Coordinating Public Assistance and Other Federal Funding Sources”
On July 2, 2020, FEMA released the “Federal Cost Share for Public Assistance Program” fact sheet. In this piece, IEM examines the background and importance of these two pages of federal guidance.