FEMA Webinar on How Communities Can Use and Benefit from its Public Assistance Mitigation Cost Share Incentives Policy

On November 13, 2024, from 3-4 pm ET, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will hold a webinar to provide an overview of its new interim policy aimed at strengthening disaster recovery efforts.

This interim policy introduces an increase in federal funding for post-disaster repair and reconstruction, moving the federal cost share from 75 percent to 85 percent for communities that have adopted and enforce one of the two most recent editions of the International Code Council’s International Building Code® (IBC) and International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC) or ASHRAE Standard 90.1.

FEMA’s recent update supports communities in their efforts to build resilience by prioritizing the adoption of the latest building and energy codes, which contribute to long-term safety and preparedness against future disasters. Their policy means that the building safety work you do could bring significantly greater resources to your community during disaster recovery.

FEMA’s Mitigation Cost Share Incentives Webinar

The webinar will outline how individuals can access the cost-share incentives and apply them to public facilities needing repair and reconstruction after a disaster.

Key areas of the webinar include:

• Overview of FEMA’s Public Assistance Mitigation Cost Share Incentives Policy: This policy, which aims to encourage resilient building code adoption, allows communities to access a higher level of federal funding for reconstruction projects if they are already implementing updated building codes.
• Benefits of Adopting Current Building and Energy Codes: The presentation will discuss how adopting the latest building and energy conservation codes can help mitigate the impact of disasters by making buildings more resilient.
• Application of Cost Share Incentives: Information on how communities can apply the increased funding to their post-disaster recovery efforts.

To join the webinar, click here, the passcode to join is CSI.

Why Do Updated Codes Matter?

FEMA’s Building Codes Save report noted the IBC helped avoid more than $600 billion in losses, while the National Institute for Building Sciences Mitigation Saves study showed $11 in mitigation savings for every $1 invested. Three national labs found the IECC can reduce extreme heat deaths associated with disaster-induced power outrages by 80 percent, or extreme cold deaths by 30 percent.

FEMA already requires the use of these codes for repair and reconstruction efforts. Providing additional funding for jurisdictions that adopt updated codes recognizes the importance of their mitigation benefits and will incentivize smart planning before disaster strikes.

Send a comment to FEMA to encourage them to recognize and support modern codes that promote resiliency. Click here for more information.