E-1163 Preliminary Damage Assessment Course Now Offered Virtually
FEMA has announced a significant update to its training offerings. The E-1163 Preliminary Damage Assessment for state, tribal, territorial and local officials course will now be delivered in a virtual format as K-1163.
Course details
Course number: K-1163 (formerly E-1163)
Format: Virtual delivery
Dates: Sept. 9-11, 2025
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ET
Course description:
This comprehensive course provides state, tribal, territorial and local staff with essential information specific to the preliminary damage assessment process. Participants will learn about roles and responsibilities in the PDA process, information collection procedures for PDAs, methodologies for conducting damage assessments and the disaster declaration process.
For information on how to apply for this course, visit the NETC Online Admissions Application page. The application requires supervisory approval via email verification.
For questions about the course or the registration process, contact FEMA National Disaster and Emergency Management University Response and Recovery at fema-emi-randr@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA Begins Process to Update the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Manual
The public comment period will be open until Sept. 30.
To submit a comment
1. Access the 2023 manual on FEMA.gov.
2. Complete a Comment Matrix form to capture relevant details, such as page number, background information and recommended solution language.
3. Email a copy of the completed Comment Matrix to femathdpolicy@fema.dhs.gov, with the subject line “2023 RPM Public Comment.”
The next FEMA Review Council meeting will take place on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. With the Council being a FACA body, the public has the chance to participate virtually (in listen-only) during an open session from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. ET with updates from council leadership and an open panel discussion.
You can register to attend by providing your full legal name and email address no later than 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, to the DFO Patrick Powers via email to FEMAreviewcouncil@hq.dhs.gov. PDAT Training Announcement
FEMA Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) is offering a series of virtual trainings on the federal procurement rules applicable to recipients and subrecipients purchasing under a FEMA grant award or declaration. These trainings are facilitated by GPD’s Procurement Under Grants (PUG) Division and offered on various dates through the end of October.
The trainings will cover:
Frequent compliance issues with the federal procurement rules,
Exigency or emergency circumstances,
Full and open competition,
Domestic preference requirements,
Fraud prevention, and
Highlight a variety of user-friendly resources.
These trainings are appropriate for FEMA award recipients and subrecipients, including state, local, tribal nation and territorial government personnel; nonprofit organization staff; and other recipients and subrecipients of FEMA grants. Trainings are offered in one-hour, two-hour and three-hour formats.
For additional information, including training descriptions, schedule of trainings and links to register for these procurement trainings, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/grants/procurement/training.
FEMA Updates Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guide
The updated guide, retroactive to Jan. 20, has been edited to ensure compliance with administration priorities by removing references to rescinded presidential executive orders. It also incorporates federal regulation changes, reduces duplicative language and removes the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard.
FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs provide funding for eligible mitigation activities that protect life and property from future disasters to build a more resilient nation.
The guide supports stakeholder efforts by providing clear guidance on hazard mitigation goals and regulatory compliance. It remains a critical resource for understanding FEMA's hazard mitigation assistance programs and policies.
Message from Emergency Management Director Mary Moran
Emergency Managers,
As we mark EMA Appreciation Week, I want to thank each of you for your dedication, adaptability and resilience through another turbulent and unpredictable year. Governor Braun proclaimed this week as EMA Appreciation Week because your commitment to protecting lives, property and the well-being of your communities, no matter the challenges, has not gone unnoticed.
This week, Executive Director Jennifer-Ruth Green and I recorded a special video to kick things off and recognize your vital role in public safety. I encourage you to take a few moments to watch and reflect on the impact you and your colleagues have every day.
You can also read inspiring stories and profiles of EMAs from across Indiana, including a blog post about the Pokagon tribe’s safety efforts, by visiting on.in.gov/ema-week
. I hope these stories remind you that you are part of a strong and dedicated network of professionals working toward the same goal of keeping Indiana safe and prepared.
Thank you for all that you do.
Mary Moran, Emergency Management & Preparedness Director
Complete the county survey for the Emergency Alert Task Force
Governor Braun directed the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to establish the Indiana Emergency Alert Task Force to study the status of the emergency alert system in Indiana and provide recommendations to improve the system.
The task force held its first public meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, and is now requesting each county emergency management agency fill out the following survey as a starting point for future task force meetings and discussions by Aug. 19.
This survey will give the task force an understanding of the state's site picture for emergency sirens and mass notifications for the Governor's report due Nov. 1.
If you have questions about the survey, please work directly with your IDHS District Liaison.
The survey also includes an opportunity to provide additional comments and feedback. The next task force meeting will be on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m. ET. We welcome you to join the livestream.
Updates on Public Assistance Process for Storm Recovery
IDHS and FEMA teams are conducting initial Public Assistance applicant meetings and site visits in counties impacted by the March 30 to April 9 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding. These meetings are the first step in assisting eligible local governments and specific nonprofits with the process of applying for federal funding to repair or replace damaged public infrastructure.
FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Cirone and IDHS Deputy Director Whitham joined teams on the ground in Bartholomew County last week for initial public assistance applicant meetings. These teams finished applicant meetings and site assessments in Brown, Bartholomew, Decatur and Franklin counties over the weekend.
Meetings will continue in additional counties, and IDHS will provide updates as more information becomes available.Local Government Updates
The 2025 National CERT Conference concluded in Plainfield recently after bringing together more than 200 CERT volunteers, instructors, program managers and emergency managers from across the country and around the world. Participants spent several days learning, networking and sharing ideas to strengthen community resilience. IDHS partnered with the National CERT Association to host the event, which also relied on the support of sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers to make it a success.
Indiana had strong representation with county teams from Hamilton, Hendricks, Kosciusko, Lake, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Parke, Putnam and Tippecanoe in attendance.
Putnam County CERT received national recognition for its excellence and commitment to serving its community, an honor that reflects the dedication of its members and the support of local partners. IDHS thanks all who attended for making this year's conference a collaborative and impactful gathering that will strengthen preparedness efforts nationwide.
WebEOC Updates
Distribution and Storage Sites Board Updates
The Distribution and Storage Site board in WebEOC is an essential tool that allows IDHS to track logistics distribution and storage sites. These sites, which include Commodity Points of Distribution, staging areas and warehouses, form a key part of emergency management operations. Each site record includes its location, hours of operation, contact details, site capabilities and the option to upload relevant attachments.
Distribution and storage sites in WebEOC are used by emergency management and public safety personnel to distribute essential items for life sustainment to residents of Indiana. Tracking these resources is critical to ensuring proper support reaches those in need. Sharing information about these sites enhances coordination among jurisdictions and strengthens the state's overall response to emergencies. The aggregation of these sites and the resources they provide during incident operations also supports the context and justification for potential FEMA disaster declarations.
All jurisdictions that maintain distribution and storage sites in WebEOC must periodically review each site's information for accuracy. Because site details can change frequently, keeping this information current during normal operations is essential. The State Emergency Operations, Logistics and WebEOC teams have implemented a requirement for a primary contact phone number and email address. This change will enable the WebEOC team to develop an automated notification system, reminding jurisdictions to review their distribution and storage sites. This proactive approach will assist jurisdictions during critical situations and help ensure readiness.
The 2025 NIMS/CPG 101 survey is now open for completion. All EMAs receiving EMPG funds are required to complete this survey by Nov. 15.
The 2025 THIRA/SPR process is also open, and counties may now begin completing their THIRA/SPR submissions. The deadline for submitting the 2025 THIRA/SPR is Oct. 31, 2025. The U.S. DHS and FEMA require all EMPG Program recipients to complete a Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and a Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR). Additional details on this requirement can be found on page 18 of the FY2025 EMPG NOFO.
This requirement is mandated by U.S. DHS and FEMA. IDHS appreciates the prompt attention of all EMAs to these deadlines and encourages agencies with questions to reach out for assistance.
Updated THIRA/SPR File Location in WebEOC
Following a recent WebEOC update, the file location for the 2025 THIRA/SPR guidance documents has changed. Previous files have been archived and remain available for reference if needed.
A brief instructional guide has been created to help you navigate to the updated folders and locate the materials needed to complete the 2025 THIRA/SPR assessment.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please get in touch with Emergency Prep Director Joshua Kiilu at jkiilu1@dhs.in.gov.
SEAR Program
Each year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security requests that each state provide a detailed list of events within its borders. Indiana consistently provides a comprehensive list, which helps demonstrate that the state hosts more events than many others. The Federal DHS recognizes the need for federal funding in Indiana to help support emergency management.
IDHS is requesting that each county emergency management office update its events in the WebEOC Scheduled Events and SEAR (Special Event Assessment Rating) board to include the future dates of events occurring between Dec. 1, 2025, and Nov. 30, 2026. County EMA offices should refer to the SEAR email sent on July 10 for program details.
The IDHS IT enabled the board to duplicate an event, eliminating the need to re-enter regular events. There is also an "Add New Event" button in the upper left corner for adding new significant events. To update an event, click the “Duplicate” button for each event. It will refresh, allowing users to click and add the new dates between Dec. 1, 2025, and Nov. 30, 2026. Fields may be changed as appropriate, but unless there are updates, no changes are required. Federal DHS has removed multiple questions, making it easier to enter new events. Complete the new event type field using the dropdown box, then click “Next” to scroll through the pages until the end. Click “Save and Close” to obtain the green “Verified” button on the main
screen for each event.
If any required fields are missing, instructions will be displayed in red at the top of the page. If the exact dates for a future event are unknown, provide the best estimate and update it later if needed.
Questions or requests for assistance can be sent to Janice Lee, SEAR Program Manager, at jalee@dhs.in.gov or 317-605-7005. The deadline to complete this request is Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025.
