National Preparedness Month: Are You Prepared Enough?

September is National Preparedness Month and GrantWatch wants to take this time to make sure you are prepared for what might come your way. For this reason, GrantWatch is sharing a list of preparedness-related funding opportunities. National Preparedness Month focuses on encouraging individuals, agencies, and organizations to be prepared for emergencies or natural disasters that may occur. This includes making sure government agencies and nonprofits have the funding they need for proper equipment and programming. September is also the peak of hurricane season, which is why it is crucial individuals, especially homeowners, know how to prepare for hurricanes, as well as tornados, earthquakes, floods, and other disasters.

According to Forbes, the U.S. experienced a total of 18 climate disasters in 2022 that resulted in more than a billion in damages and 474 fatalities. Most natural disasters can only be predicted up to a certain extent and even then, there is never enough time to prepare. This is why having a plan already in place and the equipment needed for such events is imperative. The list of grants below includes grants for education, training, equipment, and programming. The list is broken into two parts, emergency medical services and homeland security grants as well as disaster relief grants. We hope this will help you prepare for what may come your way!

EMS and Homeland Security Grants

1. Grants are available to rural nonprofits and governmental EMS agencies for professional education and training. Funding supports the recruitment and development of rural EMS personnel.
2. There are also grants to law enforcement agencies for acquiring and training skilled police dogs. Funding helps cover the costs of acquiring and training a canine to enhance disaster search and rescue efforts, as well as equipment and certification.
3. In addition, there are grants of up to $50,000 available to eligible entities to improve emergency response capacity. This includes fire departments, EMS, and law enforcement agencies. Funding is for disaster relief, as well as the purchase of life-saving equipment, and for scholarships and prevention education.
4. There are grants to eligible emergency response providers for training and equipment. Eligible applicants include paramedic or EMS departments, fire departments, and law enforcement departments.
5. In-kind support to police, EMS, fire, and other public safety rescue agencies for used radios to facilitate communication. The purpose of the program is to provide used radio equipment at no cost to the agencies in an effort to support their life-saving missions and aid their communication in emergency situations.

Disaster Relief Grants

1. Grants are available to food service employees and their families for short-term financial relief during a crisis. Funding provides assistance to families with children who have recently faced the death, injury, or health crisis of a parent or child, fire, domestic violence, or natural disaster.
2. There are also grants open to nonprofits, government agencies, and tribes for programs and projects to reduce risks associated with natural disasters.
3. Funding is available to organizations to fund disaster relief efforts to benefit animals. 
4. Additionally, grants of up to $2,500 are available to nonprofit organizations for urgent disaster relief.
5. Lastly, grants are open to nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and tribal governments to improve disaster preparedness and recovery.

Household Tips for National Preparedness Month

• Make a Supply Kit- Keep at least a 3-day water supply per person and for pets. Make sure you have plenty of canned foods and other dry foods that do not need to be cooked or refrigerated in case you lose power and do not have a generator.
• Know Where to Run a Generator- Generator exhaust is toxic and can sicken or kill you. Always put generators outside and a safe distance from doors, windows, and vents. Never use a generator inside a home, basement, garage, crawlspace, tent, shed, or any other indoor or enclosed area. Carbon monoxide (CO) is deadly and can build up and linger for hours.
• Establish Multiple Family Meeting Spots– In case you are separated from your family during an emergency, plan several spots where you can meet up to reunite.
• Have an Indoor Safe Space- This may be a windowless room, a safe room, or a basement.
• Have Important Documents Somewhere Easy to Grab and Go– This is vital if you need to leave in a hurry and might not be able to come back or you are afraid your belongings might be destroyed.
• Learn CPR and First Aid- Knowing these two techniques could prove invaluable during an emergency situation.
• Learn How to Shut Off Gas, Water, and Electricity– This is important to know in case the lines are damaged.
• Compile an Inventory of Your Belongings- You might need this for insurance.

For other tips and useful information, visit this page.

GrantNews Notes

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