The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the selection of 30 recipients to receive funding under the FEMA 2012 Community Resilience Innovation Challenge program.  The program focuses on “building local community resilience to man-made and natural disasters, with an emphasis on innovation, collaboration with community stakeholders, sustainability, repeatability, and measurable benefits to the community.”

According to the FEMA press release, “this year’s award recipients are recognized for programs designed to continue to move community preparedness forward, and assist local areas in building and revitalizing community-based partnerships to advance the nation’s resilience to disasters.”

“The best resiliency ideas originate from our states and tribal nations,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “The goal of this effort is to further empower communities to collaborate and develop innovative approaches to effectively respond to disasters.”

The FEMA press release states that, “The program is being funded by The Rockefeller Foundation and administered by the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation who acted as a third-party intermediary to encourage local communities to engage in creative activities that enhance disaster resilience. Funding levels ranged to a maximum award level of $35,000, and applications were open to most local, state, and tribal agencies and governments; business entities; associations; organizations and groups.”

“We live in a time of unpredictable shocks and chronic stresses, from climate change to natural or man-made disasters, and helping local communities become more resilient to these disruptions is more important than ever. Yet we’ve also seen that potential solutions to meet the needs of a community are often best surfaced by those who live with the stresses, and perhaps see them from a different perspective,” said Dr. Judith Rodin, president of The Rockefeller Foundation. “The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to helping people prepare for, withstand, and emerge stronger from disruptions, and is proud to support this program and the innovative efforts of local residents to build resilience in communities across the United States.”

“Over 1,900 applications were received across the country. FEMA is grateful to all applicants for their dedication and commitment to building community resilience. FEMA recognizes that a government-centric approach to disaster management is insufficient to meet the challenges posed by a catastrophic incident. To meet our nation’s preparedness goals, the whole community must be actively involved in all phases of the preparedness, response, and recovery cycle. These awards are designed to invest in and enhance the whole community effort.”

The following is a list, found in the FEMA press release, of the FEMA 2012 Community Resilience Innovation Challenge award recipients, representing all 10 FEMA Regions.

FEMA Region 1

Collaborating for Cape Cods Coastal Resiliency

Waquoit Bay Reserve Foundation – Waquoit, Massachusetts

Regional Flooding Risk Assessment and Community Rating System Feasibility Study

Greater Bridgeport Regional Council – Bridgeport, Connecticut

FEMA Region 2

Call 2 Action Campaign

Rockaway Waterfront Alliance – Far Rockaway, New York

Comprehensive Community Needs Follow Up and Outreach

Schoharie Area Long Term, Inc. – Schoharie, New York

Farm Disaster Preparation Certificate

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County – Canandaigua, New York

Lake George Water Quality Awareness Committees for Community Resilience

The Fund for Lake George – Lake George, New York

FEMA Region 3

Community Resilience Following a Nuclear Detonation in Washington DC

Community Emergency Response Network (CERN) – Laurel, Maryland

Community Resilience through Maximizing Local Supply Chain Capacity

Arlington Office of Emergency Management – Arlington, Virginia

Dynamic Decision Support for Managing Regional Resources

Center for Disaster Management, University of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

FEMA Region 4

Purchase of Garden Area and Cannery

Harvest of the Heart Garden, Inc. – Madison, Georgia

A Network of Emergency Power in Seymour

Volunteer Fire Department of Seymour – Seymour, Tennessee

FEMA Region 5

Countywide Faith Based Community Response

Williamson County Emergency Management Agency – Marion, Illinois

Trenton Kids to the Rescue

Trenton Police/Emergency Management Service – Trenton, Indiana

Comprehensive Community Emergency Notification Plan

Indiana Emergency Notification Committee – City of Monticello, Indiana

Disaster Preparedness:  Surviving Disasters Despite Communication Barriers and Breakdowns

Wisconsin Association of the Deaf – Delavan, Wisconsin

FEMA Region 6

Safe Harbor Master Plan for Vermillion Bay, Louisiana

Twin Parish Port District -Louisiana Sea Grant – Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Greater New Orleans Resiliency Resource Guide

Greater New Orleans Development Foundation – New Orleans, Louisiana

FEMA Region 7

Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network

The Salvation Army – Kansas City, Missouri

Risk Watch Program

Tama County Emergency Management Agency – Toledo, Iowa

Services Expansion

Delaware County Disaster Recovery Committee – Manchester, Iowa

Faith Based Planning and Preparedness Initiative

St. Charles County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (SCCCOAD) for Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service – St. Charles, Missouri

FEMA Region 8

Lightning Location and Analysis System

Crystal Park Homeowners Association – Manitou Springs, Colorado

Situation Awareness Environment and Knowledge Exchange Portal

Western Cyber Exchange, Rocky Mountain (WCX) – Colorado Springs, Colorado

Teton County Emergency Response Support Team

Teton County – Choteau, Montana

FEMA Region 9

Special Needs Population and Home Bound Patients Registry

American Samoa Department of Health – Pago Pago, American Samoa

Roadmap to Preparedness

United Policyholders – San Francisco, California

Tribal Emergency Response Crossing Boarders Coordination Project

Smith River Rancheria – Smith River, California

Hawaii Emergency Preparedness System of Support (HiPSS)

University of Hawaii, Office of Research Services – Honolulu, Hawaii

FEMA Region 10

Radio in a Box KRBD Community Radio –

Rainbird Community Broadcast – Ketchikan, Alaska

Emergency Hubs at P-Patch Community Gardens

Seattle Office of Emergency Management – Seattle, Washington