Hazard mitigation is any sustainable action that reduces or eliminates long-term risk to people and property from future disasters. Mitigation planning breaks the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction and repeated damage. Hazard mitigation includes long-term solutions that reduce the impact of disasters in the future.
Individual homeowners and business owners may not apply for HMA grants directly; however, eligible local governments may apply on their behalf. All eligible applicants, including special districts, must have a FEMA-approved Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP) in place prior to applying for HMA grant program funding. Private nonprofits are an exception to this requirement (for post-disaster grant programs only). If your NHMP has expired, if you have questions pertaining to the NHMP requirement, or would like to know more about an extraordinary circumstances exception request pertaining to an expired plan, please contact the State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO).
The five Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs funded by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and managed by the state hazard mitigation officer (SHMO) include:
Pre-disaster Grants
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) (new in 2020; replaced PDM)
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
Pre-disaster Mitigation (PDM) (replaced by BRIC in 2020)
Post-disaster Grants
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post Fire
Please note that funds are normally provided on a reimbursement basis. The only circumstance where the grantee may be advanced funds is when acquiring those real properties scheduled for closing within 30 days of the request for funds. Therefore, if your community does not have the financial resources to cover payments before receiving grant funds, you may want to plan ahead when it comes to scheduling closings or paying invoices.
Hazard Mitigation Training Library
Download the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Pre-Application Form
Submitting this form ensures that your grant proposal is reviewed by the State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO) and is considered for inclusion in the Oregon Emergency Management's (OEM) library of eligible mitigation grant proposals, which is referenced when funding opportunities arise. It is an important first step in the grant application process.
Hazard Mitigation Program HandbookThis guidance document was created to assist those applying for mitigation assistance through the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) program offered by FEMA and OEM. It includes a step-by-step guide to the most common questions when filling out the Hazard Mitigation Sub-application. However, there may be additional assistance needed. If this occurs, please contact the OEM Mitigation Team at 503-378-2260 or email oem.hazardmitigation@oem.oregon.gov. To review FEMA’s HMGP requirements, please refer to the HMA Guidance and HMA Guidance Addendum.
Download the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Handbook
Natural Hazard Mitigation Assistance Dashboard
Subscribe to receive Hazard Mitigation Assistance Updates
Hazard Mitigation Assistance ContactsThe Mitigation Section falls under the Mitigation and Recovery Services (MARS) Section within Oregon Emergency Management (OEM). The Mitigation Section consists of a Manager, the State Hazard Mitigation Officer, a Mitigation Support Specialist, six Mitigation Program Representatives, an Administrative Specialist and an Accountant to administer the HMA grant programs at the state-level. The SHMO is the liaison between local entities and FEMA Region X for all hazard mitigation assistance grant programs. The SHMO also facilitates the quarterly
State Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team (IHMT) meetings. MARS includes a Planner, who primarily works with entities on natural hazard mitigation plans in addition to assisting OEM with a variety of post-disaster recovery efforts. The Planner also plays an active role during IHMT meetings (agenda drafting, meeting minutes, etc.).
When contacting the HMA team via email please include the Grant and Project number in the subject line.
Hazard Mitigation Assistance Contacts
State Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
Oregon's NHMP was approved by FEMA on September 21, 2020, and is effective from September 24, 2020, through September 23, 2025. It is now a standard plan versus Oregon's enhanced status, which was removed when the previous plan expired on September 23, 2020.
Pre-disaster Grants
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) (new in 2020; replaced PDM)
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. BRIC is a new FEMA pre-disaster hazard mitigation program that replaces the existing Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program.
The BRIC program guiding principles are to support communities through capability- and capacity-building; encourage and enable innovation; promote partnerships; enable large projects; maintain flexibility; and provide consistency.
How do I apply for BRIC? Reach out to the SHMO for further guidance.
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program is a competitive grant program that provides funding to states, local communities, federally recognized tribes and territories. Funds may be used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.FEMA chooses recipients based on the applicant's ranking of the project, and the eligibility and cost-effectiveness of the project. FEMA requires state, local, tribal and territorial governments to develop and adopt hazard mitigation plans as a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for hazard mitigation assistance projects. For more information, see the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance.How do I apply for FMA? Reach out to the SHMO for further guidance.
Pre-disaster Mitigation (PDM) (replaced by BRIC in 2020)
The SHMO continues to manage previous PDM grant rounds from 2019 and prior. If you have any questions in regards to previously submitted sub-applications, please contact the SHMO.
Post-disaster Grants
Post-disaster grant programs under HMA include the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post Fire.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to state, local, tribal, private nonprofits and territorial governments so they can rebuild in a way that reduces, or mitigates, future disaster losses in their communities. This grant funding is available after a presidentially declared disaster.
The application period opens once the SHMO receives a 30-day estimate and the SHMO sends out statewide guidance including funding available under said disaster, timeline, etc., and closes 12 months after the disaster declaration date.
How do I apply for HMGP? Reach out to the SHMO for further guidance.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post Fire (HMGP-PF)
Wildfires can destroy homes, businesses, infrastructure, natural resources and agriculture. They can also increase secondary hazards and leave areas prone to floods, erosion and mudflows for many years. FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) has Post Fire assistance available to help communities implement hazard mitigation measures after wildfire disasters.
The application period opens with the state or territory's first FMAG declaration of the fiscal year and closes six months after the end of that fiscal year. The SHMO will send out statewide guidance for HMGP-PF including funding available, timelines, etc.
How do I apply for HMGP-PF? Reach out to the SHMO for further guidance.
Current HMA Grant Rounds/Funding Opportunities
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Significant Dates
Hazard Mitigation Planning Information and Resources
Hazard Mitigation Fiscal Information and Resources