Glossary
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Updated in 2023, the FEMA Acronyms,
Abbreviations and Terms (FAAT) PDF contains a full listing of commonly used terms.
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Narrative Statement
The grant applicant's written description of the proposed grant project containing all the requisite information as required by the grant program's guidance.
National Emergency Management Information System (NEMIS)
An integrated data management system that automates management of disaster response and recovery operations, including application registration, processing, and payment of assistance to disaster survivors.
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF)
A nonprofit foundation leading a nationwide effort to honor America's fallen firefighters that provides resources to assist their families.
National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS)
The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-498) authorizes the National Fire Data Center in the United States Fire Administration (USFA) to gather and analyze information on the magnitude of the nation's fire problem, as well as its detailed characteristics and trends. The Act further authorizes the USFA to develop uniform data reporting methods and encourage and assist state agencies in developing and reporting data. To carry out the intentions of the Act, the National Fire Data Center established the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
A nonprofit organization whose mission is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically-based consensus codes and standards, research, training and education.
NFPA 1002
NFPA standard identifying the minimum job performance requirements for firefighters who drive and operate fire apparatus in both emergency and nonemergency situations.
NFPA 1710
NFPA standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments (Section 5.2.4.2, Initial Full Alarm Assignment Capability). This standard primarily applies to all-career fire departments and combination departments at the combination department's election.
NFPA 1720
NFPA standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations and Special Operations to Public by Volunteer Fire Departments (Section 4.3 – Staffing and Deployment). This standard primarily applies to all-volunteer fire departments but may also apply to combination departments if the combination department does not elect to comply with the NFPA 1710 standard.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
1) The NFIP is a program that makes federally-backed flood insurance available in those states and communities that agree to adopt and enforce flood-plain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. (AFGP)
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The program of flood insurance coverage and floodplain management administered under the Act and applicable federal regulations promulgated in Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Subchapter B.
National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929
National standard reference datum for elevations, formerly referred to as Mean Sea Level (MSL) of 1929. NGVD 1929 may be used as the reference datum on some Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
A system mandated by HSPD-5 providing a consistent nationwide approach for state, local, territorial and tribal governments. This system allows the private-sector and nongovernmental organizations to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for, respond to and recover from domestic incidents regardless of cause, size or complexity. To provide for interoperability and compatibility among state, local, territorial and tribal capabilities, NIMS includes a core set of concepts, principles and terminology. HSPD-5 identifies these components as the Incident Command System; multi-agency coordination systems; training; identification and management of resources (including systems for classifying types of resources); qualification and certification and the collection, tracking and reporting of incident information and incident resources.
Natural Grade
The grade unaffected by construction techniques such as fill, landscaping or berming.
Natural Resources
Land, fish, wildlife, biota and water. Water means salt and fresh water, surface and ground water used for drinking, irrigation, aquaculture and recreational purposes, as well as in its capacity as fish and wildlife habitat.
New Construction
Buildings for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after the effective date of an initial Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) or after December 31, 1974, whichever is later, including any subsequent improvements.
a. For Floodplain Management Purposes: Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of a floodplain management regulation adopted by a community and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.
b. For Determining Insurance Rates: Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of an initial FIRM or after December 31, 1974, whichever is later, and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures. Flood insurance rates for new construction are based on the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) in relation to the BFE.
National Flood Insurance Program Requirements
- 59.1 - Definition
Newly Mapped (A Property Newly Mapped into the SFHA)
). A property that was once designated outside of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) on an effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and following a map revision, is designated within the SFHA. Property newly mapped into the SFHA by a map revision on or after April 1, 2015, and meeting certain loss history requirements is eligible for the Newly Mapped rating procedure outlined in the Newly Mapped section of this manual if coverage is purchased within 1 year of the map revision and continuously maintained. A property meeting the loss history requirements and newly mapped into the SFHA by a map revision effective on or after October 1, 2008, and before April 1, 2015, may be insured under the Newly Mapped rating procedure if coverage is purchased on or after April 1, 2015, but before April 1, 2016, and maintained continuously. The newly mapped procedure is not available for any property mapped into the SFHA by the initial FIRM.
NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent
A corporation, partnership, association or any other organized entity that contracts with FEMA to be the focal point of support operations for the NFIP.
NFIP Servicing Agent
A corporation, partnership, association or any other organized entity that contracts with FEMA to service insurance policies as direct business.
NFIP Special Direct Facility (SDF)
Formed in 2000, a branch of the NFIP Servicing Agent to which Write Your Own (WYO) Companies transfer renewals for identified Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) properties so that mitigation assistance can be offered to the policyholders.
Nonaffiliated EMS Organization
A public or private nonprofit emergency medical services organization providing direct emergency medical services to a specific geographic area on a first-due basis but not affiliated with a hospital or serving a geographic area where emergency medical services are adequately provided by a fire department.
Non-Federal Funds
Financial resources provided by sources other than the federal government. The term does not include funds provided to a state or local government through a federal grant, unless the authorizing statute for that grant explicitly allows the funds to be used as a match for other federal grants.