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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Date of Construction
The date that the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction or improvement was within 180 days of the permit date.
Deadline Date
The date by which an applicant must submit their discretionary grant (or cooperative agreement) application in order to be considered for funding by the federal agency.
Debris
The remains of something broken down or destroyed.
Declarations Page
A computer-generated summary of information provided by the prospective policyholder in the application for flood insurance. The declarations page also describes the term of the policy and the limits of coverage and displays the premium and the insurer's name. The declarations page is a part of the flood insurance policy.
Deductible
The fixed amount of an insured loss that is the responsibility of the insured and that is incurred before any amounts are paid for the insured loss under the insurance policy.
Default
Failure to perform what is required or to fulfill an obligation such as the requirements of a grant. Defaulting on a federal grant may require the return of all or a portion of the federal funds disbursed under the grant.
Delinquent Debt
Overdue or failure to satisfy a financial obligation to a person or entity. For the purposes of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, the debt in question is debt to the federal government. The concern applies only to the applicant organization, not the individual or authorized representative who is completing the application. Categories of debt include delinquent audit disallowances, loans and taxes.
Department of Homeland Security
The federal agency responsible for leading a unified national effort to secure the United States of America. Its mission is preventing and deterring terrorist attacks and protecting against and responding to, threats and hazards to the nation. DHS ensures safe and secure borders, welcomes lawful immigrants and visitors and promotes the free-flow of commerce.
Dependent
Someone who is normally claimed as such on the Federal tax return of another, according to the Internal Revenue Code. It may also mean the minor children of a couple not living together, where the children live in the affected residence with the parent or guardian who does not actually claim them on the tax return. 44 CFR 206.111
Described Location
The location where the insured building or personal property is found. The described location is shown on the Declarations Page.
Diagram Number
Any of the numbers used in the instructions to the NFIP Elevation Certificate to identify the diagrams of the main types of buildings.
Direct Assistance
Assistance provided to disaster survivors by the Federal Government in the form of physical resources; essentially all assistance that is not provided monetarily. This includes housing units that are acquired by purchase or lease, directly for individuals or households who, because of a lack of available housing resources, would be unable to make use of financial assistance as well as direct activities by the government to repair or rent units, such as contracting with a company to repair a rental property.
Direct Physical Loss By or From Flood
Loss or damage to insured property, directly caused by a flood. There must be evidence of physical changes to the property.
Discretionary Grant
An award of financial assistance in the form of money, or property in lieu of money, by the federal government to an eligible grantee, usually on the basis of a competitive review process.
Doublewide Manufactured (Mobile) Home
A manufactured (mobile) home that, when assembled as a nonmovable, permanent building, is at least 16 feet wide and has an area within its perimeter walls of at least 600 square feet.
Drag Rescue Device
The drag rescue device allows for rapid removal of downed firefighters. The strap is accessed through a flap found along the rear top of collar on structural firefighting coats. It is designed for dragging incapacitated firefighters and not rated for any vertical lifting. It creates a "Figure 8" around the chest.
DUNS Number
The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is a unique nine-character identification number required for all federal grant recipients. DUNS numbers are provided by the commercial company Dun & Bradstreet. The federal government uses the DUNS number to identify related organizations receiving funding from grants and cooperative agreements and to provide consistent name and address data for electronic grant applications.
Duplication of Benefits
Assistance provided from different sources for the same specific need.
Dwelling
A building designed for use as a residence for no more than 4 families or a single-family unit in building under a condominium form of ownership.
Dwelling Form
See Standard Flood Insurance Policy (SFIP)--Dwelling Form.