2 D I SAS T E R R ECOVE RY TODAY.COM The Hazard Mitigation Plan To access mitigation grant funding, a community needs to have an approved Hazard Mitigation Plan. The planning process is as important as the plan itself. It creates a framework for risk-based assessments and actions which can reduce loss of life, property and economic damages resulting from future disasters. The plan is the jurisdiction’s blueprint for reducing potential losses identified in a comprehensive risk assessment of facilities — and of existing policies, programs and resources. The process can be enhanced by the community’s ability to use and expand on existing tools (e.g., enhanced zoning, land use regulations and building codes). The process by which the plan is developed will determine its overall effectiveness. To ensure a more comprehensive approach, the planning process should: • Provide opportunities for public comment during the drafting stage; • Engage neighboring communities in planning activities; and • Review and incorporate all available studies, plans and technical data. Important Elements in Developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan Risk Assessment A thorough risk assessment will provide critical information that will enable a jurisdiction to identify and prioritize appropriate mitigation actions which can reduce losses from identified hazards. Profiling Hazards It is necessary to document the locations and potential impact from all the natural The objective of mitigation is unlike other disciplines in the disaster cycle. Mitigation looks at long-term solutions to reduce risk, as opposed to preparing for or responding to hazards. The best opportunity for mitigation is usually during the recovery phase of an incident —meaning that mitigation must be part of your thought process during all phases of the incident. In recent years, the federal government has invested significant funding in mitigation activities that occur before an incident occurs. It is our goal to present mitigation best practices which can be utilized at a community level to lessen the impact of future disasters and demonstrate that investments made in mitigation measures are an affordable, effective and prudent use of public funds. These grants can create opportunities for safer, more resilient communities when disasters do occur.
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