What is hazard mitigation?
Hazard mitigation, as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to life and property from a natural or human-caused hazard.
How can the State Mitigation Group assist communities?
The Mitigation Group’s goal is to assist communities in reducing the risk of future disaster damage and providing financial support to implement cost-effective mitigation measures. The Mitigation Group does this by:
- Providing financial support through pre- and post-disaster mitigation grant programs;
- Increasing public awareness and understanding of hazard mitigation through various training workshops, newsletters and brochures; and
- Coordinating and assisting state, local and tribal governments in developing multi-hazard mitigation plans to ensure eligibility for certain types of disaster assistance programs.
Is hazard mitigation proven to work?
In 2005, the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council published a study which found that every $1 invested into mitigation projects saves society approximately $4. The Congressional Budget Office also found that for every $1 of investment in mitigation yields $3 in savings in a September 2007 study.
What are the benefits of hazard mitigation planning?
Hazard mitigation planning:
- Increases public awareness and understanding of vulnerabilities as well as support for specific actions to reduce losses from future natural disasters;
- Builds partnerships with diverse stakeholders increasing opportunities to leverage data and resources in reducing workloads as well as achieving shared community objectives;
- Expands understanding of potential risk reduction measures to include structural and regulatory tools, where available, such as ordinances and building codes; and
- Informs development, prioritization, and implementation of mitigation projects. Benefits accrue over the life of the project as losses are avoided from each subsequent hazard event.
Other than your website, where can I find information regarding hazard mitigation grant programs?
Detailed grant program information and guidance can be found on FEMA’s web site at www.fema.gov/government/
grant/hma/index.shtm. Also, you may contact the Mitigation Grants Program Manager at (602) 464-6349.
Do I live in a floodplain?
The source for a flood zone determination is done at the local level. To find information you may want to visit websites such as www.floodsmart.gov, www.fema.gov, or www.flood.org.
How can I be included in the mailing list for the hazard mitigation newsletter?
If you would like to receive our newsletter, please contact the Hazard Mitigation Admin at (602) 464-6539.
