Femas National Mitigation Strategy

In response to the unacceptable loss of life and property from recent natural disasters, and the awesome prospect of even greater, catastrophic loss in the future, the National Mitigation Strategy (NMS) was developed to provide a conceptual framework to reduce these losses. Hazard mitigation involves recognizing and adapting to natural forces and is defined as any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to human life and property. Contents: why a NMS? designing the strategy; basic principles and goals of the NMS; major elements and strategic objectives of the NMS; mitigation action plan. Tables.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Mitigation Strategy presents 'A Vision for Safer Communities in the Future, ' looking toward the year 2010 as a time when 'All new structures, including critical facilities and infrastructure, will be built to national multi-hazard standards incorporated into building codes that have been adopted and enforced by municipalities, counties, and States.' The Strategy not only articulates FEMA's mitigation vision and goals, but defines strategic objectives for reaching those goals. In the area of applied research and technology transfer, FEMA and its partners are directed to 'evaluate state of the art technologies for the dissemination of research results to the user community.' A companion objective in the area of public awareness, training and education requires 'an assessment of the most effective use of information technologies such as the Internet and other media to disseminate information on natural hazards and mitigation. . . .' This paper is the outgrowth of a search for effective ways of meeting those objectives. This paper explores the feasiblity of encouraging practicing architects and engineers to incorporate research findings in the design of new structures by providing training on-demand, in the form of Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS), via the Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Mitigation Strategy presents 'A Vision for Safer Communities in the Future, ' looking toward the year 2010 as a time when 'All new structures, including critical facilities and infrastructure, will be built to national multi-hazard standards incorporated into building codes that have been adopted and enforced by municipalities, counties, and States.' The Strategy not only articulates FEMA's mitigation vision and goals, but defines strategic objectives for reaching those goals. In the area of applied research and technology transfer, FEMA and its partners are directed to 'evaluate state of the art technologies for the dissemination of research results to the user community.' A companion objective in the area of public awareness, training and education requires 'an assessment of the most effective use of information technologies such as the Internet and other media to disseminate information on natural hazards and mitigation. . . .' This paper is the outgrowth of a search for effective ways of meeting those objectives. This paper explores the feasiblity of encouraging practicing architects and engineers to incorporate research findings in the design of new structures by providing training on-demand, in the form of Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS), via the Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW).

FEMA has developed a national approach to mitigating human & economic loss caused by disasters. This report summarizes research to clarify & document previous efforts to identify natural & technological hazards, & to assess associated risks. For specific natural & technological hazards, the report summarizes the state of scientific & technical knowledge on identification & the risks that have been or can be assigned to each hazard. FEMA's risk assessment methodology, Hazards U.S., is introduced. Also summarizes the National Mitigation Strategy & highlights from recent successes in each of the 5 major elements of the Strategy.

This report discusses Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), as federal law and a program activity, which began in 1997. Congress established a pilot program -- Project Impact -- to test the concept of investing prior to disasters to reduce the vulnerability of communities to future disasters. From its beginnings as ¿Project Impact¿ to its current state, the PDM program has grown in its level of appropriated resources and the scope of participation nationwide. Along with that growth have come issues for Congressional consideration, including the approach for awarding grant funds, the eligibility of certain applicants, the eligibility of certain projects, the degree of commitment by state and local governments, and related questions. Illustrations.

Part I of the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Unified Guidance introduces the three HMA programs and outlines the organization of the document. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) HMA programs present a critical opportunity to reduce the risk to individuals and property from natural hazards while simultaneously reducing reliance on Federal disaster funds. On March 30, 2011, the President signed Presidential Policy Directive 8: National Preparedness (PPD-8), and the National Mitigation Framework was finalized in May 2013. The National Mitigation Framework comprises seven core capabilities, including Threats and Hazard Identification, Risk and Disaster Resilience Assessment, Planning, Community Resilience, Public Information and Warning, Long-term Vulnerability Reduction, and Operational Coordination. HMA programs provide funding for eligible activities that are consistent with the National Mitigation Framework's Long-term Vulnerability Reduction capability. HMA programs reduce community vulnerability to disasters and their effects, promote individual and community safety and resilience, and promote community vitality after an incident. Furthermore, HMA programs reduce response and recovery resource requirements in the wake of a disaster or incident, which results in a safer community that is less reliant on external financial assistance. Hazard mitigation is any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards and their effects. This definition distinguishes actions that have a long-term impact from those that are more closely associated with immediate preparedness, response, and recovery activities. Hazard mitigation is the only phase of emergency management specifically dedicated to breaking the cycle of damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Accordingly, States, Territories, Indian Tribal governments, and communities are encouraged to take advantage of funding that HMA programs provide in both the pre- and post-disaster timelines. Together, these programs provide significant opportunities to reduce or eliminate potential losses to State, Indian Tribal government, and local assets through hazard mitigation planning and project grant funding. Each HMA program was authorized by separate legislative action, and as such, each program differs slightly in scope and intent.

"[The report reviews] FEMA's activities in response to Hurricane Katrina, which details FEMA's responsibilities for three of the four major phases of disaster management - preparedness, response, and recovery - during the first five weeks of the federal response. In addition, [the contributors] evaluated FEMA's preparedness and readiness efforts over the past ten years to determine its organizational capability and posture prior to Hurricane Katrina"--Executive summary.