This lesson explains how the results of the risk assessment are used as a basis for a community hazard mitigation strategy. The lesson also covers what should be included in the hazard mitigation plan so that it meets not only the community’s needs, but also the FEMA criteria for approval under 44 CFR Part 201.6.

Objectives: At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Describe a strategy for implementing and maintaining the community hazard mitigation plan.
• Describe the process for developing the community hazard mitigation plan.
• Describe four types of hazard mitigation actions that may be included in the strategy.

This lesson should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Click this link to access a printable version of this lesson.

The following steps outline a process for developing the community hazard mitigation plan, consistent with the FEMA hazard mitigation planning guide “Local Mitigation Planning Handbook.”

• Step 1: Establish mitigation goals.
• Step 2: Identify and prioritize mitigation actions.
• Step 3: Prepare the implementation strategy.
• Step 4: Document the planning process.

Click on this link to access the Local Mitigation Planning Handbook: (https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/fema-local-mitigation-plan-review-guide_09_30_2011.pdf)

Once complete it is important to compile the results of the entire risk assessment into a written report. The report can be presented to citizens and elected officials. The State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO) also will want the results to compare with, or incorporate into, the Statewide risk assessment. The results of the risk assessment will draw attention from a wide range of local sectors, presenting a great opportunity to use the results to galvanize the community’s interest in hazard mitigation and in the hazard mitigation planning process.

Click this link to access a larger view of the sample page from a risk assessment report.

Based on the risk assessment results, the hazard mitigation planning team can set mitigation goals, refine them, and begin work on the hazard mitigation strategy.

A hazard mitigation strategy provides direction for the community's efforts to reduce the potential losses identified in the risk assessment. The strategy should be based on existing policies, programs, and resources in the local community. The approach should be flexible enough to be expanded, reduced, or improved if existing conditions change.

The mitigation strategy consists of three components:

• Mitigation goals: General guidelines that explain what the community wants to achieve with the plan
• Mitigation actions: Specific projects and activities that help achieve the goals
• Action plan: How the mitigation actions will be implemented (prioritization, administration, and incorporation into a community)

Note that FEMA's hazard mitigation plan review criteria require each community participating in a multi-jurisdictional planning effort to identify the specific actions they will undertake.

Here are the steps in the hazard mitigation planning process.

• Step 1: Establish mitigation goals.
• Step 2: Identify and prioritize mitigation actions.
• Step 3: Prepare the implementation strategy.
• Step 4: Document the planning process.

Click on each step to learn more.

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Step 1: Establish mitigation goals.

First review and analyze the results of the Risk Assessment’s Hazards Profiles and, if completed, the Loss Estimation. Reviewing these findings will help clarify problems, issues, and opportunities for hazard mitigation. Develop a list of problem statements that explain what the community wants to achieve with the plan.

Step 2: Identify and prioritize mitigation actions.

Hazard mitigation strategies to reduce specific risks can vary from very simple to complex. They are comprised of one or more hazard mitigation actions that help achieve goals. There are so many different hazard mitigation actions that they are often classified into four types:

• Local plans and regulations
• Structure and infrastructure projects
• Natural systems protection
• Education and awareness programs

Step 3: Prepare the implementation strategy.

There will be a variety of hazard mitigation actions in the hazard mitigation strategy, and multiple ways to implement them.

• Evaluate alternative hazard mitigation actions to determine the best course of action.
• Identify who will implement the hazard mitigation actions - Some actions will be carried out by the public sector, and some through the private sector.
• Identify sources of funding and technical assistance - Some actions will be accomplished pre-disaster and some will not be feasible until after a disaster when post-disaster funding sources are available.
• Identify when actions should be completed - Some actions will be accomplished in the short term and others will require up to years to accomplish.

The implementation strategy is an essential part of the hazard mitigation plan. The implementation strategy identifies who is responsible for which actions, how the hazard mitigation actions will be funded, and when the actions are to be completed.

Step 4: Document the planning process.

Initiation and Development

• Make Decisions About the Document - There are some decisions to make before putting the plan document together: How long should the plan be? How detailed? What is the schedule? Who should write it?
• Write the Plan - Writing the hazard mitigation plan involves assembling information and write-ups from previous phases of the hazard mitigation planning process.

Implementation and Monitoring

• Adopt the plan
• Implement the plan recommendations
• Evaluate planning results
• Revise the plan

When the hazard mitigation plan is complete, it is time to gain the community's support for implementing the mitigation strategy it describes. If the plan is never carried out, the risk to the community has not been reduced.

Adopt the Plan

When the plan is adopted by the governing body the authority of the plan to guide hazard mitigation initiatives in the community is achieved. Though it is not required, communities are encouraged to obtain a notice from FEMA that the plan is approvable pending adoption (APA), in order to avoid repeated attempts to adopt the plan prior to FEMA approval. Adoption demonstrates the community’s commitment to fulfilling the mitigation goals and objectives outlined in the plan. It legitimizes the plan and authorizes responsible agencies to execute their responsibilities.

Implement the Plan Recommendations

Citizens and officials, particularly those who participated in creating the plan, will expect to see the results of their hard work. The planning team may have the responsibility to ensure that the plan recommendations are implemented on schedule and, over time, that mitigation actions are incorporated into the day-to-day operations of government agencies.

This was the purpose of developing the implementation strategy and timeline in Step 3 of Building the Plan. It should include a process for monitoring and documenting the progress of implementing the plan’s recommendations.

Evaluate Planning Results

It is important to determine whether the planned course of action has had the desired effect. The organizations or people with duties identified in the mitigation strategy should be asked to submit progress reports on a periodic basis.

If indicators of success are established (such as milestones met, budget, or simply moving forward) it simplifies the process of keeping the community informed about the progress and success of the hazard mitigation program.

Revise the Plan

The frequency of plan evaluation depends upon the speed and intensity at which changes are occurring in the community, but updating the mitigation plan is required within a 5-year cycle. Significant community growth and recent or frequent disaster events may render the risk assessment inaccurate or necessitate a revised hazard mitigation strategy.

The revised plan may again need to be reviewed for its validity, adopted by the governing body, and any new initiatives implemented.

This lesson presented the following topics:

• Hazard Mitigation Strategy
• Mitigation Planning Process
• Implementing and Maintaining a Hazard Mitigation Plan