Printable PDF version of the Executive summary available for download here.
Printable PDF version of the Executive summary available for download here.
San Bernardino County and a partnership of local governments will develop an update to their individual Hazard Mitigation Plans to reduce future losses resulting from disasters. Hazard mitigation is the use of long- and short-term strategies to reduce the loss of life, personal injury, and property damage that can result from a disaster. It involves planning efforts, policy changes, programs, capital projects, and other activities that can mitigate the impacts of hazards.
The passage of DMA 2000 requires proactive pre-disaster planning as a condition of receiving certain financial assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Act. DMA 2000 encourages state and local authorities to work together on pre-disaster planning, and it promotes “sustainable hazard mitigation,” which includes the sound management of natural resources, local economic and social resiliency, and the recognition that hazards and mitigation must be understood in the largest possible social and economic context. The enhanced planning network called for by the DMA helps local governments accurately assess mitigation needs, resulting in faster allocation of funding and more cost-effective risk reduction projects.
As a DMA 2000 requirement, the LMP must be updated every five (5) years to remain in compliance with regulations and Federal mitigation grant conditions. Federal regulations require hazard mitigation plans to include a plan for monitoring, evaluating, and updating the hazard mitigation plan. An update provides an opportunity to reevaluate recommendations, monitor the impacts of actions that have been accomplished, and determine if there is a need to change the focus of mitigation strategies. DMA compliance is contingent on meeting the plan update requirement. A jurisdiction covered by a plan that has expired is not able to pursue funding under the Robert T. Stafford Act for which a current hazard mitigation plan is a prerequisite.
San Bernardino County Fire OES received funds from FY15 HSGP to contract with Dynamic Planning + Science to assist local jurisdictions with planning process documentation, plan content, risk assessment data and DMA 2000 compliance reviews for jurisdictions wishing to receive assistance. The consultants will provide participating local jurisdictions with content, tools, and QA/QC for individual plan updates. This planning effort represents the collective efforts of the county and participating jurisdictions, the general public, and other stakeholders.
The purpose of mitigation planning is to identify local policies and actions that can be implemented over the long term to reduce risk and future losses from hazards. These mitigation policies and actions are identified based on an assessment of hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks and the participation of a wide range of stakeholders and the public in the planning process. Benefits of mitigation planning include:
There are nine recommended tasks for developing or updating a local hazard mitigation plan, which are included in the FEMA Local Mitigation Planning Handbook (March 2013). Each jurisdiction may decide to use a completely different organization in the plan, or complete the FEMA tasks in a different order, as long as the plan meets FEMA’s basic requirements. Some tasks can be completed concurrently, while others depend on completing preceding tasks first.
For purposes of this planning process the FEMA tasks are narrowed and presented in 7 Phases. A compilation of worksheets and tools will be developed to help communities complete each phase.
The phased planning process has developed to ensure strict compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations 44 CFR 201.6, and DMA 2000. With guidance from County Fire’s consultant website and tools, it will relatively easy for each jurisdiction to follow the required process outlined by a FEMA, Cal OES, American Planning Association, and other best practices.