The Old Colony Planning Council is currently in the process of updating our Multi-Jurisdictional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The previous plan was approved by FEMA in 2006 and will expire this upcoming August. The multi-jurisdictional plan's mission is to identify risks and ways to minimize damage caused by natural disasters. This comprehensive resource document will serve many purposes such as enhancing public awareness, creating a decision tool for management, promoting compliance with State and Federal program requirements, enhancing local policies for hazard mitigation capability, and providing inter-jurisdictional coordination.

What is Hazard Mitigation?

The term "Hazard Mitigation" describes actions that can help reduce or eliminate long-term risks caused by natural hazards, or disaster, such as floods, hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and earthquakes. After disasters, repairs and reconstruction are often completed in such a way as to simply restore damaged property to pre-disaster conditions. These efforts may expedite a return to normalcy, but the replication of pre-disaster conditions often results in a repetitive cycle of damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Hazard mitigation is needed to break this repetitive cycle by producing less vulnerable conditions through post-disaster repairs and reconstruction. The implementation of such hazard mitigation actions now by state and local governments means building stronger, safer and smarter communities that will be able to reduce future injuries and future damage.

What is the Purpose and Need for the Plan?

Hazard mitigation plans are developed BEFORE a disaster strikes. The plans identify community policies, actions, and tools for long-term implementation to reduce risk and potential for future losses. Adopted, implemented, and maintained on an ongoing basis, these plans will lessen the impacts associated with hazard events in the Old Colony Region. As of November 1, 2004 communities that do not have a FEMA approved hazard mitigation plan in place are no longer eligible for FEMA project grant monies under programs such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, and Severe Repetitive Loss.

How does my Community Participate?

Communities located within the Old Colony region who wish to participate in the multi-jurisdictional plan must have a representative on the Multi-Hazard Multi-Jurisdictional Planning Team (MHMJPT), take part in the plan development process and formally adopt the final plan. Active participation in the process is the only way a jurisdiction can be seen in FEMA's eyes as a "participating jurisdiction" and is therefore eligible to apply for Federal funds for hazard mitigation projects. Participation includes attending meetings, providing feedback, reaching out to the public and other key stakeholders in the community, and adopting the final plan.

What Grant Opportunities are Available as a result of this Plan?

Communities that participate in the plan development process and formally adopt the plan have the opportunity to apply for a series of grants that are designed to mitigate against a variety of natural hazards. These grants are briefly described below:

• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds are available following a Presidential disaster declaration. Eligible applicants include states, local governments, American Indian tribal governments, and some private non-profit organizations. Communities may apply for HMGP assistance on behalf of affected individuals and businesses, and all funds must be used to reduce or eliminate losses from future disasters.
• Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program assists states, American Indian tribal governments and local governments with cost-effective hazard mitigation activities that complement a comprehensive mitigation program. The program provides applicants with an opportunity to raise risk awareness and reduce disaster losses, before disasters strike, through planning grants and project grants. PDM grants are awarded nationally on a competitive basis.
• Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program provides funding to states and communities for measures that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to buildings, manufactured homes and other structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The program provides grants for mitigation planning and projects with a goal of reducing NFIP claims.
• Repetitive Loss Claims (RFC) grant program provides funding to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that have had one or more claim payment(s) for flood damages. RFC funds may be used only to mitigate structures that are located within a state or community that cannot meet the requirements of the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. Eligible applicants include state emergency management offices or a similar office.

For more information on the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program, or any questions or comments you may have, feel free to contact Eric Arbeene at 508-583-1833 or send an email.