Natural Disaster Action Plan

Natural Disasters

Avalanches
Blizzards
Earthquakes
Extreme Heat
Floods
Hurricanes
Landslides
Tornadoes
Tsunamis
Volcanoes
Wildland Fires

Building a Disaster Resistant Community

The information discussed on this page has been retrieved from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Project Impact.

"Each day, natural disasters destroy our communities and affect the lives of our families, neighbors and friends. While we can't stop natural hazards, we can change the way America deals with disasters. Reducing the effects of natural disasters makes economic sense, and it is good public policy because it protects our citizens and our future. The collaboration, preparation and prevention found in Project Impact should be the way in which our nation, our states and our communities conduct their day-to-day business."
James L. Witt, Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency

Goals and Objectives

Goals

Project Impact: Building a Disaster Resistant Community is an initiative that challenges the nation to undertake actions that protect families, businesses and communities by reducing the effects of natural disasters.

Build Community Partnerships
Assess Risks
Prioritize Needs
Build Support and Communication

Objectives

Identify a person with entrepreneurial spirit and capabilities to oversee Project Impact.
Form a Disaster Resistant Community Planning Committee.
Recruit potential partners for the Committee.
Identify hazards and vulnerability.
Establish subgroups to tackle identified issues.
Identify significant buildings by use, type, date of construction, location & ownership.
Identify utilities and transportation systems.
Estimate the potential for damage and loss of function due to different levels of natural hazards.
Set loss-reduction priorities and land-use policies for emergency and recovery planning.
Plan for open space acquisition of high hazard potential areas.
Provide incentives to building owners to encourage investment in projects that reduce disaster losses.
Develop incentives to encourage owners of buildings and facilities to undertake projects that will improve the performance of their structures when subjected to the forces of natural hazards.
Identify and seek legislation needed to provide incentives.
Form a publicity subgroup.
Create a timeline for media outreach in reaction to actions carried out.
Recruit media outlets as partners and sponsors.
Develop a Speakers Bureau.
Create a Mitigation Checklist from Project Impact Materials.

Recommendations for Action Planning

Individuals

Conduct a neighborhood meeting to identify vulnerability in your area
Install storm shutters, remove dead brush and grass from your property, install smoke detector and residential fire sprinkler systems, raise or floodproof your heating, ventilating and air conditioning units and encourage and help neighbors to do the same.
Purchase floor insurance to cover your home and its contents.

Business People

Comply with building, fire and other codes.
Share information with fellow business people about what you've done to protect your business.
Collaborate and coordinate efforts with nearby business.
Support your local government's initiatives for disaster resistance.
Encourage and support employees' efforts to participate in disaster resistant community activities.
Purchase flood insurance to cover your business and its contents.

Civic and Volunteers Organizations

Take steps to integrate and streamline disaster relief and recovery activities.
Host public education forums on the importance of prevention.
Foster a dialogue with local government and the private sector.
Adopt a community and help them protect their homes.

Government Officials

Review policies regarding the construction and maintenance of critical utilities and systems.
Ensure that regulations and codes are enforced and seek new measures to fill any gaps.
Invest in the prevention of damage to public infrastructure.
Host public education forums, soliciting the participation of the local government and Project Impact business partners.
Encourage similar activities among all arms of local, regional and state governments.

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