Time To Think About Future Disaster Remedies, Officials Say
Release Date: December 13, 2004
Release Number: 1539-312
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- With billions in disaster aid approved from the 2004 hurricane season—and with the deadline for applying for individual assistance set for Dec. 31 - state and federal disaster workers are turning more attention to identify ways to reduce or eliminate the effects of future disaster events on life, safety and environment.
Termed “mitigation” by the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the objective is to make the state more disaster resistant.
State Coordinating Officer Craig Fugate of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), said all municipal and county hazard mitigation personnel have been alerted to begin identifying and documenting proposed projects to make their communities stronger and safer.
Projects eligible for funding under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) include, but are not limited to:
- Acquisition of hazard prone properties
- Retrofitting of existing buildings and facilities
- Elevation of flood prone structures
- Infrastructure protection measures
- Storm water management improvements
- Relocation of structures from hazard prone areas
- Retrofitting of existing buildings and facilities for shelters.
FEMA contributes 7.5 percent of the total federal disaster expenditures under the Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA) programs toward HMGP. Cost of approved projects is shared with FEMA paying 75 percent. Grant applicants provide the remaining 25 percent non-federal share. Credit for in-kind work related to project costs performed by local governments may be approved with accepted justification.
In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may make loan-funding programs available to finance mitigation measures.
Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) committees review and submit a prioritized list of projects to the state for funding approval. After FEMA approval, the state initiates and administers all HMGP programs.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Monday, 13-Dec-2004 15:13:37