EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMUNITY

The growth of importance of hazard mitigation in the emergency management community

The growth of importance of hazard mitigation in the emergency management community

Introduction

Preparedness for global warming and climate change requires multilevel planning, at the international, national, local, and individual levels to deal with the direct effects of climate changes in temperature, precipitation, wind, storm patterns, sea level, as well as the indirect strain on world resources leading to migration, famine, and conflicts.(Wisner, 2004)

While mitigation strategies like reducing greenhouse gas emissions are a start, they do not take precedence over readiness to respond to natural disaster emergencies associated with the impact of climate change (intense storms, flooding, wildfires, public health, or the necessity to deal with future environmental pressures, the decreasing longevity of infrastructure with roads, bridges, waterworks, buildings, and facilities requiring earlier replacement, repair or modifications to remain safe for use. Adaptive measures in the form of physiological, social, and cultural measures will allow people to live throughout the world.

Assessment of Impact

In order to prepare for climate change, assessments must be completed and available for decision-making processes. On the international level, the International Governmental Panel on Climate Change encourages collaboration among scientists, allied professionals, and policymakers, providing a forum for the collection of research material and posing questions to spur planning. The take-away message is evaluation to determine global policy toward a common goal while addressing implications and increasing cooperation between governments.

On the national and local levels, any assessment of the extent of impact climate changes (higher temperatures, rising sea levels, changing weather patterns will have on human health, ecosystem diversity and productivity, agricultural production, water supply, sanitation, infrastructure) must factor in the associated costs and benefits in developing sustainabil-ity plans, preparation for emergency situations, and adaptive measures.(Wisner, 2004)

Each area is different, with varying susceptibilities, policies, institutions, and social/cultural structures. National and local assessments to be most effective must evaluate the capacity to handle emergency measures associated with natural disasters and identifying susceptible areas of the environment and resources including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, fauna, human health, water supply and sanitation, infrastructure and construction, land use in hazard-prone areas (flood plain, islands), and disaster management.Following a Presidential disaster affirmation, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides funding to the State for projects to decrease damages, losses and suffering in future disasters.  The intent of HMGP is to supply a government, state and localized partnership in evolving and funding mitigation projects.

Eligible applicants for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program encompass localized governments, state agencies and certain nonprofit organizations. These funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) represent up to 75% of the costs of mitigation projects, such as:

Voluntary Acquisition/Demolition or Elevations of flood-prone structures to conversion to open space in perpetuity

Voluntary Acquisition/Demolition of landslide-prone structures to conversion to open space in perpetuity

Infrastructure Protection Measures against windstorms or earthquakes

Dry Flood proofing of financial house

Minor Structural Flood Control Projects

Tornado Safe Rooms and Community Shelters

Utility Protection Measures

The residual 25% must arrive from non-federal ...