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Hazard Mitigation Planning

The intent of hazard mitigation planning is to identify risks and vulnerabilities associated with disasters and long-term strategies to reduce or eliminate impacts from future hazard events.

Mitigation plans can help communities become more sustainable and resilient by focusing efforts on the hazards and disaster-prone areas and identifying appropriate mitigation actions. Effective mitigation planning assists in minimizing post-disaster downtime, accelerating recovery time, and reducing disaster response and recovery costs.

Many mitigation actions are implemented through cost-share projects funded by federal grant programs, including Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), HMGP Post Fire, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant. Please visit DEMA's Mitigation Office website for more information on the grants and how to apply.

The 2023 Arizona State Hazard Mitigation (SHMP) represents the state’s primary hazard mitigation guidance document. It is composed of comprehensive and valuable input provided by State Hazard Mitigation Team members and stakeholders. The 2023 SHMP continues to build upon the state’s commitment to reduce or eliminate potential risks and impacts of natural and human-caused disasters to help communities with their mitigation and disaster resiliency efforts. The 2023 plan includes an updated statewide risk assessment, disaster history, and statistics; recent mitigation progress, success stories, and best practices; and updated state hazard mitigation goals and objectives. FEMA approved Arizona’s 2023 SHMP on October 18, 2023.

The DEMA Hazard Mitigation Planning Program assists local, county, and tribal governments in developing Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMP) and Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plans (THMP) and provides technical assistance, training, and outreach. The team reviews all plans in accordance with DMA 2000 regulations and coordinates with local jurisdictions to ensure compliance with FEMA’s Local Mitigation Plan Review Guide, dated April 2023. Once the DEMA Hazard Mitigation planning staff finds the LHMP and THMP to be “approvable,” the plan is forwarded to FEMA Region IX mitigation planning staff for final review and approval.

For questions or assistance with your LHMP or THMP, please contact the DEMA Planning Team at [email protected].

Resources for Developing or Updating a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Local Mitigation Planning Handbook is one of the best documents to review as you create a hazard mitigation plan or update an existing plan. Recently updated in 2023, it provides useful ideas and approaches that aid communities in reducing vulnerabilities and long-term risk from natural hazards and disasters through planning that can be used to meet the Local Mitigation Planning Policy guidance that is effective April 19, 2023.

Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Slides

 

Local Hazard Mitigation Example Tasks

 

Risk Assessment Resources

 

Annual Assessment Resources

 

FEMA Resources

 

 

Resources for Developing or Updating a Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan

One of the best documents to review as you’re creating a hazard mitigation plan or updating an existing plan is the Tribal Mitigation Planning Handbook released in 2019.

Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Slides

 

Local Hazard Mitigation Example Tasks

 

Risk Assessment Resources

 

Annual Assessment Resources

 

FEMA Resources

Local Mitigation Planning Virtual Workshop

The next Local Mitigation Planning Virtual Workshop (K/G-318): TBA

Session Duration: 2 days

This course is focused on local mitigation planning and the responsibilities of local governmental entities and will also benefit State entities by enhancing their ability to think of hazards and hazard mitigation from a local perspective. Exact times may vary, but the training provides approximately 10.25 hours of content, not including breaks and lunch. There are eight lessons and introductory and conclusion modules. Additional content tailored for regional delivery or additional remarks and presentations by states or other partners may be included.

This course is for local officials, emergency managers, planners, and other partners involved in hazard mitigation planning. Consultants who assist in developing hazard mitigation plans may also participate.

Please visit the state’s online registration system at dematraining.az.gov or submit a request for local delivery through our DEMA Training and Exercise Event Request form.

Mitigation for Emergency Managers (G-393): April 17 & April 18, 2023

This FEMA course is required for the Advanced Professional Series (APS) program. This course is designed to train emergency managers and other interested individuals with no specialized technical background but who can support mitigation efforts as advocates. The course provides training in mitigation activities fundamental to reducing and eliminating long-term risk from hazards. It addresses the important roles of the emergency program manager (or another local government representative) in mitigation: motivator, coordinator, and monitor in local implementation of the National Mitigation Strategy.

Local and tribal government officials, emergency managers, emergency service personnel, and community leaders in such efforts as voluntary organizations, businesses, and industries.

Please visit the state’s online registration system at dematraining.az.gov or submit a request for local delivery through our DEMA Training and Exercise Event Request form.

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 amended the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), creating the framework for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to engage in hazard mitigation planning to receive certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance.  Requirements and procedures to implement hazard mitigation planning provisions may be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Stafford Act Title 44, Chapter 1, Part 201 (44 CFR Part 201).

 

Since the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 amended the Stafford Act, additional laws have been passed that help to shape hazard mitigation policy.  These revisions are included in the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act (SRIA) of 2013, the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, and the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act of 2016.

 

Website Link: FEMA HM Planning Regulations and Guidance Website

 

The following grant programs have an approved and adopted hazard mitigation plan eligibility requirement:

 

The following mitigation planning guidance documents constitute FEMA’s official policy on and interpretation of the hazard mitigation planning requirements:

 

State Mitigation Planning Policy

 

Local Mitigation Planning Policy

 

Tribal Mitigation Planning Policy