Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration
(FIMA)
by John F. Smith
In August of 2001, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director
Joseph Allbaugh merged the Federal Insurance Administration and Mitigation
Directorate into the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA)
in an attempt to combine the major components of emergency management.
Described as the “cornerstone” of emergency management, FIMA is responsible
for the nation’s natural hazards reduction programs. Anthony Lowe
was confirmed by the Senate in October, 2002 as the new Administrator of
FIMA.
Through active public relations, education, and public forums, FIMA
works to not only plan for disasters (natural, man-made, terrorism-related)
before they occur, but educate States and local communities on what they
can do to plan for disasters. FIMA provides the public and public
officials with training manuals and videos on the mitigation of natural
hazards and has recently announced that applications for the 2003/2004
Community Planning Fellowships are now available (www.fema.gov/fima/planning11.shtm).
FEMA’s all-hazards approach to mitigation has increased FIMA’s focus
on mitigation for terrorism sponsored events, as well as continuing its
focus on all natural hazards. A self-described “new approach to environmental,
economic and social policy”, FEMA’s focus on enhancing the sustainability
of communities is geared to sustain the viability and livability of communities
through appropriate planning and mitigation, all actions led by FIMA.
In support of its community education, FIMA has prepared several documents,
including, “Planning for a Sustainable Future: The Link Between Hazard
Mitigation and Livability.”
Some facts about FIMA’s national programs:
· National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
o As of July 31, 2002, the NFIP recorded 4.37 Million Flood
insurance policies in force. The top five states representing these
policies were Florida (1.8M), Texas (443,000), Louisiana (365,000), California
(288,000), and New Jersey (181,000).
· Flood Mitigation Assistance Program
o Funded at $20 annually, the FMAP works to decrease the potential
damage to properties insurable under the NFIP by elevating or relocating
properties, or acquiring properties for rezoning.
· National Dam Safety Program
o As the ages of dams increase and the number of qualified
dam safety engineers fall (through retirement), the integrity and safety
of the nation’s dams is of critical concern.
o 1999 was the first full year of funding, and in FY 2000 -2001, over
$8M was provided to the states and Puerto Rico under this program.
· National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP)
o NEHRP worked with the Los Angeles Unified School District
to repair and retrofit suspended lighting systems and ceilings in all of
their schools. The LAUSD experienced total damage of $134M - $3.1M
for lighting systems actually damaged in the earthquake. Under the
NEHRP, $45M was provided for the retrofitting and bracing of lighting systems
and ceilings not otherwise damaged.
· Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
o The HMGP provides federal mitigation funding after a presidentially
declared disaster, and provides detailed instructional and educational
information to homeowners, States, and communities on mitigating the potential
damage from disasters.
· National Hurricane Program (NHP)
o The NHP Tornado Safe Rooms, through joint-ventures with research
institutions, has proven successful in mitigating the loss of life during
tornados and hurricanes by creating a wind and damage resistant room in
one’s house or office.
For additional information, please see the following links:
General Administration Overview: www.fema.gov/fima
Additional FIMA Success Stories: www.fema.gov/fima/success.shtm
Planning Resources: www.fema.gov/fima/whyplan.shtm
Anti-Terrorism Mitigation Resources: www.fema.gov/fima/antiterrorism/resources.shtm
Anti-Terrorism Related Links: www.fema.gov/fima/antiterrorism/links.shtm
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