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February 2004                                                              Volume 6 - Number 1

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Mitigation...

Update on Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants from FEMA

By Bob Mellinger

The Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program was authorized by section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) to assist States and communities to implement a sustained pre-disaster natural hazard mitigation program to reduce overall risk to the population and structures, while also reducing reliance on funding from actual disaster declarations. This program provides an opportunity to raise risk awareness and to reduce the Nation's disaster losses through pre-disaster mitigation planning, and the implementation of planned, pre-identified, cost effective mitigation measures that are designed to reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property from all hazards, including damage to critical facilities. (Source: Federal Register: July 7, 2003 - Volume 68, Number 129)

After November 1, 2003, FEMA-approved local mitigation plans are required in order to receive grants for local mitigation project grants. After November 1, 2004, a FEMA-approved Standard State mitigation plan will also be needed as a condition of receiving project grants for State and local mitigation activities. A Standard State Mitigation Plan also will be required for non-emergency assistance provided under the Stafford Act, including funds for the restoration of damaged facilities and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding. The development of State and local multi-hazard mitigation plans is key to maintaining eligibility for future FEMA funding. (Source: Federal Register: July 7, 2003 - Volume 68, Number 129)

Multi-hazard mitigation planning may include hazards caused by non-natural events but must be focused primarily on natural hazards. PDM funds can be used to develop multi-jurisdictional plans, if adopted by all participating jurisdictions. Since many issues are better resolved by evaluating hazards in a more comprehensive fashion, risk assessments in support of mitigation planning is also eligible. (Source: FireChief.com - News & Trends, Jul 9 2003)

In May 2003, Pre-Disaster Mitigation program grants of $248,375 each were made to Alabama, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Washington.

In July 2003, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Puerto Rico, Wyoming, Virginia and the U.S. Virgin Islands also received PDM grants in the amount of $248,375 each.

As of this writing, no Pre-Disaster Mitigation grants have been made in the 2004 fiscal year.

In the December 31, 2003 Federal Register, FEMA gave notice of the availability of Pre-Disaster Mitigation Disaster Resistant University (DRU) grants. FEMA intends to provide these funds to assist universities, through State and local governments, to implement a sustained pre-disaster natural hazard mitigation program to reduce overall risk to facilities, research assets, students and faculty.

These funds will be competitively awarded with a National priority of ensuring that program funds benefit a representative range of universities, based on hazard type, size, geography, and academic community served, which includes consideration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities. Funds are available for hazard mitigation project and planning activities at universities that have demonstrated commitment to such activities through prior DRU efforts, and for planning and project activities for universities that have not undertaken DRU activities. Applications are due on March 1, 2004. (Federal Register: December 31, 2003 - Volume 68, Number 250)