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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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April
2004
Volume 6
- Number 3 |
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The Role of Mitigation in the Department of Homeland Security By, Jacklyn Blecker According
to the Stafford Act (44 CFR 206; 401) “Hazard Mitigation means any
action taken
to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property
from
natural hazards.” Through actions such
as sound land use planning and landscape design, adoption of building
codes,
property acquisition and relocation outside of floodplains, mitigation
activities can protect critical community facilities to assure
functionality following
an event, reduce exposure to liabilities, and minimize disruptions to
the
community. In other words, to mitigate
means to make change to the current environment in order to decrease
risk and
exposure to potential natural and man-made disasters. Thereby,
mitigation reduces post-disaster
expenditures across all levels of government and property owners. In
March 2003 the Department of Homeland of Security (DHS) was established
to
consolidate all of the government agencies focusing on securing the
homeland in
order to create a single point of contact instead of many.
Specifically, the new Department of Homeland
Security will have three primary missions: 1) Prevent terrorist attacks
within
the United States, 2) Reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism and
3)
Minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters. Listed
as one of its core mission statements, I believe that DHS is focused on
mitigation and has initiated several “new”
mitigation activities since the public announcement
of the
Department of Homeland Security one year ago.
I believe however that the results from these initiatives
will not be
realized immediately because of the long-term nature of mitigation. It normally takes days, months and most often
years for one to fully recognize the results and benefits of mitigating. Therefore, mitigation would fit among a
strategic strategy along with, investments in R&D, new
technologies,
capabilities and initiatives that are required to change the existing
paradigm. In contrast to this strategy,
another view more often seen within the Department of Homeland Security
is the
one of a more near-term tactical strategy, which can make meaningful
improvements in the existing paradigm in the short term.
In
addition to the “new” activity, I believe it is important to highlight
the
progress that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made
regarding
mitigation. FEMA currently has three
mitigation grant programs: the Hazards Mitigation Grant Program (HGMP),
the
Pre-Disaster Mitigation program (PDM), and the Flood Mitigation
Assistance
(FMA) program. The Hazard Mitigation
Grant Program (HGMP) provides grants to States and local governments to
implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster
declaration. Flood Mitigation Assistance
(FMA) Program provides funding to assist States and communities in
implementing
measures to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to
buildings, manufactured homes, and other structures insurable under the
National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Finally,
the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program, which provides financial
assistance to
States and local governments for cost-effective pre-disaster hazard
mitigation
activities that, complement a comprehensive mitigation program, and
reduce
injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property. In
summation, I think that the Department does recognize the need to
mitigate and
the value associated with long-term risk reduction.
Overtime, I do believe that we will begin to
see more mitigation initiatives as well as other strategic long-term
strategies
to reduce risk overtime both recognized and initiated.
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