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Hazard Mitigation Tools and Techniques
from TEST BANK for Hazard Mitigation and Preparedness. Introductory Emergency Management by Sandler
by ACADEMIAMILL
Chapter 12 Answer Key
FEMA recommends that, at a minimum, the stakeholders that must be included in the planning process are neighboring communities, local and regional agencies involved in hazard mitigation activities, and agencies that have the authority to regulate development, as well as businesses, academia, and other private and nonprofit interests. Moreover, FEMA recommends soliciting participation from local cultural institutions and elected officials and planning commission members.
In addition to these key stakeholder groups, the general public must also be given an opportunity to be involved in the planning process. Beyond simply keeping citizens abreast of how the mitigation plan is developing, community members, though not necessarily technical experts, can help shape the content of the plan itself, identifying assets and problem areas, narrating threat and hazard history, and prioritizing proposed mitigation alternatives.
Promoting public participation not only ensures that the mitigation plan represents the goals and priorities of the community, but also increases buy-in from stakeholders whose support will help implement the plan. FEMA requires that the public be invited to participate in the process when the plan is in draft stages and prior to plan approval. Public meetings, workshops, informational presentations, websites, resident mailings, and other forms of communication are often effective ways to solicit citizen participation.
While actual methods of outreach will vary from community to community, many tactics are common across the US. For example, presentations to governing bodies like a board of commissioners can help secure participation from those key stakeholders. Meetings (also called ―charrettes‖) where the mitigation plan is discussed are often advertised through the news media, social media, municipal website, or at community events such as fairs or sporting events. Jurisdictions can also host informal roundtables and forums at strategic locations to solicit public participation.
