Hazard Mitigation Assistance Unified Guidance

FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs provide funding for eligible mitigation activities that reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damages. Currently, FEMA administers the following HMA grant programs: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) HMGP assists in implementing long-term hazard mitigation measures following Presidential disaster declarations. Funding is available to implement projects in accordance with State, Tribal, and local priorities. Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) PDM provides funds on an annual basis for hazard mitigation planning and the implementation of mitigation projects prior to a disaster. The goal of the PDM program is to reduce overall risk to the population and structures, while at the same time, also reducing reliance on Federal funding from actual disaster declarations. Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) FMA provides funds on an annual basis so that measures can be taken to reduce or eliminate risk of flood damage to buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is a powerful resource in the combined effort by Federal, State, and local government, as well as private industry and homeowners, to end the cycle of repetitive disaster damage. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act was passed on November 23, 1988, amending Public Law 93-288, the Disaster Relief Act of 1974. The Stafford Act included Section 404, which established the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. In 1993, the Hazard Mitigation and Relocation Act amended Section 404 to increase the amount of HMGP funds available and the cost-share to 75 percent Federal. This amendment also encouraged the use of property acquisition and other non-structural flood mitigation measures. In an effort to streamline HMGP delivery, FEMA encourages States to develop their mitigation programs before disaster strikes. States are adopting a more active HMGP management role. Increased capabilities may include: Conducting comprehensive all-hazard mitigation planning prior to disaster events; Providing applicants technical assistance on sound mitigation techniques and hazard mitigation policy and procedures; Coordinating mitigation programs through interagency teams or councils. Conducting benefit-cost analyses; and Preparing National Environmental Policy Act reviews for FEMA approval. States that integrate the HMGP with their frequently updated State Administrative and Hazard Mitigation Plans will create cohesive and effective approaches to loss reduction. This type of coordinated approach minimizes the distinction between “predisaster” and “post-disaster” time periods, and instead produces an ongoing mitigation effort. Hazard mitigation is any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards and their effects. A key purpose of the HMGP is to ensure that the opportunity to take critical mitigation measures to protect life and property from future disasters is not lost during the recovery and reconstruction process following a disaster. Program grant funds available under Section 404 of the Stafford Act provide States with the incentive and capability to implement mitigation measures that previously may have been infeasible. The purpose of this Desk Reference is to: Provide comprehensive information about FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Increase awareness of the HMGP as an integral part of statewide hazard mitigation efforts; and Encourage deeper commitments and increased responsibilities on the part of all States and communities to reduce damage and losses from natural disasters. This Desk Reference is organized to simplify program information and assist the reader with practical guidance for successful participation in the program. Lists of program-related acronyms and definitions are included, along with appendices that amplify selected aspects of the HMGP. This Desk Reference is organized into 14 sections, each of which presents a major HMGP subject area. In each section, information is presented on the right side of the page. In several sections, job aids containing supplemental material are provided. The job aids for each section can be found at the end of the section. At the front of each section, there is a detailed table of contents to help you locate specific information.

Course Overview The purpose of this course is to educate students in the process of developing quality mitigation planning and project grant application elements for the Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs. This is the prerequisite to the E0212: Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance; Developing Quality Application Elements course. Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to: Identify the role of mitigation and its benefits to society Identify and describe mitigation planning and project activities Identify and describe the Unified HMA grant programs Identify and describe the phases of the Unified HMA Federal Award life cycle Primary Audience State, Tribal, Territorial and local government staff and private non-profit (PNP) organizations that are eligible applicants or sub-applicants under HMA grants; and FEMA employees assigned to HMA grant activities. Prerequisites IS-393.A - Introduction to Hazard Mitigation course.

Identifies and describes specific government assistance opportunities such as loans, grants, counseling, and procurement contracts available under many agencies and programs.

Identifies and describes specific government assistance opportunities such as loans, grants, counseling, and procurement contracts available under many agencies and programs.

Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), as federal law and a program activity, began in 1997. Congress established a pilot program, which FEMA named ¿Project Impact,¿ to test the concept of investing prior to disasters to reduce the vulnerability of communities to future disasters. Contents of this report: (1) Overview of Pre-Disaster Mitigation: Program Purposes; Context and Trend; (2) PDM Legislative and Appropriations History; (3) Mitigation Funding and Studies: Post-Katrina Funding -- Competitive and Formula Grants; Grant Applications and Categories; (4) Issues for Congressional Consideration; (5) Concluding Observations. Illustrations.

This book introduces the concept of hazards as part of the earth’s natural systems, in contrast to "disasters," which occur at the intersection of the built and natural environments. It emphasizes choices made by society that either increase or diminish our level of vulnerability to the impacts of hazards, and the role of the emergency manager in how these choices are made and acted upon. The book defines key concepts including mitigation, preparedness, resilience, vulnerability, and explains the role of the emergency manager in putting these principles into practice.

"TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 753: A Pre-Event Recovery Planning Guide for Transportation is designed to help transportation owners and operators in their efforts to plan for recovery prior to the occurrence of an event that impacts transportation systems. The guide includes tools and resources to assist in both pre-planning for recovery and implementing recovery after an event. NCHRP Report 753 is intended to provide a single resource for understanding the principles and processes to be used for pre-event recovery planning for transportation infrastructure. In addition to the principles and processes, the guide contains checklists, decision support tools, and resources to help support pre-event recovery planning."--Publisher description.