Definition of Mitigation
Mitigation refers to the use of sustained actions to decrease or eliminate the risks to people and property from hazards and their effects (Haddow, Bullock, and Coppola, 2010). Mitigation is done to ensure that people and structures are protected. This helps in the process of reducing any costs that may be used in response and recovery.
How Mitigation Differs from other Emergency Disciplines
Mitigation differs from other emergency management disciplines because it is aimed at developing long-term solutions to reducing risk. The other disciplines such as preparedness to hazards, response to hazards and recovery offer short-term solutions to the effects of hazards (Haddow, Bullock, and Coppola, 2010). Further, mitigation does not fall under the emergency phase of a disaster as opposed to preparedness and response in emergency planning.
Federal Mitigation Programs
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
This mitigation program is designed to address and offer grants for long-term mitigation projects before and after a disaster (Jerolleman and Kiefer, 2013). The program provides funds for the development of projects that are environmentally sensitive and contribute to the reduction of future damage (Jerolleman and Kiefer, 2013). The program provides funds to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation programs. This is normally the case after a major disaster has been acknowledged by the president. The HMGP supports elevation of structures, acquisition of property on a voluntary basis, localized flood control projects, public education and awareness, building code enforcement and vegetation management programs.
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program (PDM)
This program is designed to provide funds to communities to reduce future disaster losses and minimize the dependence on grants claimed under the HMGP (Jerolleman and Kiefer, 2013). The program funds both structural and non-structural mitigation projects. Eligible projects comprise of structural elevation, property acquisition, relocation, and other non-flood related mitigation. The PDM grants are awarded on a competitive basis.
Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA)
This program is designed to supply funds for the development of flood damage reduction projects to states and communities (Jerolleman and Kiefer, 2013). The program also offers insurance to consumers and businesses. The program supports contacting of engineering assistance, local planning of meeting to ensure that there is citizen input, surveying of structures that are at risk of flooding and the assessment of repetitive losses. Programs that are eligible for this program are specified in the flood mitigation plan. These include dry flood proofing of non-residential structures, elevation of residential structures, minor flood control projects, and relocation of structures from deed restricted property to sites that are not prone to flood hazards
References
Haddow, G. D., & Bullock, J. A. (2011).Introduction to emergency management (4th Ed.).
Burlington, MA: Butterworth Heinemann.
Jerolleman, A., & Kiefer, J. (2013).Natural hazard mitigation. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
