Jonesboro, AR — The Craighead County Office of Emergency Management (CCEM) is pleased to announce approval of the Craighead County Hazard Mitigation Plan submitted to the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in early June 2016.
Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. It is most effective when implemented under a comprehensive, long-term mitigation plan. Government entities engage in hazard mitigation planning to identify risks and vulnerabilities associated with natural disasters, and develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from future hazard events. Mitigation plans are key to breaking the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Developing hazard mitigation plans enables the following:
- Increase education and awareness around threats, hazards, and vulnerabilities;
- Build partnerships for risk reduction involving government, organizations, businesses, and the public;
- Identify long-term, broadly-supported strategies for risk reduction;
- Align risk reduction with other community objectives;
- Identify implementation approaches that focus resources on the greatest risks and
vulnerabilities; and communicate priorities to potential sources of funding.
The process now includes approval of the plan by of the governing board of each municipality and local school district included in the plan.
According to County Judge Ed Hill, “He is pleased to have the process behind us and appreciates the effort of his staff in securing the grant funding needed to complete the unfunded federal requirement. We are looking forward to working with cities and schools to finalize things locally. I am hopeful approval of the plan by FEMA will decrease much of the misinformation that is being spread during this election season.”
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