Florida pre disaster mitigation program

Among its primary missions, the Strategy serves as a basis for comprehensive mitigation planning, project identification and prioritization, and provides assistance to project sponsors in securing and allocating available federal, state, local, and other disaster mitigation assistance funds. LMS projects cover a range of topics including major drainage improvement projects, hardening of public structures, Emergency Operation Center purchases, etc.

While some of these projects may eventually be self-funded by sponsoring communities, many will require outside financial assistance in order to be completed. By virtue of being on the LMS Prioritized Project List, each project potentially qualifies for funding assistance consideration though a variety of mitigation assistance programs.

Projects typically involve a combination of outside and local funding in line with matching guidelines established by the assistance program. A Steering Committee made up of 15 representatives of county and municipal government, not-for-profit organizations, and the private sector serves as the policy body to advise and assist in the administration and oversight of LMS activities and initiatives.

A Flood Mitigation Technical Advisory Committee comprised of public and private sector engineers and other flood experts, is charged with assessing flood risks and developing strategies and projects to reduce future losses.

The committee focuses on flood basins without regard to jurisdictional boundaries and involves community interests as project recommendations are developed. A seven 7 person Evaluation Panel comprised of combination of LMS Steering Committee members and community agency representatives is charged with reviewing and scoring projects as a basis for prioritization.

A Subcommittee of the LMS serves as the outreach, education, and mutual assistance arm of the Community Rating System focusing on flood awareness and education. The LMS Steering Committee meets quarterly to adopt updated prioritized project lists, discuss relevant mitigation issues, and plan and evaluate community initiatives and strategies. These meetings are open to the public.

Schedules, agendas, and meeting summaries can be obtained by calling The LMS Working Group is comprised of county, municipal, private sector, and community partners, including the general public that prepare and promote local strategies and projects to reduce long-term risks to life and property from natural, technological, and human caused disasters. The resulting pre and post disaster mitigation strategies and projects are supported by a variety of state and federal programs and funding sources, in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of Our approach to mitigation needs to shift to a pre-disaster mindset, so we are anticipating the need, and not responding after the damage is done.

BRIC makes additional federal funds available to states, U. S territories, Indian tribal governments, and local communities for pre-disaster mitigation activities.

The FY priorities for BRIC were to incentivize public infrastructure projects; projects that mitigate risk to one or more community lifelines; projects that incorporate nature-based solutions; and the adoption and enforcement of the latest published editions of building codes. The reality is that natural disasters have always occurred and will continue to occur. We should use every disaster as an opportunity to learn and improve our mitigation capabilities and strategies to decrease loss of life and damage to our homes and infrastructure, and to lessen the economic strain that disasters present.

I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today on how to continue to improve our preparedness and resilience in the face of the unpredictable nature of disasters and all-hazard emergencies. Home U. Florida Daily. The Florida Bar Foundation provides resources and volunteer opportunities for legal aid and pro bono attorneys, as well as information to help Floridians seeking civil legal aid.

View the Florida Bar Foundation website. The Foundation has also created the Florida Hurricane Legal Aid Fund for donations to go directly to civil legal assistance for Floridians affected by Hurricane Irma and any subsequent hurricanes making landfall in Florida. The Florida Bar Foundation provides civil legal aid to the most vulnerable disaster survivors. Help includes:. NLIHC has created a disaster webpage and several initiatives to support members and housing providers to respond to disasters.

Weekly teleconferences provide updates on the recovery efforts for disasters including wildfires and hurricanes. To view updates, policy recommendations and priority statements, visit the NLIHC disaster recovery page.

Volunteer Florida is guided by a bipartisan board of Commissioners , who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. Volunteer Florida administers national service programs like AmeriCorps, which offer Floridians the opportunity to engage in intensive service to their community while increasing capacity for nonprofits and other service organizations.

Volunteer Florida provides required fiscal and programmatic oversight of these grants so that we maximize funds and ensure grantees are accountable for results. Florida VOAD is a coalition of nonprofit organizations that respond to disasters as part of their overall mission. Florida VOAD a statewide body that facilitates cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration of member organizations in all phases of disaster and to maximize member impact. Other organizations and governmental agencies with an interest in disaster work are welcomed as partners.

Email Address. City, State. Mitigation Programs from Florida Division of Emergency Management Protecting homes from future damage is an integral part of disaster preparedness.