4 Phases of Man-made Hazard Mitigation Planning

Phase #1: Organize Resources

The first step in man-made hazard mitigation planning is to organize resources. To start with you will need to assess community support (FEMA, 2003, pg. 1-1). This can be completed by conducting a series of public information meetings. At these meetings you will need to inform the public about the man-made hazards that their community is vulnerable to, answer any questions that arise and try to focus on the importance of man-made hazard mitigation planning. It is also important to enlist the help of the media for promoting the benefits of man-made hazard mitigation planning and to help keep the public informed about the developments in the mitigation planning process. Finally, you will want to "capitalize on planning opportunities." (FEMA, 2003, pg. 1-3). To do this you can incorporate man-made hazard mitigation planning into your regular community emergency and disaster mitigation planning process, you can take advantage of post-disaster recovery media frenzies to discuss what your community needs to do to plan for man-made disasters and/or you can address man-made hazard mitigation planning when your regular mitigation plan is updated. (pg. 1-3 - 1-4).

The second step in this phase of man-made hazard mitigation planning is to build your planning team. (FEMA, 2003, pg. 1-4). This step is very important as it will provide you with the expertise and knowledge base you need to create a comprehensive mitigation committee. To ensure that the planning team has the mix of expertise that your community needs it is important to assess the skills, experience and expertise that each of the current members of your planning team has. (pg. 1-4). Then identify gaps in your team's expertise areas and then recruit members to fill these gaps.