Homeland Security is coming to town

The Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security’s Mitigation section is in the process of updating the State’s Hazard Mitigation Plan and would like to provide interested parties the opportunity to provide comments and learn more about this effort.  A series of three Agency and Public Input Forums have been scheduled in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho Falls, and Boise.

The forum in Coeur d’Alene will be Tuesday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ameritel Inn, 333 Ironwood.

Hazard mitigation is any long term or permanent solution to reduce the risk of life and property to known hazards.  A hazard mitigation plan is developed to identify potential hazards affecting the state, profile those hazards to determine how vulnerable the state’s citizens and infrastructure are to those hazards, review the state’s and local capability to implement mitigation, and develop a long term mitigation action plan.  In addition to ensuring that the state remains eligible for hazard mitigation funding, a hazard mitigation plan is useful in providing state and local leaders as well as citizens a blueprint for reducing risk and making Idaho communities more resilient to hazards.

“Common sense tells us that it is better to be prepared for a disaster and to eliminate or reduce the loss of life or damage to property than to merely make our response better.  This way, vulnerabilities can be identified and steps can be taken to reduce the impact of the disaster events before they occur.  It is never a matter of if a disaster occurs, but when a disaster occurs,” said BHS Director Brig. Gen. Bill Shawver.

The Forums will provide information on the updated Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategy as well as information on FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs.  Open Houses are scheduled from 10AM until 2PM.  Those unable to attend the Open House will find information on the mitigation plan update as well as a survey form to provide feedback on the project webpage:  http://www.idahoshmpupdate.com/