Discussion Forum 3 Module 3
“Public and Private Mitigation”
What does the term "mitigation" refer to, and how does it work?
Mitigation refers to procedures designed to lessen hazards and their consequences to
reduce the loss of life and property. As Nemeth (2017) points out, appropriate mitigation
strategies can help stop the cycle of catastrophe damage, reconstruction, and recurring harm.
Risk reduction measures are often explored from structural and nonstructural perspectives in
disaster management. Structural mitigation planning is concerned with the built environment
and entails creating or modifying structures to increase resilience (Phillips et al., 2016).
Nonstructural mitigation planning focuses on non-built strategies such as developing and
enforcing building rules and obtaining commercial and homeowner insurance to mitigate the
effect of hazard-related losses (Phillips et al., 2016). As the Federal Emergency Management
[FEMA] (2021) notes, the mitigation planning process for each state, local, tribal, and territorial
government has some variance. However, according to FEMA (2021), there are four core steps
in the hazard mitigation planning process. FEMA (2021) described the cornerstone of the
mitigation planning process as developing plans and assembling resources, conducting risk and
capability assessments, developing mitigation solutions, and implementing them into action.
Explain the community-wide strategy.
According to Islam and Ryan (2016), FEMA initiated the concept of a community-based
strategy [community approach] in 2011. The community approach concept stresses partnerships
among members of the state, municipal, tribal, and territorial governments, and the private sector
to strengthen communities' adaptive and resilience capacities (Islam & Ryan, 2016). According
to Phillips et al. (2016), meaningful discourse empowers communities to identify their needs and
the resources needed to solve them. Using this concept, Phillips et al. (2016) suggest that we
could cooperatively organize and improve community assets, capacities, and interests.
What do the terms "sustainability," "redundancy," and "resiliency" signify in terms of
mitigation?
Sustainability refers to a community's capacity to produce and sustain a diverse
ecological, economic, and social environment capable of meeting its inhabitants' needs and
ensuring a good quality of life in the present and future. Islam and Ryan (2016) noted that
sustainable communities are inextricably linked to thriving local economies. As Islam and Ryan
(2016) maintain, because of this notion, mitigation planning should consider the need to utilize
local resources rather than developing a reliance on regional or state resources. According to
Gillespie-Marthaler et al. (2019), communities are complex systems vulnerable to various threats
that may significantly impair critical activities. However, adaptable, and self-sustaining or
resilient communities have sufficient resources to adapt to, endure and recover from disasters or
other adversities. FEMA (2018) notes that using two power feeds or an uninterruptible power
supply redundancy in mitigation measures. Redundant capabilities mean acquiring redundant
systems, equipment, or resources (FEMA, 2018).
Public-Private Partnerships/Business Continuity Planning.
Private sectors are essential to the economy and play a significant role in responding to
and helping in recovery efforts during and after a disaster. Public and private sector
organizations can work effectively together if they overcome communication hurdles that
obstruct collaboration and coordination efforts. For example, according to Phillips et al. (2016),
while government officials may use the same technical jargon, they frequently interact with
business owners and consultants who may have no familiarity with their verbal terminologies. In
terms of business continuity, Ready (n.d.) notes that when businesses face disruptions, their
capacity to generate profits erodes. Additionally, businesses raise revenue for local and state
governments and are critical components of the economy. Ready (n.d.) states that the business
continuity planning process consists of four parts. According to Ready (n.d.), these procedures
include conducting a business impact analysis, planning, and implementing recovery methods for
essential business services and processes, and developing a continuity strategy.
Additionally, business continuity planning requires training and testing to determine the
plan's performance, including the information technology systems emplaced to carry out
business functions (Ready, n.d.). Concerning the importance of collaboration, the Bible states,
"I implore you, brothers, to be on the lookout for individuals who sow dissension and erect
impediments to the teaching you have been taught; avoid them" (English Standard Version, 2016,
Romans 16:17). From a community perspective, all must come together to overcome the
calamities brought on by natural and human-produced disasters.
References
English Standard Version (2016). BibleGateway.com; Crossway Bibles. English Standard
Version (2016). BibleGateway.com; Crossway Bibles.
www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/#booklist
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2018, February). Continuity Guidance Circular:
FEMA National Continuity Programs. https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-
07/Continuity-Guidance-Circular_031218.pdf
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2021, January 15). Hazard Mitigation Planning
Process. FEMA.Gov. https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-
management/hazard-mitigation-planning/create-hazard-plan/process
Gillespie‐Marthaler, L., Nelson, K., Baroud, H., & Abkowitz, M. (2019). Selecting Indicators
for Assessing Community Sustainable Resilience. Risk Analysis, 39(11), 2479–2498.
https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13344
Islam, T., & Ryan, J. (2016). Hazard Mitigation in Emergency Management (1st ed.).
Butterworth-Heinemann.
Nemeth, C. P. P. (2017). Homeland Security: An Introduction to Principles and Practice, Third
Edition (3rd ed.). CRC Press.
Phillips, B., Neal, D. M., & Webb, G. (2016). Introduction to Emergency Management (2nd
ed.). CRC Press.
Ready. (n.d.). Business Continuity Plan | Ready.gov. Ready.Gov. Retrieved March 31, 2022,
from https://www.ready.gov/business-continuity-plan?
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