Discussion Thread: Introduction to Hazard Mitigation
Based on the 4-part comprehensive emergency management cycle, mitigation makes up
the last step of the process (Islam & Ryan, 2015, p. 6). Preparedness is the first step, and the
response will follow the occurrence of an incident, which is then followed by recovery. Despite
being last in the cycle, mitigation plays a critical role early in the process as well. “Mitigation is
an ongoing phase in which communities continually pursue mitigation efforts through thoughtful
planning and effective leadership” (Islam & Ryan, 2015, p. 14). It is a learning process based on
many factors including past events and is an important step in prevention. It is arguable that
mitigation plays the most important role in the process since it aims at eliminating as much
incident risk as possible.
Risk assessments are a part of the planning process to “determine the probability of losses
by analyzing potential hazards and evaluating existing conditions of vulnerability that could pose
a threat or harm to property, people, livelihoods and the environment on which they depend”
(Van Westen & Greiving (2017, p. 45). As discussed by in our textbook, “this is done by
assessing the vulnerability of people, buildings, and infrastructure to specific hazards” (Islam &
Ryan, 2015, p. 26). The 4 steps in creating a mitigation plan are to create goals and objectives
accounting for potential losses. This should involve the public to help determine needs. Next,
there must be a benefit-cost analysis done to help identify and determine the range of mitigation
actions in a priority order. Third, there must be an implementation strategy prepared by the
planning team to identify the responsible agencies, funding sources and time frame. Lastly, the
mitigation planning process must be documented in order to comply with the Federal DMA2000
requirements. (2015).
There are several benefits of mitigation including the protection of lives, preventing
financial losses, reducing the impact to communities. I would say we as a nation are doing a
satisfactory job of mitigation. I think this is a testament to the talented leadership and
commitment to those in government capable of navigating beyond the politics to get the job
done. This isn’t to say there isn’t room for improvement and work to be done!
The Bible offers guidance on planning saying: “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but
in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (King James Bible, 1769/2017, Proverbs 11:14).
This guidance certainly applies as we discuss consulting with others as we develop a mitigation
plan.
References
Islam, T., & Ryan, J. (2015). Hazard mitigation in emergency management. Butterworth-
Heinemann.
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
(Original work published 1769)
Van Westen, C. J., & Greiving, S. (2017). Multi-hazard risk assessment and decision
making. Environmental hazards methodologies for risk assessment and management, 31.
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