We appreciate your interest in the County-Wide Hazard Mitigation Planning Process. A brief history on this planning process is provided below:
- In November 2004, FEMA published their guidance for the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program for fiscal year 2005. This grant program allows jurisdictions across the Country to apply for mitigation project and plan grants on a nationally competitive basis.
- In December 2004, Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) consulted with jurisdictions across the County who were interested in submitting individual planning applications.
- In January, 2005, Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) decided to complete an application to develop a County-Wide Hazard Mitigation Plan based on the consultation with different jurisdictions. The goal is to develop approved plans for every jurisdiction and to have those plans be consistent with one another.
- At the end of February 2005, Pierce County DEM submitted an application on behalf of 40 plus jurisdictions to FEMA.
- In June 2005, FEMA received and reviewed close to 700 applications from around the nation for the approximately $220 million in potential grant funds.
- In August 2005, FEMA and Washington State Emergency Management Department notified us that our County-Wide Hazard Mitigation Plan would be funded, and we awaited the official award letter. A draft work schedule and participating jurisdiction list was then emailed to each jurisdiction.
- In late November 2005, the official award letter, totaling $657,500 was signed by FEMA, Washington State and Pierce County. This process was delayed due to Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts.
- In late December 2005, Pierce County DEM held interviews to build the internal planning team to coordinate and develop the Plan.
- In January 2006, Pierce County DEM hired members and established the internal team. The project officially got underway in early February, 2006.
Each jurisdiction that is part of the application will formulate and receive an approved mitigation plan prior to the termination of the grant agreement. An approved plan means that the jurisdiction is compliant with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and eligible for various project grant funds.
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