chapter3 mitigation（chapter3 mitigation）.doc

Chapter 3: Mitigation Chapter Outline Introduction of topics and concepts to be discussed in this chapter. Tools for Mitigation Hazard Identification and Mapping Design and Construction Applications Land Use Planning Financial Incentives Insurance Structural Controls Impediments to Mitigation Case Studies Deerfield Beach, Florida: A Project Impact Community Avalanche Mitigation in the Western United States Tornado Safe Rooms Additional Sources of Information Glossary Of Terms Acronyms Discussion Questions Suggested Out Of Class Exercises Introduction The discipline of mitigation provides the means for reducing the impacts of disaster events. Mitigation is defined as a sustained action to reduce or eliminate risk to people and property from hazards and their effects. The function of mitigation differs from the other emergency management disciplines because it looks at long-term solutions to reducing risk as opposed to preparedness for hazards, the immediate response to a hazard or the short-term recovery from a hazard event. Mitigation is usually not considered part of the emergency phase of a disaster as in response, or as part of emergency planning as in preparedness. The recovery function of emergency management still represents one of the best opportunities for mitigation, and until recently, this phase in a disaster provided the most substantial funding for mitigation activities. In recent years, there has been a trend to greater Federal spending on pre-disaster mitigation first in Project Impact and the establishment of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. There is another difference that sets mitigation apart from the other disciplines of emergency management. Implementing mitigation programs and activities requires the participation and support of a broad spectrum of players outside of the traditional emergency management circle. Mitigation involves, among others, land use planners, construction and bui