Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan: 01. Introduction

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Chapter 1:Introduction CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose and Scope of the Plan Purpose of This Plan The purposes of this multi-hazard mitigation plan are twofold: 1) to protect people and structures from harm and destruction; and 2) to minimize the costs and disruption of disaster response and recovery. Hazard mitigation planning is the process that analyzes a community's risk from natural hazards, coordinates available resources, and implements actions to reduce risks. There are many benefits in developing a hazard mitigation plan: a well-thought-out blueprint provides more direct access to a wide range of technical and financial resources; the planning process promotes the development of a well- informed citizenry knowledgeable about hazards; mitigation strategies are more integrated with other community needs and goals; and the plan would improve the County's ability to recover after a disaster. A hazard mitigation plan is a pre-requisite to receive federal disaster assistance funding. In the past, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) placed primary emphasis on response and recovery. Recent changes in federal law marked a fundamental shift in policy to focus on mitigation as the foundation of emergency management., For disasters declared after November 1, 2004, state and local governments must have a miti- gation plan approved by FEMA to receive pre- and post-disaster Hazard Mitigation Grants. This plan is the update and revision of the original "Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan: County of Hawaii," of May 2005. What is a Hazard? A hazard is a natural- or human-caused event that has the potential to cause significant injury, loss of life or property damage. "Disasters" are distinguished from "emergencies"by the degree of response required. An emergency is where local resources are adequate to respond. A disaster is when the marshaling of broader resources such as State and/or national resources is necessary to assist with recovery.z Since 1977, Hawaii County has experienced six events (three floods, a lava flow, and two earthquakes) that have met criteria for Presidential declaration as a disaster area(see Table 1-1). 1 Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000(P.L. 106-390),which amended the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act(P.L. 100-707)which in tum amended the Disaster Relief Act of 1974,P.L.93-288. 2 `"Disaster' means any situation,usually catastrophic in nature,where numbers of persons are plunged into helplessness and suffering and as a result may be in the need of food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or other necessities of life, and the governor of the State or the mayor of the County have declared a state of disaster or emergency."(Hawaii County Code section 7-6). 1-1 Hawaii County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan