Proactive NOT Reactive by Robert Morris
Natural disasters are always unpredictable, and can cause significant damage to communities. Proactive planning is necessary to mitigate the impact of hazards and can reduce loss of life and property from natural hazard events. Natural Hazard Planning is a formalized approach designed to reduce the risk of natural hazards as they impact communities.
The Community Planning Workshop provides students the opportunity to further enhance their knowledge in community-integrated projects, networking and professional development. This term, I have been working with a student team responsible for updating a Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (NHMP) for Jefferson County, Oregon to submit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In order for local jurisdictions to receive funding from FEMA, they are required to maintain and update a National Hazards Mitigation Plan every five years.
For the last two terms, I have had the opportunity to meet with various city officials through stakeholder interviews and by leading three steering committee meetings. This experience has taught me the importance of understanding working within a community, as well as the attention to detail that is required to engage in a successful public involvement process.
This project has given me pride in my ability to contribute to a collaborative process that produces a tangible document, which will be used by the community as a reference and guideline for mitigating community risk to hazard. By undertaking and implementing mitigation plan actions, and working closely with knowledgeable professionals (steering committee members), the hazard mitigation plan will reduce the potential threat to people and property from future hazardous events.
Robert Morris Bio: 1st Year Community and Regional Planning Masters candidate. I am from Pennants, Jamaica. My background is in architecture and I am now interested in what solutions can recycling opportunities offer with regards to the growing problem of homelessness.
Meet our Students: Robert Morris / Community and Regional Planning
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