Preservation and Disaster Management

Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. DISASTER. It strikes anytime, anywhere. It takes many forms -- a hurricane, an earthquake, a tornado, a flood, a fire or a hazardous spill, an act of nature or an act of terrorism. It builds over days or weeks, or hits suddenly, without warning. Every year, millions of Americans face disaster, and its terrifying consequences. On March 1, 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Statutory Authority Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance ActRobert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, PL , signed into law November 23, 1988; amended the Disaster Relief Act of 1974, PL This Act constitutes the statutory authority for most Federal disaster response activities especially as they pertain to FEMA and FEMA programs. Homeland Security Act Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (PKEMRA)

hazard mitigation planning process Step 1 This step entails assessing the level of awareness and support for protecting these assets. This step also involves identifying resources for hazard mitigation related to historic properties and cultural resources. Step 2 This step focuses on identifying and recruiting historic preservation and cultural resource experts to join the planning team, should such expertise not already be represented by the core planning team members. Step 3 This section offers advice and provides useful tips on how to effectively engage the public during key points in the hazard mitigation planning process.

Assess Community Support Assessing Community Awareness of Historic Properties and Cultural Resources Which members of the community will most benefit from mitigation actions? Who in the community may resist and why? Is there a historic preservation office or department in your community? Is there staff with historic preservation capabilities with whom you can collaborate? Is there an existing historic preservation plan in the community, State, or Tribe? If there is a comprehensive plan, does it contain a historic preservation or conservation element?

Risk Assessment Step 1: Identify hazards that can affect your community. Step 2: Profile hazards to determine hazard- prone areas and magnitude of each hazard. Step 3: Inventory the historic properties and cultural resources vulnerable to those hazards, assess vulnerability of these assets, and establish preservation priorities by determining which assets are most valuable to the community. Step 4: Estimate the associated amount of potential losses.

Mitigation Plan Step 1. Develop mitigation goals and objectives for your preservation hierarchy. Step 2. Identify, evaluate, and prioritize actions. Step 3. Prepare an implementation strategy. Step 4. Document the mitigation planning process completed for historic properties and cultural resources.

Implementing the Plan Consideration 1: Sensitivity of information. Consideration 2: Required regulatory review. Consideration 3: Interagency coordination/agreements. Consideration 4: Evaluating and updating your plan. Consideration 5: Updating your inventory data.

Resources Sarah Marie ThorpSarah Marie Thorp, “Integrating Historic Preservation Management.” MS Thesis, University of Pennsylvania, National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Preparing for a Local Disaster.”“Preparing for a Local Disaster.” Heritage Emergency National Task Force NPS Bibliography on Emergency Preparedness for Disaster