Nevada safety managers earn status renewal nod from U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 12/03/2013 - 11:31am
Nevada's emergency management and Homeland Security divisions received federal government approval for their plans on how to handle either natural or manmade hazards that could affect the state, officials announced Tuesday.
The Nevada Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security received an "enhanced" status renewal by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for work it did to complete a 2013 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The status assures the state would continue to receive increased funding following presidentially declared disasters. Enhanced states receive an additional 20 percent of the value of federal disaster expenditures compared to 15 percent without an enhanced status.
“I am grateful for all of the hard work that developed our Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan.” said NDEM Chief, Chris Smith. “I am proud of Elizabeth Ashby, the Nevada Hazard Mitigation Officer, and our state, local and tribal partners that made this possible.”
An Enhanced State Mitigation Plan documents Nevada’s demonstrable and sustained commitment to the objectives of hazard mitigation. The designation recognizes the State as a proactive leader in implementing a comprehensive statewide program. The enhanced status acknowledges the extra effort Nevada has made to reduce losses, protect it resources, and create safer communities.
The NDEM is required to review and revise the plan to reflect changes in development, progress in mitigation efforts and changes in priorities and submit for approval every three years. This version of the State Hazard Mitigation Plan is an inter-agency effort that integrates local and state planning efforts through the Nevada Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee. The standard plan includes a statewide hazard analysis and a risk assessment of 13 identified natural and man-made hazards that may affect the state.
Based on this information the planning committee developed statewide hazard mitigation goals, objectives and measures implemented through state and local jurisdictions to address priority hazards. The state is also required to submit additional information that demonstrates the integration of the plan with other types of state planning requirements, demonstrate its capability to effectively manage federal hazard mitigation grant funding along with the ability to track and measure performance outcomes of completed mitigation projects.
Nevada initially received an enhanced status designation in 2010, becoming one of the first states to do so. To date, only nine other states have achieved enhanced status and even fewer have received renewal of that status. This approval reflects Nevada’s ongoing commitment to reduce the impacts of future disasters through a comprehensive range of programs and initiatives as well as continued program management performance.
