Mitigation
Mitigation is those things, which can be done to lessen the risk of loss during a disaster. For example, a strict building code and enforcement program can eliminate or minimize damage from severe weather. Not allowing building in flood plains is another major mitigation plan. At the direction of FEMA we are currently developing a Pre-disaster mitigation plan, which will be complete before September 2005. We hope to identify several mitigation programs that can be addressed in the future by grants or direct funding.
Response
When disasters occur, this is the function that is immediately activated to save lives and minimize damage to property. We conduct exercises throughout the year where we simulate various kinds of disasters and measure our response for timeliness and correct decision-making. We learn a lot with each exercise. Our intent is to constantly learn and improve our performance. We also conduct training with our first responders in a classroom environment. Areas of focus include Hazardous Material Awareness, Rescue Specialist, Vehicle Extrication, etc.