A Study of Local Governments Participating in the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program and Populations Served

There are possibly 87,525 local governments that may be eligible to participate in local FEMA-Approved Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plans and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program. These include special single purpose government entities that may not provide essential health and safety services of a governmental nature, whose eligibility is determined by the state. This study was limited to identifying the populations served by these local plans. As of mid-August 2005, 51 of the 58 state entities had local plans. This documentation review revealed there were only 1139 of the congressionally mandated local approved plans with 5793 participating jurisdictions representing only 37.44% of the nation's population. Ten state entities' local approved plans covered 69% or greater of the state's population and only five out of that ten were able to achieve of 88% or greater. The lower quartile's performance pre-Katrina and post-Katrina is examined. The low adoption rate, whether caused by multiple philosophies, misinterpretations or limited local capacity, capability, competence or support, must be determined by more in-depth research. However, it was noted that the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program guidance was more focused on pre-disaster mitigation strategies and competitive cost-effective projects then all-hazards risk and vulnerability assessments. To determine if a local or state PDM project will be cost-effective and maximize the benefits to the Nation, these assessments must be completed first for all local counties and all hazards.