TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution to submit the updated Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan in accordance with the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 - Public Law 106-390; and authorize City Manager to amend and update the Plan annually or as requested by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In October 2000, the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Mitigation Act) was signed into law. Pursuant to the Mitigation Act, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires local, county and state government to submit a Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP) to FEMA in order to be eligible for grant funding for pre-disaster mitigation projects and expanded post-disaster relief or emergency assistance funding. The FEMA-approved mitigation planning process includes, identifying natural and man-made hazards, determining potential impacts, developing mitigation measures for those hazards, and implementing measures to reduce the impacts of those hazards.
The overarching goals of the NHMP plan are to protect life and property, enhance public awareness, preserve natural systems, encourage partnerships and implementation, strengthen emergency services, and return to normalcy as quickly as possible. The NHMP provides a specific evaluation of seven hazards identified as posing significant threats to the community: earthquake; flood; windstorm; tsunami; public health hazards; drought; and technological and human-caused hazards. As the cost of damages from disasters to metropolitan areas across the country continue to increase, the City realizes the importance of identifying effective ways to reduce vulnerability to disasters. Mitigation plans assist communities in reducing risk from hazards by identifying resources, providing information and creating strategies for risk reduction, while helping to guide and coordinate mitigation activities. Planning for the mitigation of natural and man-made hazards is an integral element of the City's overall disaster preparedness plans.
NHMP mitigation measures include: training residents in basic disaster response skills through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program; outreach events, such as "Ready Long Beach," designed to provide residents with resources and informational material related to natural and man-made disasters; the Earthquake Early Warning System, which could trigger automatic responses to safeguard critical infrastructure and provide warnings to residents to take protective action; All Hazards Incident Management training to City employees and community partners; drought mitigation strategies; and ensuring that businesses and homes are sustainable during a natural disaster through enforcement of building codes and standards, and statewide land use planning regulations.
In addition to natural hazards, the plan includes mitigation measures related to public health emergencies and technological disasters. Mitigation planning is an ongoing process involving changes as new hazards are identified, as an area develops, and as more is learned about hazards and their impacts. The plan is evaluated annually and is resubmitted to FEMA every five years.
The City selected Emergency Planning Consultants (EPC) through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to assist the citywide Mitigation Planning Team (MPT) through the FEMA-required planning process. The MPT, a multi-departmental collaborative, included representation from Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications, Airport, Development Services, Financial Management, Fire, Health and Human Services, Gas and Oil, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Police, Port, Public Works, Technology and Innovation and the Water Department. In addition, the MPT garnered input from the disabled community and other community partner organizations, including local schools, hospitals the American Red Cross, Long Beach Transit and neighboring cities.
This matter has been reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Kendra Carney and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on February 27, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 24, 2015, to allow for the timely submission of the NHMP to FEMA for review and approval.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact from the approval of the NHMP. The submittal of the plan to FEMA enables the City to be eligible for FEMA mitigation project grant funding, as well as disaster relief and emergency assistance funding. To implement some of the projects outlined in the NHMP, funding sources will need to be identified. These funding sources may include grants, capital improvement funds, or other City funds. The consultant costs related to this project were funded by federal Homeland Security grant funds. City staff efforts were absorbed by participating departments. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH TO SUBMIT AN UPDATED NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL DISASTER MITIGATION ACT OF 2000 (PUBLIC LAW 106-390)
Respectfully Submitted,
Reginald Harrison
DIRECTOR, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
MiCHAEL Duree
Fire Chief
Robert Luna
POLICE CHIEF
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER