SECTION 5: CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT
A more detailed discussion on the region’s planning and regulatory capability follows, along with the incorporation of additional information based on the narrative comments provided by local officials in
response to the survey questionnaire. 5.3.1.1 Emergency Management
Hazard mitigation is widely recognized as one of the four primary phases of emergency management, as is shown in Figure 5.1. In reality, mitigation is interconnected with all other phases and is an essential component of effective preparedness, response, and recovery. Opportunities to reduce potential losses through mitigation practices are most often implemented before a disaster event, such as through the elevation of flood-prone structures or by regular enforcement of policies that regulate development. However, mitigation opportunities can also be identified during immediate preparedness or response activities, such as installing storm shutters in advance of a hurricane. Furthermore, incorporating mitigation during the long-term recovery and redevelopment process following a disaster event is what enables a community to become more resilient. Figure 5.1 – The Four Phases of Emergency Management
Planning for each phase is a critical part of a comprehensive emergency management program and a key to the successful implementation of hazard mitigation actions. As such, the Local Capability Self- Assessment asked several questions across a range of emergency management plans to assess the region’s willingness to plan and their level of technical planning proficiency. Hazard Mitigation Plan A hazard mitigation plan is a community’s blueprint for how it intends to reduce the impact of natural, and in some cases human-caused, hazards on people and the built environment. The essential elements of a hazard mitigation plan include a risk assessment, capability assessment, and mitigation strategy. 13 of the 13 participating jurisdictions in this regional planning effort have previously been covered by the Wake County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Disaster Recovery Plan A disaster recovery plan serves to guide the physical, social, environmental, and economic recovery and reconstruction process following a disaster event. In many instances, hazard mitigation principles and practices are incorporated into local disaster recovery plans with the intent of capitalizing on
Wake County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan 2019
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