The Polis Center Helps Develop Multi-hazard Mitigation Plans

Since 2003, The Polis Center collaborated with universities, state agencies, and local governments to develop FEMA-funded multi-hazard mitigation plans that meet the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requirements. They use GIS analyses, including FEMA’s Hazus-MH, to quantify our risk assessments in terms of potential physical, economic, and social impacts of disasters. Then the center works with each jurisdiction to brainstorm and document potential mitigation strategies to minimize those impacts and build resiliency in the community.

Part of its process is to partner with other agencies or universities to transfer its technical and planning expertise to build or strengthen local capacity. Recently the center has completed, or is in the process of completing, this knowledge and technology transfer in Illinois, Texas, Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Puerto Rico.