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Kentucky Emergency Management
KENTUCKY'S ENHANCED MITIGATION STATUS MEANS MILLIONS TO THE COMMOMWEALTH
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 2, 2011) - The Commonwealth of Kentucky has received notice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of approval and
award of an "enhanced" status for the State Hazard Mitigation Plan.
This enhanced plan allows the Commonwealth to continue to receive increased funding for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program following presidentially declared disasters. Enhanced states receive an additional 20 percent of the value of federal disaster expenditures compared to 15 percent without an enhanced status. Over the past three years, because of this enhanced status, Kentucky has received more than $21 million in additional hazard mitigation project grant funding, which has in turn been awarded to communities across the state.
The Commonwealth initially received an enhanced status designation three years ago, becoming one of the first states to do so. To date, only nine other states have achieved enhanced status and even fewer have received renewal of that status
The State Hazard Mitigation Program is managed and administered by the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM)
"This is great news for the Commonwealth, which has become far too familiar with the devastation caused by natural disasters," said Governor Steve Beshear. "The additional funding that this enhanced hazard mitigation status will provide Kentucky communities will go a long way to help protect against disaster when Mother Nature strikes. I appreciate the work of our emergency management teams to achieve this renewal."
John Heltzel, director of KYEM, said, "I'm extremely proud of our county and regional partners and, of course, our Hazard Mitigation team. The long hours and the extra effort to assemble a nationally recognized state mitigation plan may well save lives and will certainly ensure additional funding of future hazard mitigation projects by the federal government. Being nationally recognized is noteworthy, but the additional funding associated with this designation will make a tremendous impact to our communities."
Achieving an enhanced funding status is a two-part process. First, Kentucky is required to submit a standard hazard mitigation plan every three years.
This version of the State Hazard Mitigation Plan is truly an inter-agency effort that integrates local and state planning efforts through the State Hazard Mitigation Team. The standard plan includes a statewide hazard analysis and a risk assessment of 13 identified natural and man-made hazards that may affect the state. Based on this information the planning committee developed statewide hazard mitigation goals, objectives and measures implemented through state and local jurisdictions to address priority hazards.
Second, the state is required to submit additional information that demonstrates the integration of the plan with other types of state planning requirements. Kentucky is also required to demonstrate its capability to effectively manage federal hazard mitigation grant funding along with the ability to track and measure performance outcomes of completed mitigation projects.
For additional information on the State Hazard Mitigation Program, visit the website www.kyem.ky.gov/assistance/hazardmitigation
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