An important benefit of the mitigation planning process is that it promotes awareness of risks and elevates the conversation about making a safer, more resilient community. A plan that accurately reflects the community’s values and priorities will generate more community support. That support will lead to success in carrying out mitigation actions and projects that reduce risk.
Federal regulations for mitigation plan approval require that stakeholders and the general public are given opportunities to be involved in the plan’s development process. Input from community members can strengthen the content and outcomes of the mitigation plan. The plan must also state how public involvement will continue as the plan is carried out during its lifetime.
An outreach strategy identifies what you want to achieve through your outreach efforts. It also identifies who to involve in the process, and how and when to effectively engage the community. Every participating jurisdiction can employ a slightly tailored engagement strategy that suits their community’s demographics and needs in addition to the lead jurisdiction’s engagement strategy.