PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management is updating its hazard mitigation plan (HMP) and is seeking out community input. The plan includes policies, procedures and projects addressing disasters and preparedness.
The HMP is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be updated every five years so the city can remain eligible for federal disaster funding.
“So this is a plan that identifies what hazards Philadelphia is most at risk for, both natural and human-caused hazards,” explained Emma Giardina, the office’s hazard planning coordinator.
And that includes flooding.
“Our number one hazard here in Philadelphia is definitely flooding, and flooding is something that is featured in our last hazard mitigation plan from 2017. So we’ll definitely be looking into that, updating the data around flooding and what has happened over the past few years,” she said.
According to OEM, other concerns are with response to problems occurring from extreme temperatures, utility disruptions, or bridge or dam failure.
The pandemic health risks will likely be a new factor.
“We have an online survey that we have distributed where we are really looking for feedback on what keeps Philadelphians up at night, the hazards that they are experiencing in their homes and what are they most concerned about,” Giardina said.
The next plan needs to be completed in the spring of 2022 and presented to City Council for approval.
The office is hoping to talk to residents about risks they face at socially distanced community events that have been planned starting next month.
“Our primary focus is saving lives, right? We also know that hazard mitigation can protect property and it can prevent destruction of property from these hazards. There is also lots of data out there that shows that investing in mitigation saves money down the line as well,”she explained.