Hazard Mitigation is defined as any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to life and property from hazard events. It is an on-going process that occurs before, during, and after disasters and serves to break the cycle of damage and repair in hazardous areas.

• Hazard Mitigation Planning

Flooding damage that effected
public roads in Dorchester

How Mitigation Benefits Society

The NH HSEM Planning Section administers the Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs. The Section assists in the development of comprehensive hazard mitigation plans and projects to protect citizens, and their property from exposure to all hazards including: natural, human caused, and technological. The Planning Section is also responsible for management of the FEMA Public Assistance grant program and the Emergency Management Performance Grant.

What are the different grants available within Hazard Mitigation Assistance?

The Hazard Mitigation staff oversees the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), Repetitive Flood Claims (RFC), Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL), and Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program. Federal funding is provided for cost effective and sustainable programs through these five projects.

• Unified Hazard Mitigation Guidance

A road closure in Dorchester due
to the effects of flood waters
undermining the integrity of the road.

Mitigation Actions

Examples of Mitigation actions:

• Promoting effective land use planning based on identified hazards
• Adopting, and enforcing building codes and standards
• Buying flood insurance to protect personal property and belongings
• Securing shelves and water heaters to walls
• Elevating structures above the floodplain
• Retrofitting structures to withstand earthquakes
• Acquisition and demolition of flood prone structures
• Replacing Culverts damaged by flooding to increase capacity to prevent future damage

Documentation for all Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs

• Grant Documents
  • HMGP Application
  • Letter of Intent
  • Benefit Cost Analysis Software
  • Quarterly Report
  • Request for Reimbursement
  • Closeout Documentation
• Administrative Plan

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