Mitigation strategies have been developed in response to the hazard profiles and vulnerability of the assets in each jurisdiction. These strategies provides each jurisdiction a blueprint for reducing the potential losses identified in the risk assessment, based on existing authorities, policies, programs, resources, and its ability to expand on and improve these existing tools.
The purpose of conducting this capabilities assessment is to identify potential hazard mitigation opportunities available to the jurisdictions through their daily operations as units of local government. Careful analysis should detect any existing gaps, shortfalls or weaknesses within existing government activities that could increase community vulnerability. The assessment will also highlight the positive measures already in place at the jurisdictional level, which should continue to be supported and enhanced through future mitigation efforts. Since the capability assessment in 2017, very little has changed.
The capabilities assessment serves as the foundation for designing an effective hazard mitigation strategy. It not only helps establish the goals and objectives for jurisdictions to pursue under this Plan, but ensures that those goals and objectives are realistically achievable under given local conditions.
This capabilities assessment has been divided into the following three sections:
BRADD staff and County Steering Committees evaluated the existing authorities, policies, programs, and resources of each jurisdiction. The following chart is a summary of each jurisdiction and the current status of these items. Local Steering Committee members evaluated this information to determine what goals, objectives, and actions are necessary to effectively mitigate vulnerabilities, and what resources each jurisdiction currently has to begin implementation of the Mitigation Strategies of this plan.
Committee members compiled a list of potential authorities, policies, programs and resources based upon the public input and research of the committee members. Committee members also consulted with State and Federal Agencies to determine what resources were available and proven effective for other jurisdictions.
Definitions Relating To Existing Authorities, Programs and Resources:
Committee members compiled a list of potential authorities, policies, programs and resources based upon the public input and research of the committee members. Committee members also consulted with State and Federal Agencies to determine what resources were available and proven effective for other jurisdictions.
Definitions Relating To Existing Authorities, Programs and Resources:
- Floodplain Management – is the operation of a community program of corrective and preventative measures for reducing flood damage. These measures can take a variety of forms and generally include Zoning, Subdivision or Building Requirements, and special purpose Floodplain Ordinances.
- CRS Plan– the Community Rating System is a voluntary program that recognizes and encourages community Floodplain Management Activities that exceed the minimum National Flood Insurance Program requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flooding risk resulting from the community’s actions. Currently, while all communities are eligible, none participate in CRS.
- Zoning Regulations– are the tool a community uses to regulate land use, promote orderly growth and protect existing property owners by ensuring a convenient, attractive and functional community.
- Subdivision Regulations – set standards for streets, drainage ways, sewage disposal, water systems and other aspects of public welfare.
- Land Development Plans– identify where residential, commercial, institutional and recreational sites will be located and how essential municipal services such as water and sewer systems, roads and fire protection will be provided. These Plans also describe how many people are expected to live in an area and how development will be staged over time.
- Fire Prevention Codes– are intended to make sure all fire protection systems are maintained as they were designed. Such systems may include detection and suppression systems, but also include special fire rated walls and doors, which may remain in place for the duration of the buildings life.
- Stormwater Management Plans– are designed to manage stormwater runoff from new development in a coordinated wide approach with the thought in mind of decreasing the potential of flooding.
- CERT Team– the Community Emergency Response Team are citizens who are educated about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and are trained in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.
- NWS Storm Ready Program– is a nationwide community preparedness program that uses a grassroots approach to help communities develop plans to handle all types of severe weather, from tornadoes to tsunamis.
- Local Economic Development Council– is a group of citizens within a County, usually appointed, with diverse backgrounds in business, banking, education, social service, etc. who is charged with the preparation of infrastructure for and the recruitment of new industries or retail establishments and with the responsibility of retaining the already existing businesses and retail establishments within that County.
- Regional Development Agency– is, for the purpose of this Plan, a paid group of professionals with experience in areas such as making business loans, improving the housing stock, providing services for the elderly/handicapped, preparing grant applications, and administering economic development and transportation related projects, etc. The planning that is done by this Agency usually affects multi-counties. The Barren River Area Development District serves as the Regional Development Agency for the BRADD Region. These existing authorities, policies and programs are further explained in relation to the existing governmental structure and powers of the local jurisdiction. It is the responsibility of each local jurisdiction to develop, enact, and enforce the authorities and programs described above.
The chart below represents each community’s commitment towards hazard mitigation. You can also view the chart here.
The following chart summarizes the governmental structure for each jurisdiction in the BRADD Region. Each jurisdiction will be responsible for implementation of the Mitigation Strategies for their service area. Committee members reviewed the governmental structure of each jurisdiction to determine their capabilities to implement and enforce existing and future authorities, policies, programs, and resources.
Local Steering Committee members also reviewed the existing capabilities of the governmental agencies based upon the existing professional staff departments that are currently available to each jurisdiction. The below linked spreadsheet provides a summary of the existing professional staff for each jurisdiction. The areas of light blue on the chart are provided to the cities through the county department.
View the Capability Assessment for each jurisdiction by clicking here.
View the Capability Assessment for each jurisdiction by clicking here.