Hazard mitigation is any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate the longterm risk to human life and property from hazards. Mitigation activities may be implemented prior to, during, or after an incident. However, it has been demonstrated that hazard mitigation is most effective when based on an inclusive, comprehensive, long-term plan that is developed before a disaster occurs. (FEMA, Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Guidance, July 1, 2008, p. 3). (7) Mitigation means sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards and their effects. Mitigation distinguishes actions that have a long-term impact from those that are more closely associated with preparedness for, immediate response to, and short-term recovery from a specific event (FEMA, Multi Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, 1997, p. xxii). (8) Mitigation actions protect life and property and reduce long term risks from hazards. Mitigation is achieved primarily through community actions, although they can be greatly enhanced by the support of individuals, public-private partnerships, and Federal and State assistance. (FEMA, Strategic Plan FY 1998- FY 2002, June 1997, p. 21). (9) Any action taken to eliminate or reduce the long-term risk to human life and property from natural hazards. Mitigation actions are accomplished by: (1) Acting on the hazard. Seeding hurricanes or triggering avalanches may eliminate a hazard before a disaster occurs. (2) Redirecting the hazard. A seawall or dune restoration program helps keep water away from people by redirecting the impact areas away from vulnerable locations. (3) Interacting with the hazard. Seismic safety provisions incorporated into building codes result in structures that are more able to withstand impacts and earthquakes. (4) Avoiding the hazard. River corridor projects create multiple beneficial uses of the floodplain while relocating structures to less vulnerable locations. (FEMA IS-513, 1999, I-50). (10) Taking sustained actions, such as supporting the use of strong building codes and guiding community disaster resistance, to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards and their effects. (FEMA, A Nation Prepared FEMA Strategic Plan, 2002, p. 58). (11) Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. Effective mitigation measures can break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Effective mitigation is achieved through three critical components - analyzing risk, reducing risk, and insuring for flood risk. (1) Analyze Risk: Determining the impact of natural hazards that lead to effective strategies for reducing risk. (2) Reduce Risk: Reducing or eliminating long-term risk from hazards on the existing built environment and future construction. (3) Insure for Flood Risk: Reducing the impact of floods on the Nation by providing affordable flood insurance. (FEMA, Fact Sheet, FEMA's Mitigation Directorate, August 2007, p. 1). (12) Provides a critical foundation in the effort to reduce the loss of life and property from natural and/or manmade disasters by avoiding or lessening the impact of a disaster and providing value to the public by creating safer communities. Mitigation seeks to fix the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. These activities or actions, in most cases, will have a long-term sustained effect. (FEMA, NIMS (FEMA 501 Draft), 2007, p. 154). (13) Examples of mitigation activities include the following: (a) ongoing public education and outreach activities designed to reduce loss of life and destruction of property; (b) complying with or exceeding floodplain management and land-use regulations; (c) enforcing stringent building codes, seismic design standards, and wind-bracing requirements for new construction, or repairing and/or retrofitting existing buildings; (d) supporting measures to ensure the protection and resilience of critical infrastructure and key resources designed to ensure continuity of business and the economic stability of communities; (e) acquiring damaged homes or businesses in flood-prone areas, relocating the structures, and returning the property to open space, wetlands, or recreational uses; (f) identifying, utilizing, and refurbishing shelters and safe rooms to help protect people in their homes, public buildings, and schools in hurricane? and tornado-prone areas; (g) implementing a vital records program at all levels of government to prevent loss of crucial documents and records; (h) intelligence sharing and linkage leading to other law enforcement activities, such as infiltration of a terrorist cell to prevent an attack; (i) periodic remapping of hazard or potential hazard zones, using geospatial techniques; and (j) management of data regarding historical incidents to support strategic planning and analysis. (FEMA, National Incident Management System (FEMA 501/Draft), August 2007, pp. 21-22) (14) Activities designed to reduce or eliminate risks to persons or property or to lessen the actual or potential effects or consequences of a hazard. Mitigation involves ongoing actions to reduce exposure to, probability of, or potential loss from hazards. Examples include zoning and building codes, floodplain buyouts, and analysis of hazard-related data to determine where it is safe to build or locate temporary facilities. Mitigation can include efforts to educate governments, businesses and the public on measures they can take to reduce loss and injury. (HHS, Medical Surge Capacity and Capability Handbook, August 2004, p. D-7, Glossary). (15) Limitation of any negative consequence of a particular incident. (ISO 22399, Societal Security, 2007, 4). (16) In its simplest sense, mitigation is risk management. It is a term that we at FEMA use to describe actions that can be taken at the individual, local, State and Federal levels to reduce the overall risk from natural disasters. It is getting a handle on the costs of disasters in our society, including not only moneys, but also suffering and economic disruptions. (Krimm 1998)