Connecticut State Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Hazard Mitigation and Resiliency

Overview
Hazard Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. Connecticut implements its mitigation program with a combination of planning and financial assistance to municipalities to mitigate the effects of a natural or man-made disasters.  Hazard mitigation is handled by the DEMHS Hazard Mitigation Unit; to contact Hazard Mitigation Unit click here. The Hazard Mitigation Unit collaborates with the units that handle disaster recovery, community preparedness and planning to implement a comprehensive hazard mitigation program in Connecticut.

 

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Funding Opportunities:

FEMA’s two competitive mitigation grant programs provide states, local communities, tribes and territories funding to address high-level future risks to natural disasters such as wildfires, drought, hurricanes, earthquakes, extreme heat, and increased flooding to foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster suffering.

Hazard Mitigation funding in Connecticut consists mainly of federal funds administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

This program provides funding to reduce or prevent damage from natural disasters such as flooding and high winds. HMGP funding is available following a presidentially declared disaster.

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. BRIC is a new FEMA pre-disaster hazard mitigation program that replaces the existing Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program.

This program provides funding to States, Territories, federally-recognized tribes and local communities for projects and planning that reduces or eliminates long-term risk of flood damage to structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program NFIP. FMA funding is also available for management costs.

 

 
 

 

Hazard Mitigation Planning:

Hazard Mitigation planning occurs at both the state and the local level. The Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP), last adopted in 2019 is required by federal law. The Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) works collaboratively with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in the development of this plan. For more information on Hazard Mitigation Planning Topics, click here.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Training and Resources

DEMHS Hazard Mitigation and Resiliency Unit staff are available for any questions or training requests regarding FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. There are numerous online and in-person training opportunities available for local, state, and other eligible sub-applicants to learn about Hazard Mitigation, finding the appropriate grant, conducting a benefit cost analysis, managing the grant, and more. For more information on Training and Resources for Hazard Mitigation, click here.

Please contact the DEMHS Hazard Mitigation and Resiliency Unit by emailing DEMHS.HMGP@ct.gov.