From: Brianna Gustafson <bgustafson@...>
To: Brianna Gustafson <bgustafson@...>
Cc: Steve Allen <sallen@...>, "James M. Sager" <jsager@...>
Subject: Annual Hazard Mitigation Review Meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2021 21:54:15 +0000

Good afternoon,

Each year, the Jefferson County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management holds a meeting to evaluate the implementation of the projects and strategies listed in the county’s Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The public is invited to participate in this meeting which will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. The meeting is scheduled to convene at 3:00 P.M. and will be held virtually via Go-to-Meeting. More information can be found in the attached press release.

Thank you,

Brianna L. Gustafson
Administrative Assistant / Public Information Officer / Volunteer Coordinator
Jefferson County Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Office (304) 724-8914
Cell (304) 279-8135
Fax (304) 728-3320
Email: bgustafson@...

January 14, 2021 Brianna L. Gustafson, Public Information Officer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Office: 304-724-8914
Mobile: 304-279-8135
PRESS RELEASE
JEFFERSON COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN REVIEW MEETING

(Kearneysville, W.Va.) – Each year, the Jefferson County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management holds a meeting to evaluate the implementation of the projects and strategies listed in the county’s Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (which was drafted in 2018 by representatives of planning, zoning, building, code enforcement, public works, emergency management, police, fire, EMS, hospitals, health department, parks and recreation, environmental protection, county commission, mayors, and other representatives of local government and public agencies). The purpose of the mitigation plan is to identify risks and vulnerabilities from hazards that affect Jefferson County to prevent or reduce the loss of life and injury and to limit future damage costs by developing methods to mitigate or eliminate damage from various hazards. The 2018 plan is an update of the previously updated plan in 2013.

This plan was initiated in 2003 as a result of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, which required counties to formulate a hazard mitigation plan in order to be eligible for mitigation funds made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Robert T. Stafford Act requires that all states and local jurisdictions develop and submit mitigation plans. Mitigation planning regulations mandate jurisdictions to update the hazard mitigation plan every five years from the date of FEMA approval; this is essential for determining the effectiveness of programs, reflecting changes in the land development or programs affecting mitigation priorities. By updating the plan, local communities can also determine the strengths and weaknesses of the plan as well as identify necessary changes at local programmatic levels.

This plan is a requirement for the Community Rating System (CRS), which allows for reduced flood insurance rates (a 20% savings) for Jefferson County residents.

The public is invited to participate in the development and annual reviews of this plan. This year’s meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. The meeting is scheduled to convene at 3:00 P.M. and will be held virtually via Go-to-Meeting:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/256169309.

This meeting is expected to last approximately 2 hours. Please RSVP for this meeting via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-jefferson-county-all-hazards-mitigation-plan-review-meeting-tickets-135760245549.

For further information, you may contact our office at (304) 724-8914 or email us at jchsem@....
######
Jefferson County Homeland Security and Emergency Management
28 Industrial Blvd., Suite 101
Kearneysville, WV 25430