20-3154 Adopting 2020-2025 Local Mitigation Strategy

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Introduction Mitigation is any action taken to permanently reduce or eliminate the risk to people and their property from the effects of hazards. The key to successful hazard vulnerability reduction through mitigation is to implement a well -conceived planning process. The LMS Working Group was established to encourage the public, private, and non-profit sectors of the community to become more resistant to the impacts of future disasters. The LMS Working Group has been tasked with a comprehensive evaluation of the vulnerabilities of Seminole County for all -hazards in order to identify ways to make the community more resilient to the impacts of disasters. Purpose The primary purpose of the LMS is to establish an on-going process that encourages hazard mitigation as part of a daily routine for Seminole County. The LMS process encouraged Seminole County to assess its vulnerabilities to all types of hazards; identify a comprehensive list of goals, objectives, plans, programs and projects in order to decrease or eliminate the effects of the identified vulnerabilities; and then prioritize the implementation of the selected initiatives. Planning Process The LMS Working Group is comprised of all local government agencies within Seminole County, business leaders, community organizations, inter -faith groups, healthcare facilities, school board personnel and citizens. On a periodic basis, the LMS Working Group solicits the continuing involvement in mitigation planning by each jurisdiction in Seminole County. Jurisdictions are encouraged to identify agencies and organizations that should represent the jurisdiction on the LMS Working Group. Written solicitation was issued by Seminole County's Office of Emergency Management to local jurisdictions, adjacent counties, and community organizations to attend a LMS Planning Team Kick -Off Meeting on March 28, 2019. Subsequent meetings were held on April 25th, June 13th, July 25th, August 22"d, and September 11th, 2019. Organizations not directly associated with the state, regional or local governments, such as large businesses and volunteer agencies and the public are solicited on an annual basis to join the planning process, as well as through periodic public information efforts through the LMS Working Group. Organizations that respond and attend the meetings are considered to be participants in the Seminole County LMS Planning Process and requested to engage in the meetings and planning activities necessary to develop, maintain and implement the plan. An important part of the planning process is the review and research of historical events, current conditions, and current plans. These resources help to build the background for the risk assessment of each hazard and assist the planning team with updating the mitigation plan. Resources used in the planning process for this plan include: FEMA — National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating System 4