1. Developing and Promoting Mitigation Best Practices and Case Studies
Communication Strategy

2. Communication Strategy: What is it?
A cooperative agreement initiative of the
Mitigation Division
Office of Public Affairs
Recovery Division
Includes the Federal Coordinating Officers and the Community Relations Staff
The strategy is flexible and can be also used during a non-declaration period
Simplifies the documentation procedures for mitigation best practices and case studies

3. Purpose Develop and Promote Mitigation Best Practices and Case Studies
Increase public awareness of effective mitigation strategies
Compel communities, individuals and businesses to take action
Provide examples of mitigation actions or projects that have been tested.
• Illustrate how mitigation works to reduce loss of life and property.

4. Best Practices
Tell a story and generally use a human- interest approach to document a variety of mitigation methods that have resulted in reducing impacts from natural and man-made disasters.
Story topic should reflect FEMA/State or Local mitigation strategies for the current event.
Usually a one page format with accompanying photos/artwork and facts.

5. Case Studies
Provide a greater in-depth, technical and/or statistical look at effective mitigation practices
Study topic should reflect FEMA/State or Local mitigation strategies for the current event.
Previous HMGP projects for the declared area are frequently good subject material for case studies; the project probably has been tested by the current event and the performance can be analyzed.
Costs avoided or actual dollars saved may be quantifiable. This information further supports the value of the mitigation project.
Decisions regarding case study development are made by Mitigation staff at the Disaster Field Office, regional and headquarters levels.

6. Strategy Mitigation and Public Affairs Office joint initiative
Utilize Disaster Field Office, Federal and State Resources
Formalize the process
Provide objectives, criteria, key messages, delivery plan, resources
Includes step-by-step Roles & Responsibilities for pre-declaration, declaration and post disaster phases
Mitigation and Public Affairs partnership utilizing unique expertise and skills to develop the product.
Takes a multi-hazard approach.
Refines the “success story” concept.

7. Pre-Declaration
Includes the period that precedes a presidential disaster declaration and encompasses activities that occur in a Regional Office, at the site of a disaster event, in a Regional Operations Center and/or in an Interim Operating Facility
These activities also include those that occur in non-disaster environment.
Refer to charts in the Communication Strategy document

8. Declaration
Includes the period following a presidential disaster declaration, and encompasses activities that occur in a Regional Office, at the site of a disaster event, in a Regional Operations Center and/or in an Interim Operating Facility to and through operation of a Disaster Field Office.
Refer to charts in Communication Strategy document.

9. Declaration (continued)
Continuation of chart in Communication Strategy document

10. Post-Declaration
Includes the period following the closure of a Disaster Field Office as activities transition back to a Regional Office and to the state.
Refer to flowcharts in Communication Strategy document

11. Implementation
Provides format and template for national consistency of documenting mitigation best practices
Standard Operating Procedure
Federal Coordinating Officer Operational priorities
Sample forms and suggestions are included on the Communication Strategy Toolkit CD – FEMA 479-CD/September 2004
Review the FCO/SCO action plan; Best Practices & Case Studies should be identified as a priority.

12. Implementation (continued)
Disaster Field Office based orientation and training
Inclusion in Mitigation and Public Affairs Office cadre training
Coordinate with DFTO to present an overview of the Mitigation Best Practices and Case Studies Communication Strategy to the DFO staff.
Orienting the DFO staff to the strategy will assist with the identification of potential best practices.

13. Best Practices and Case Studies webpage: www.fema.gov/fima/bp.shtm
will be promoted by Mitigation and Public Affairs Office staff in partnership with local, state and private sector partners.
will be included in a national, accessible portfolio of Mitigation Best Practices and Case Studies that appeals to a variety of audiences.
Best Practices and Case Studies webpage:
Reviewing the existing Best Practices on the FEMA/FIMA website provides good ideas for identifying mitigation best practices and formatting a story.

14. Developing and Promoting Mitigation Best Practices and Case Studies
Communication Strategy