1. PROJECT IMPACT Building Disaster-Resistant Communities

2. UNFORTUNATELY!!! Project Impact fell victim to politics and was discontinued under the leadership of FEMA’s new director, Joe Allbaugh However, there are still plenty of opportunities to pursue the same goals under FEMA’s Mitigation programs

3. Heavy Disaster Costs FEMA spent $20 billion responding to disasters in 49 states over past ten years Other federal agencies spent billions more State and local government, private sector and individuals also pay heavy costs

10. The Damage to Business is Real Structural loss Business interruption Community infrastructure loss Customer loss Community loss

11. Economic Toll from Disasters Businesses close People lose their jobs 40% of small businesses never open again

12. Project Impact- Working Together Building Partnerships Identifying Risks Prioritizing Needs Implementing Long-Term Plans To Protect Communities Community Information Sharing

13. Making Communities Disaster Resistant Strengthening Structures Homes Businesses Bridges Roads Public facilities: schools, hospitals

14. Examining Building Codes Strengthen codes to meet disaster risks of your community Restricting Building Areas Local measures to discourage building in floodplains or high risk areas Protecting At-Risk Structures Protect structures in floodplains or high risk areas Making Communities Disaster Resistant

15. PROJECT IMPACT is about cutting disaster costs. Taking Responsibility--Taking Action.

16. PROJECT IMPACT GOAL is to Make Each and Every Community Disaster-Resistant.

17. Americans Prepared Witt launches Project Impact at El Niño summit in Santa Monica in October ‘97 People took action Californians secured roofs, cleaned culverts and drains and elevated utilities and electrical panels

18. El Niño Prevention Pays Off Despite El Niño related storms and related severe weather, FEMA disaster-related costs remained level.

19. P R O J E C T I M P A C T A M o d e l f o r C o m m u n i t y A c t i o n

20. Where It Happens: At the Local Level 7 pilot Project Impact communities Over 100 communities by 1999.

21. Business Partners: Protecting Their Communities Business partners help to protect their company, employees, and community Goal to have 500 business partners by September Small, Medium and Large Companies...Home Depot, Bell Atlantic, Washington Mutual…. Contingency Planning Exchange Mentoring Program

22. Businesses Can Contribute-- What They Can Do. Responsibility to your Company Anheuser Busch Mitigation Efforts Responsibility to your Employees Michael Baker Associates - 10% or $50 off of flood insurance premium Responsibility to your Community Washington Mutual - loan program helps to protect their community

23. The Business Impact is Real at least An investment in mitigation gets 100% return -- at least.

24. The Anheuser-Busch Return Pre-disaster investment in mitigation efforts saved $300 million in Northridge Earthquake --15X cost of investment in mitigation.

25. 1 Building Partnerships 2 Assessing Risk 3 Prioritizing Needs 4 Keep Your Community Informed PROJECT IMPACT 4 Phases to a Disaster-Resistant Community

26. First Phase: Building Partnerships Organize A Disaster-Resistant Community Planning Committee Invite: business and industry public works and utilities volunteer/community groups government education, health care, workforce

27. Second Phase: Are You Vulnerable? Risk Assessment What are the community’s risks for natural disasters? What specific structures and areas are most vulnerable?

28. Third Phase: Taking Action Setting Priorities Identify mitigation priorities and take action Identify the measures you will take and do it! Identify and secure resources

29. Fourth Phase: It Takes Everyone! Communicate Your Progress Keep your community informed as you take actions Promote involvement of your partners Maintain support for your long-term initiatives

30. Deerfield Beach, FL., A Disaster Resistant Community Business Alliance meets to.… Has relocated critical city services into one disaster-resistant building Retrofitted school to serve as safe shelter Developed residential home retrofitting program to withstand threat of hurricanes

31. Where to Get Help Project Impact Resources Project Impact Guidebook Project Impact Brochure Project Impact Overview and “Changing the Way America Deals with Disasters” Video FEMA Technical Assistance Local Project Impact Coordinator Award Winning Website www.fema.gov 1-800-480-2520 Other Communities

32. Changing the Way America Deals with Disasters PROJECT IMPACT

33. Coastal Georgia’s PROJECT IMPACT Building Disaster-Resistant Communities

34. The IMPACT of a Natural Disaster Heavy Disaster costs: FEMA spent $20 billion responding to disasters in 49 states over past ten years. Businesses Shut Down: jobs lost, 43% of businesses will never reopen, 51% will fail within two years after the disaster = failure rate of 94%. Personal Toll: loss of loved ones, personal property destroyed, emotional scars.

35. The IMPACT of Hurricane Floyd Historically high evacuation rates in Florida, South Carolina, & Georgia: 300,000 people evacuated (about 65% of the population). An estimated 38,000 people went to shelters. 70 deaths; 117 million dollars in damage. GEMA Evacuation and Shelter Task Force formed in October. Georgia Hurricane Evacuation Study Focus Group conducting Human Behavior Analysis- Transportation Analysis.

36. PROJECT IMPACT: Building a Disaster Resistant Community Initiated by FEMA in 1997 with 7 pilot communities; now there are nearly 200 nationwide. Reduces the personal & economic loss caused by disasters through public/private partnerships. Protects us against the impacts of severe weather and man-made hazards. Saves lives and sustains jobs by preparing us BEFORE disaster strikes.

37. 1 Building Partnerships 2 Assessing Risk 3 Prioritizing Needs 4 Keep Your Community Informed PROJECT IMPACT 4 Phases to a Disaster-Resistant Community

38. First Phase: Building Partnerships Organize A Planning Committee Business & Industry: GA Power, Home Depot, Old South Protective Shuttering Company, Scana Energy, First Bank of Brunswick, TDS Telecom, Prime Outlet at Darien. Volunteer/Community Organizations: American Red Cross, Home Builders Associations. Federal & State Agencies: Kings Bay Navy Base, National Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, GEMA, DOT, DNR, DHR, NOAA/NWS. County & City Entities: County Commission, City Council, Planning/Zoning Departments, Emergency Management Directors, Emergency Medical Service Directors.

39. Second Phase: Where Are You Vulnerable? What are the community’s risks for natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, etc.)? What specific structures & areas have the potential for being a severe risk to life & property? Identify repetitive problems - learn from experience.

40. Third Phase: Setting Priorities & Taking Action Identify mitigation priorities & begin collaborating with your partners to draft an action plan. Identify the projects that will make a difference & implement them. Identify and secure resources.

41. Fourth Phase: It Takes Everyone! Communicate Your Progress Keep your community informed as you take actions: utilize the media - Newspaper, Radio, TV, Internet. Promote involvement of your partners. Maintain support for long-term initiatives.

42. Camden, Glynn, and McIntosh Counties: Designated 1998

43. The South Coastal Georgia PROJECT IMPACT Initiative

44. Current PROJECT IMPACT Activities 90,000 FREE TO THE PUBLIC tri-county storm surge maps, including a web site (gastormsurge.com) and sample CD ROM’s. Building 3 mobile demonstration homes. Public outreach: ARC pamphlets, Emergency Action Wheels, hosting PROJECT IMPACT booth at Blessing of the Fleet/Darien April 7-9 and Severe Weather Conference/Jekyll Island May 1-2. Hurricane Expo Summer of 2000

45. How To Become Disaster Resistant Support your local PROJECT IMPACT efforts by participating in meetings, public outreach projects, & risk reduction activities. Speak to your insurance agent about purchasing flood insurance for home and/or business. Have emergency preparedness kit ready for use at all times. Initiate a Business Continuity plan for your facility/workplace.

46. Where to Get More Information FEMA: 1-800-480-2520 or www.fema.gov - PROJECT IMPACT Guidebook, Brochure & Video. PROJECT IMPACT Coordinator- Nicole Cover, phone: 264-7363 x 220; fax: 262-2313; e-mail: ncover@gate.net. PROJECT IMPACT State Point of Contact. American Red Cross: Rita Brookshire, Emergency Services Director Other PROJECT IMPACT Communities

47. Our Community Needs You! Being prepared for a disaster could mean the difference between this... And this. So let’s lets GET READY TOGETHER!!!