Cathedral City Page 1 of 2 Printed on 11/6/2023
Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 3.2
Meeting Date: November 8, 2023
From: Michael Contreras, Fire Chief
Title: Update on and EOP Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City Council
RECOMMENDATION:
There is no council action needed. This report is informational only.
BACKGROUND:
Cathedral City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) was last revised in 2017 with a performance plan of 5 years. Staff identified the need for an update in November 2022 and have applied for a grant to cover the cost of updating the LHMP. The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) was completed in 2020, with updates to be completed every 3 years. Once the LHMP update is complete, we will move on to updating the EOP. The Accreditation process develops the department’s Strategic Plan, Standards of Coverage and Risk Assessment. These three documents will be used in the development of the EOP.
DISCUSSION:
The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) is a comprehensive plan that identifies all risk hazards, resources, capabilities and any ordinances or safety procedures within the city.
To be eligible for federal disaster funds it must be filed with FEMA. The LHMP is the who, what, and where of our resources. Hazard mitigation planning reduces loss of life and property by minimizing the impact of disasters. It begins with local governments identifying natural disaster risks and vulnerabilities that are common in their area. After identifying these risks, it develops long -term strategies for protecting people and property from similar events.
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) describes actions to be taken in response to natural, manmade, or national security hazards, detailing the tasks to be performed by specific agencies at projected times and locations based on established objectives, assumptions, and assessment of capabilities. The EOP is specific to Cathedral City and provides the who, what and how of our emergency response.
Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJLHMP) Is a countywide plan put together by County of Riverside that identifies risks and ways to minimize damage by natural and man-made disasters and has an annex that covers each of the jurisdictions.
Cathedral City Page 2 of 2 Printed on 11/6/2023
FISCAL IMPACT:
Currently, t here is no fiscal impact. Staff have been tracking hours spent working on grant applications and other applicable document preparation for this grant opportunity.
Staff has submitted a grant application to FEMA in the amount of $175,000 to cover the cost of the LHMP. Once Council has ratified the Local Hazardous Mitigation Plan (LHMP), we will update the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Action E-7 - Strengthen the City’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters by reviewing and updating the City’s Emergency Operations Plans through annual training sessions and tabletop exercises.