Land Use Planning Matters: Planning for Disaster Resilient Communities approved for 3 CM credits
sponsored by the PA Chapter of the American Planning Association and the PA Local Government Training Partnership

Land Use Planning Matters: Planning for Disaster Resilient Communities brochure>>

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Today, it’s too risky NOT to consider hazard mitigation and disaster resiliency, especially with hazard mitigation being an essential component of site planning, comprehensive planning, stormwater management and numerous other planning practices.  Building resilient communities is not just a product of emergency management and emergency services personnel, but also a responsibility of planners as they assist communities with comprehensive planning and development of and updates to zoning and subdivision and land development ordinances.  The session will cover details on creating a hazard mitigation plan, as well as, a review on how to incorporate emergency management and emergency services planning in other municipal plans and ordinances.  A key concept of the training will be how to ensure that land use and community planners and emergency management personnel/emergency responders are coordinating their efforts. 

The training will use Pennsylvania specific case studies and examples to convey relevant information to attendees.  There will also be focus on issues prominent to each geographic area of the state as different areas of the state are at higher risk to certain hazards.  Where relevant, the training will also incorporate information on emergency response related to shale drilling activities.  The presenters will review tools, resources, and guidance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to help you match resources to their challenges.  You will be invited to build on the discussion by sharing your own success stories and current challenges.  Take home skills and tips will assist you with Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants, benefit-cost analysis, web-based outreach, and resources for hazard and risk GIS analysis.  This session will provide you with practical take-home tools to build resiliency and mitigate hazards reflective of their unique communities. 

The target audience for this training session includes professional planners and elected officials, municipal staff, emergency management personnel, and citizen planners who are well-versed in planning and seeking advanced information on hazard mitigation planning and emergency management to improve the safety and resiliency of residents and business for current and future hazard risks. There will be ample opportunities for Q&A during the session.