Executive Order Number Thirty-Eight Establishing The State Of Delaware As A Disaster Resilient State Through A Comprehensive Mitigation Program Against Natural And Technological Hazards
WHEREAS, the State of Delaware, like all other states, is vulnerable to hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and other natural and technological disasters including terrorism and weapons of mass destruction that in the past have or could cause extensive loss of life and property, and severe disruption to essential human services; and
WHEREAS, the Stafford Act was recently amended by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 Section 322 (DMA2K) (P.L. 106-390) which provides new and revitalized approaches to mitigation planning and emphasizes the need for state, local, and tribal entities to closely coordinate mitigation planning and implementation efforts; and
WHEREAS, two-thirds of the population lives in a single county; and
WHEREAS, during warmer months, tourists who visit the state's 90 miles of coastline, often coming from other states, may not fully understand the potential for hazards associated with coastal weather-related disruptive events; and
WHEREAS, in the past ten years, disasters have caused the loss of lives, personal injuries and more than $49 million (in today's dollars) in property damage; and
WHEREAS, hurricane-associated storms alone have caused more than $29 million in agricultural loss; and
WHEREAS, billions of dollars worth of residential, commercial, and coastal property in Delaware are at risk from hurricanes and weather-related damages; and
WHEREAS, partnerships with all levels of government, the private sector, and the residents of Delaware can reduce the impact of future events through hazard mitigation planning; and
WHEREAS, compliance with the new mitigation plan requirements will position the State of Delaware to receive pre- and post-disaster mitigation funding.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RUTH ANN MINNER, ON THIS 28TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2003, DO HEREBY ORDER:
1. The State of Delaware’s initiative to improve disaster resistance and resilience will be led by the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA).
2. In cooperation with public and private partners, DEMA will work to demonstrate the benefits of taking specific, creative steps to help Delaware communities reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural and technological disasters.
3. DEMA shall create a Statewide Hazard Mitigation Council (the "Council"), comprised of representatives from all levels of government and the private sector to act as a steering committee to further develop and implement State and local hazard mitigation strategies.
4. DEMA shall identify state agencies and private sector entities responsible and accountable for implementing actions in each of the areas listed below. Executives with authority and accountability in these areas will be asked to help the Council develop a five-year strategic plan and a first-year action plan. The plan shall include the following areas:
a. Completing and periodically updating a state-wide risk and vulnerability assessment of its natural and technological hazards to include terrorism and weapons of mass destruction;
b. Developing partnerships with businesses to provide a public-private link, resulting in a coordinated approach across all phases of emergency management, including mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Partnerships should include critical businesses involved in recovery from natural and technological hazard events (e.g., financial, utilities, communications, food suppliers, and medical facilities) and those businesses that would impact the local and state economy;
c. Obtaining agreement to address relevant hazards and the risks they pose in any state-level land use decisions, including plans for state-owned property. The Council will also encourage municipalities to participate in the creation of county-level hazard mitigation plans that help guide day-to-day decision making;
d. Developing and sustaining local all-hazard mitigation plans that take into account state mitigation priorities;
e. Encouraging communities to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS) and improve the rating of those communities that currently participate. DEMA will provide technical assistance for the preparation of CRS applications;
f. Incorporating protective measures into public and private lifelines, infrastructure and critical facilities;
g. Developing and supporting existing and future programs to increase the public’s awareness of natural and technological hazards, including ways to reduce or prevent damage through a coordinated effort lead by the Statewide Hazard Mitigation Council;
h. Supporting the incorporation of natural hazard awareness and reduction programs into school curricula through appropriate means, including the use of the state Department of Education, state university system, community colleges, and other educational institutions;
i. Supporting mitigation training for county and municipal planners, developers, architects, engineers, surveyors, and other government and private sector professionals;
j. Encouraging the participation of government industry and professional organizations in this effort;
k. Identifying existing incentives and disincentives for hazard loss reduction initiatives, and developing and implementing new incentives to further this effort;
l. Encouraging the development of disaster resilient communities within the State through a collaborative partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
