Pierce County Department of Emergency Management has completed the Region 5 (County-Wide) Hazard Mitigation Plan encompassing 48 jurisdictions. This multi-jurisdictional plan includes cities and towns, school districts, universities, fire districts and special purpose districts such as utilities and the Port of Tacoma.

Planning Team Members conducted two Elected Official Meetings during the project. This part of the process allowed for the jurisdiction's elected officials to be updated on the process while gaining their support and subsequent adoption of the Plan.

The Planning Groups have developed Profile Sections of the Plan. Infrastructure and population have been identified that could be impacted by hazards in the Region. Each Profile section contains the base map for that jurisdiction.

Over 1200 pieces of infrastructure in the County have been assessed. Planning Team members visited every jurisdiction in the planning effort and identified their specific hazard vulnerability as it applies to their specific infrastructure.

The Planning Groups have developed Risk Assessments for each jurisdiction. Hazards have been identified in the Region and the impacts of each jurisdiction to these hazards have been assessed. Included within each jurisdiction's Risk Assessments are the hazard maps for that jurisdiction.

The Planning Groups held a series of Public Information Meetings during 2007-2008 to discuss the Region 5 Hazard Mitigation Plan. There were a total of sixteen public information meetings conducted throughout the County. The draft profiles and risk assessments were presented to the public at the first meeting and the mitigation strategies at the second meeting.

Early in 2007 the Planning Groups discussed their various capabilities that already exist within their organizations and developed Capability Identification Sections. This is where existing plans and procedures were assessed for the capabilities they lend to future mitigation strategies.

In summer 2007 the Planning Groups revisited the original goals as outlined for the project and identified Mitigation Objectives that are specific and measurable to meet those goals. With objectives identified, Planning Team members developed and prioritized specific Mitigation Measures for their jurisdiction in order to reduce their overall hazard vulnerabilities.

In late 2007 the final processes took place to complete the Plan and the ensuing documentation. The Planning Team worked to fill in any gaps and to make certain all requirements were met according to the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMAK 2000).

In early 2008 the Planning Team completed the final documentation for the Plan and in late April the final document was submitted to Washington State Emergency Management Department for the first required review. Upon receiving approval from the State, the Plan was forwarded to Federal Emergency Management Agency in September 2008 and final approval was received in November 2008. Each jurisdiction then proceded to adopt their respective plans.

As of June, 2009, almost all of the 48 plans have been adopted by their respective Elected Officials making their communities and organizations more resilient in times of disaster and allowing them the opportunity to apply for pre-disaster and post-disaster Mitigation Grants.

Questions are welcome and encouraged to any of the project team listed below.