State Mandate Influences on FEMA-Approved Hazard-Mitigation Plans Under the Disaster Management Act of 2000.

This study is an evaluation of hazard-mitigation plans approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) using the requirements of the Disaster Management Act of 2000 (DMA2K). The study investigates whether or not there are significant differences in the mitigation action plans (MAPs) developed by jurisdictions from states with existing planning mandates in their comprehensive plans prior to DMA2K and those without existing planning mandates. The requirements of such plans include collaboration with several entities, public information and awareness, evacuation, sheltering, provision for special needs populations, terrorism, and technological hazards. The findings from the t-test analysis show there is no significant difference in plans with or without mandates. Results also suggest the need for FEMA to further scrutinize and review the approval process criteria to reflect the inclusion of these identified elements before plans are approved. Such scrutiny could lead to improved plans and subsequently lead to a reduction of impacts of hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]/nCopyright of World Medical & Health Policy is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)