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The Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) is a unified, coordinated effort among County and municipal governments to reduce the county's vulnerability to the impacts of identified natural and man-made hazards. Among its primary missions, the Strategy serves as a basis for comprehensive mitigation planning, project identification and prioritization, and provides assistance to project sponsors in securing and allocating available federal, state, local and other disaster mitigation assistance funds. LMS projects cover a range of topics including major drainage improvement projects, hardening of public structures, Emergency Operation Center purchases, etc. At any particular time, the LMS has 150 to 200 community mitigation projects on its Prioritized Project List. While some of these projects may eventually be self-funded by sponsoring communities, many will require outside financial assistance in order to be completed. By virtue of being on the LMS Prioritized Project List, each project potentially qualifies for funding assistance consideration though a variety of mitigation assistance programs. Projects typically involve a combination of outside and local funding in line with matching guidelines established by the assistance program. The LMS closely adheres to guidelines and criteria provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Florida Department of Community Affairs. A Steering Committee, made up of 15 representatives of county and municipal government, not-for-profit organizations and the private sector, serves as the policy body and advises and assists in the administration and oversight of LMS activities and initiatives. A Flood Mitigation Technical Advisory Committee, comprised of public and private sector engineers and other flood experts, is charged with assessing flood risks and developing strategies and projects to reduce future losses. The committee focuses on flood basins without regard to jurisdictional boundaries and involves community interests as project recommendations are developed. A seven person Evaluation Panel comprised of combination of LMS Steering Committee members and community agency representatives is charged with reviewing and scoring projects as a basis for prioritization. A Subcommittee of the LMS serves as the outreach, education and mutual assistance arm of the Community Rating System, focusing on flood awareness and education. The Recovery & Mitigation section of Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management provides administrative and technical support to the LMS and serves as the primary liaison with state and federal offices on LMS matters. The LMS Steering Committee meets a minimum of two times a year (Spring & Fall) to adopt updated prioritized project lists, discuss relevant mitigation issues, and plan and evaluate community initiatives and strategies. These meetings are open to the public. Schedules, agendas and meeting summaries can be obtained by calling (561) 712-6325. For More InformationA detailed description of the Palm Beach County's LMS program and the current Prioritized Project List can be accessed at Palm Beach County Department of Public Safety. LMS Steering Committee contact information can be obtained by calling (561) 712-6400. |
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