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Reducing Costs & Saving Lives Through Disaster Mitigation to be Subject of Hearing

Washington, DC, March 28, 2014 | Justin Harclerode (202) 225-9446
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Next week, a hearing of the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA), will hold a hearing on disaster mitigation and what local communities and individuals can do to reduce their risks, lower costs, and protect their homes and families.

Disaster mitigation includes actions taken to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.  Effective mitigation acts to minimize the potential loss from a disaster based on identifying and understanding the risks in a given area or community.  Mitigation can encompass a wide variety of activities including preparation and planning, elevating or moving structures prone to flooding, hardening structures to mitigate effects of hurricanes or earthquakes, and establishing building codes and zoning ordinances.  Mitigation against flooding, in particular, can reduce the risk of serious damage and can potentially help lower insurance premiums and other costs.

The hearing, entitled “Disaster Mitigation: Reducing Costs and Savings Lives,” is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2014 in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building.

Witness list:

  • Mr. David Miller, Associate Administrator for the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • The Honorable Linda Langston, Supervisor, Linn County, Iowa; President, National Association of Counties
  • Mr. Bryan Koon, Director, Florida Division of Emergency Management; on behalf of National Emergency Management Association
  • Mr. Chad Berginnis, Executive Director, Association of State Floodplain Managers

    • More information about the hearing, including testimony, additional background information, and link to live webcast, will be posted here as it becomes available. 

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