The Initiative
Project Impact is an initiative developed by FEMA Director James Lee Witt challenging the country to undertake actions that protect families, businesses and communities by reducing the effects of natural disasters. This initiative includes a national awareness campaign, the selection of pilot communities that demonstrate the benefits of hazard reduction through a partnership approach, and an outreach effort to businesses and communities using a new guidebook that offers a formula for a community or business to follow to become "disaster resistant."
Rationale
The increasing number and severity of natural disasters during the past decade underscore the need to take action to reduce the threat hurricanes, severe storms, earthquakes, floods and wildfires impose upon the economic stability and safety of citizens. As the Federal agency responsible for emergency management, FEMA is committed to reducing disaster losses by focusing the energy of businesses, citizens, and communities on the importance of reducing their inevitability to the impacts of natural disasters before they occur.
Primary Tenets
· Hazard reduction is a local issue. It is best addressed by a local partnership that involves government, businesses and private citizens.
· Private sector participation is essential. Disasters threaten the economic and commercial growth of our communities, villages and counties. Without the participation of the private sector, comprehensive solutions will not be developed. Government cannot solve these problems alone.
· Disaster losses will not be eliminated overnight.
Project Impact Guidebook
A guidebook has been developed to present the steps that a community can take to become "disaster resistant." It provides examples of the resources available to accomplish this goal. For more information on obtaining the guidebook, contact FEMA at 1-800-480-2520.
Project Impact is an initiative developed by FEMA Director James Lee Witt challenging the country to undertake actions that protect families, businesses and communities by reducing the effects of natural disasters. This initiative includes a national awareness campaign, the selection of pilot communities that demonstrate the benefits of hazard reduction through a partnership approach, and an outreach effort to businesses and communities using a new guidebook that offers a formula for a community or business to follow to become "disaster resistant."
The increasing number and severity of natural disasters during the past decade underscore the need to take action to reduce the threat hurricanes, severe storms, earthquakes, floods and wildfires impose upon the economic stability and safety of citizens. As the Federal agency responsible for emergency management, FEMA is committed to reducing disaster losses by focusing the energy of businesses, citizens, and communities on the importance of reducing their inevitability to the impacts of natural disasters before they occur.
· Hazard reduction is a local issue. It is best addressed by a local partnership that involves government, businesses and private citizens.
A guidebook has been developed to present the steps that a community can take to become "disaster resistant." It provides examples of the resources available to accomplish this goal. For more information on obtaining the guidebook, contact FEMA at 1-800-480-2520.
