The City of Oakland and representatives from private businesses and community-based organizations, have formed a partnership with the State of California and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. That partnership has pledged to take actions and adopt measures which will make Oakland a Project Impact disaster resistant community. Together, these partners will work to set priorities and take the actions that are necessary to ensure that Oakland is better prepared for and less likely to suffer from the effects of a natural disaster.

These partners have pledged to work together to employ a local loss reduction strategy based on the natural hazards within the city and the risks these hazards pose to buildings, utilities and transportation systems. Many elements of this mitigation strategy are put forth in the City of Oakland's Partnership for a SAFE Oakland (Project SAFE) program

The partners in this combined initiative have made the following commitments:

Formation of a Partnership Council: The Mayor of Oakland will lead a Partnership Council, comprised of leaders from the City, other government agencies, community-based organizations, business and industry, the Governor's office and FEMA Region IX to lead Project Impact activities.

City-wide Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment: The information from these studies will be used to identify the most vulnerable areas, based on populations at risk. Priority areas will be established and targeted for loss reduction actions.

Establish a Model Home/Business Strengthening Program and a Public Education Outreach Campaign: The partners will work with the financial community to develop and conduct building strengthening education and training programs for residents. One of the programs will include a tool lending program. A model home/business strengthening workforce will be developed using business resources, youth outreach, welfare reform recipients and volunteers to do minor retrofit and non-structural hazard reduction.

Comprehensive Study: The City's utilities and infrastructure will be subject to a comprehensive study to determine their vulnerability to storms. The highest priorities that are identified in the study will be implemented. The study results will assist in the development of a long-term loss reduction plan for the City of Oakland.

Coordination of Project SAFE Activities: Project SAFE seeks to establish the private and public sector's capacity to build community understanding, cooperation and support to carry out long-term risk reduction projects for at least the next two years.Project SAFE is the local component of Project Impact.