For years, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments (SLTTs) have looked to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to help fund projects that reduce risk and increase resilience following a major disaster declaration. Such projects often involve the construction of safe rooms, the installation of tornado sirens, dry floodproofing measures, and property acquisition/structure demolition, among other things. Interestingly, over the last ten years, FEMA has obligated nearly $100 million for 84 SLTT projects to support health and medical care facilities, i.e., lifelines, across the U.S. These projects include, but are certainly not limited to:
Generators for Critical Facilities – The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency awarded Texas County Memorial Hospital a grant to replace an existing 40-year-old generator to power critical facilities in the event of a disruption. The project amount was $60,000.
Structural Retrofitting of Existing Buildings – In the City of Wiggins, Mississippi, the police department was awarded a grant to harden its building from an estimated 90-mph wind load to a 140-mph one. The project amount was $250,000.
Flood Protection Projects – In New York, a project was awarded for the installation of connection points on the perimeter wall of the Metropolitan Hospital Center. This allowed the facility to access internal/external equipment for the restoration of essential services in the event of severe weather. The project amount was $5.2 million.
Public Education & Outreach – The hazard mitigation plans of SLTTs commonly list public education and awareness as one of their many mitigation projects, and FEMA may fund eligible activit