GREENFIELD — The city has received $9,375 from FEMA for disaster or emergency preparations.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency grant is for pre-disaster mitigation. It is a reimbursable grant program, so expenses have to be incurred and paid prior to being reimbursed.
The town would be reimbursed up to 75 percent of project costs, if it ever comes to pass.
Mayor William Martin said a committee has been formed for the update of Greenfield’s Local Multi-hazard Mitigation Plan. The committee will meet about once a month, beginning this month, until the plan update is completed.
Greenfield’s current plan is set to expire in 2019, Martin said. He said the Franklin Regional Council of Governments will be the consulting agency preparing the update.
FEMA and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency define hazard mitigation as “any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards, such as flooding, storms, high winds, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and other disasters.”
The two agencies say they believe mitigation efforts undertaken by towns and cities help minimize damages to buildings and infrastructures, including water supplies, sewers and utility lines, as well as natural, cultural and historic resources.
Cities and towns can save money and facilitate post-disaster funding by preparing a plan before a disaster occurs. Repairs, replacement and providing emergency services or rescue and recovery operations can be avoided or significantly lessened with a plan, said Martin.
Many disaster assistance agencies and programs require a community adopt such a plan as a condition for both mitigation funding and disaster-relief funding, including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Flood Mitigation Assistance Program and the Community Rating System.
For more information about the grant, contact Eric Twarog at the town’s Department of Planning & Development, 114 Main St. or call 413-772-1549.