Hazard Mitigation, FEMA
Communities use the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) process to identify and prioritize hazards and threats, targets, and resource requirements. Use the three step THIRA process to identify the targets in your community.
Write a 3- to 4-page paper that applies the four-step THIRA process in the textbook to your community.
Sample Solution
Step 1 – Hazard Identification: The first step in the THIRA process is to identify hazards and threats. In my community, some of the main hazards and threats include natural disasters such as floods and storms, impacts from climate change (e.g., rising temperatures or sea level changes), public health emergencies (e.g., pandemics or outbreaks), social unrest due to race or income disparities, cyber security issues, and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Step 2 – Risk Assessment:
The second step in the THIRA process is to assess risk associated with each identified hazard/threat. For instance, if a flood was identified as a threat to my community, we would need to assess its potential impact on people’s lives, businesses operations, transportation networks, etc., as well as determine how likely it is that this event could actually occur given current conditions in the area. Similarly for other hazards/threats listed above such as public health emergencies or cyber security issues – we would need to consider their likelihood of occurrence and their potential impacts on our community should they occur.
Step 3 - Target Identification:
The third step in the THIRA process requires identifying targets within the community which could be adversely affected by any of these risks or hazards being present. Here are some examples of possible targets: residential areas (which may be prone to flooding), hospitals or other healthcare facilities (which may be vulnerable during pandemics), utility grids (which may be compromised by cyber-attacks), schools (which may sustain damage during major storms). Other targets could include government buildings such as city hall and other administrative offices; financial institutions; food establishments; cultural sites; retail outlets; transportation hubs etc.. Depending on which hazard/threat is most likely in a given scenario these would inform which target might need greater attention than others when mitigating risk through appropriate planning measures such as disaster preparedness plans etc..
Step 4 - Resource Requirements :
The fourth step involves determining what resources are needed for mitigating against each particular risk/hazard associated with each target population identified prior. Resources can range from personnel and equipment needs like search & rescue teams equipped with boats/helicopters during floods; additional medical staff and supplies during an outbreak ; firewalls & antivirus software installations at critical infrastructures like power grids ,etc . Additionally capital investments into things like building levees for riverfront homes subject to flooding , weatherproofing windows at schools so they can withstand storm forces , investing into early warning systems along coastlines so people can evacuate quickly if necessary , etc . Some resources will have a price tag attached while there may also exist free resources like volunteer groups willing & able lend help during times of crisis .