VI. Mitigation Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Projects

Using the findings from the risk assessment and the capabilities assessment as a guide the Core Planning Team developed the following mitigation goals, objectives, and strategies for implementation. Goals and objectives were developed in a working session with the Core Planning Team with a period provided for comment and revision. Once the final goals and objectives were determined the Core Planning Team met again to develop the mitigation strategies that would aid the county in meeting the goals and objectives identified in the plan. Strategies were selected using the information obtained from the capabilities assessment, which identified existing programs and shortfalls related to mitigation activities.

The following goals, objectives, and strategies apply to each of the municipalities and Jefferson County unless otherwise specified in this section or the following discussion on plan implementation.

Goal 1: Improve upon the protection of the citizens of Jefferson County from all natural and man-made hazards.

Objective 1.1: Develop and distribute public awareness materials about natural hazard risks, preparedness, and mitigation.

Strategy 1.1.1: Create displays for use at public events (health fair, public awareness day, and county fair).

· Project: To develop a "how to" mitigation display that can be used at special events. This display would include pictures and information, such as that contained in FEMA's Retrofitting for Homeowners Guide, Elevating Your Flood prone Home, Elevating Residential Structures, and Information on the NFIP.

· Project: To develop an Animals In Disaster Display that will be used at 4-H Clubs, Agricultural Fair, in Veterinarians Offices and other places that animal owners may gather. The display will have information about preparing animals for disasters by making a disaster plan and a disaster supply kit for each animal. The display will encourage animal owners to decide ahead of time where animals will be sheltered and to familiarize them with the County's Animals in Disaster Annex of the Emergency Operations Plan.

· Project: To develop a Business Continuity Planning Display. The display will be designed to raise the awareness level of WHY it is important to have a Business Continuity Plan, how to develop a plan, and will encourage businesses to make sure that their plan fits in with the County's plan. This display will be appropriate for use at local Chamber of Commerce meetings and activities, civic group gatherings and other business-related gatherings.

· Project: Create displays for children's programs that teach safety. Examples of information to be used would be similar to that on the FEMA for Kids CD and/or the Sparky Fire Safety Program.

Strategy 1.1.2: Create materials that are targeted towards tourist population.

· Project: Work with the Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the US Park Service and others to alert tourists to potential natural hazard areas and what to do if a natural or man-made hazard occurs during their visit to Jefferson County. This would include brochures to be left in the visitors’ center, hotels and attractions about evacuation routes, sheltering information, etc.

Strategy 1.1.3: Utilize the media for the distribution and publication of hazard information.

· Project: Send news releases to local newspapers, radio and TV stations about pre-disaster information. Design to reach all areas of Jefferson County.

Strategy 1.1.4: Create a public speaking series on hazard related topics.

· Project: Public Speaking series to include topic such as types of natural disasters and risks, how to develop a family disaster plan, how to develop a family disaster supply kit, how to develop a business continuity plan, simple types of mitigation projects for homeowners, etc. These speaking engagements will be offered to civic groups such as Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, the Chamber of Commerce, Church and interfaith groups, etc.

Strategy 1.1.5: Ensure that the Red Cross citizen’s disaster course is held on a frequent basis.

· Project: The American Red Cross will hold a variety of courses, including: Adult and Child CPR, Basic First Aid, Introduction to Disaster Services, Mass Care, Shelter Operations and others at the Red Cross Office and at other locations throughout the County.

Strategy 1.1.6: Update the county website to provide hazard related information that is easily accessible.

· Project: The County Commission website has information about disaster preparedness and related activities. The plan is to expand and update the website as needed and as appropriate in a timely manner to benefit all County residents.

Strategy 1.1.7: Continue to work with the Jefferson County school system to promote hazard mitigation education and awareness and discuss ways to better integrate mitigation into the curriculum.

· Project: OES and representatives of the Jefferson County Board of Education to hold meetings to find ways to integrate hazard mitigation into programs such as the science curriculum, math and other subjects.

Strategy 1.1.8: Continue to work with non-governmental organizations (youth, service, professional, religious) to promote mitigation education and awareness.

· Project: Speaking and holding workshops about hazard mitigation and family disaster planning with the boys and girls clubs, scouting organizations, Good Shepherd Interfaith Care Givers, the Parish Nurses from all County churches, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs.

Objective 1.2: Target owners of properties within identified hazard areas for additional outreach regarding mitigation and disaster preparedness.

Strategy 1.2.1: Distribute letters to all property owners in the county regarding potential flood hazards as required for participation in the Community Rating System (CRS).

· Project: Distribution of letters to ALL property owners-all areas of Jefferson County. The content of the letters would have the following information: The local flood hazard, flood safety, flood insurance information, property protection measures, the natural and beneficial functions of the local floodplain, a map of the local flood hazard area, information about NOAA Weather radios used for local weather warnings, floodplain development permit requirements and substantial improvement/damage requirements.

Strategy 1.2.2: Establish all-hazard resource centers to be located in the main office of the county and cities. The centers will act as a repository for information on local hazard identification, preparedness, and mitigation strategies for use by citizens, realtors, and lenders.

· Project: Establish resource centers in the County Courthouse, Ranson City Hall, Charles Town City Hall, Harpers Ferry City Hall, Sheperdstown City Hall and Bolivar Community Center, as well as in the Courthouse and local libraries. Centers would display information about the National Flood Insurance Program, Flood Insurance Rate Maps, books about mitigation for homeowners, the Are You Ready Guide, Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage, Seeking Shelter from the Storm Books, etc.

Strategy 1.2.3: Continue to hold local course on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for realtors, bankers, and insurers.

· Project: Work with representatives of the NFIP to hold courses in Jefferson County to be attended from all areas of Jefferson County.

Objective 1.3: Evaluate existing shelters to determine adequacy for current and future populations.

Strategy1.3.1: Ensure that all shelters have adequate emergency power resources.

· Project: To work with the American Red Cross towards upgrading all shelter resources. These shelters to include: Jefferson County Sr. Center, Charles Town Middle School, Jefferson County High School, Harpers Ferry Junior High School, Shepherdstown Jr. High School, Asbury United Methodist Church, Covenant Baptist Church, and the St. Thomas Lutheran Church. Also any new shelters that the Red Cross may establish in the future. This will include shelters in all areas of Jefferson County.

Strategy 1.3.2: Establish a protocol for the sharing of annual shelter survey information between the local Red Cross chapter and the Jefferson County OES.

· Project: Jefferson County Red Cross and Jefferson County OES to hold an annual work session to share information about local shelters. Information to include the site of each shelter, how many people it can house and feed, if it has back-up power available on site, completed site survey forms and types of resources that they have or that they need. This will benefit all areas of Jefferson County in the event of the need to open shelters.

Strategy 1.3.3: Develop adequate emergency shelter and evacuation plans for animals (domestic pets, livestock, and wildlife).

· Project: Establish a committee representative of all areas of the County that will include vets, pet store owners, the Humane Society, animal shelters, the WVU Extension Service and other interested parties to work on animal-specific evacuation and sheltering needs.

Strategy 1.3.4: Increase education and awareness about shelter-in-place opportunities.

· Project: OES Director to develop and deliver information to all county residents, through community groups and/or publications, information on how to shelter in place and when it is appropriate to do so.

Objective 1.4: Ensure adequate training and resources for emergency organizations and personnel.

Strategy 1.4.1: Teach Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes in Jefferson County.

· Project: To teach CERT classes to interested citizens in Jefferson County to assist first responders at specified emergencies throughout the county. Project Impact Coordinator to take the CERT Train the Trainer Course to assist with training in the County. Additional trainers need to attend future Train the Trainer Courses.

Strategy 1.4.2: Increase the number of trained citizen emergency responders.

· Project: To meet with groups of potential volunteers to attempt increase the number of trained responders for: All County Fire Departments, doctors and nurses who may become first responders in a bio-terrorism event, EMS personnel, etc. Will benefit all areas of Jefferson County.

Strategy 1.4.3: Conduct annual tabletop disaster exercises with local law enforcement, emergency managers, city and county officials, and other disaster response agencies.

· Project: OES Director to develop and manage disaster exercises in various areas of the county. Types of exercises to include: Flood exercise, Weapons of Mass Destruction Exercise, Hazardous Materials Spill Exercise, High Winds, Winter Storm and Bio-Terrorism Exercise.

Strategy 1.4.4: Provide information about local, regional, state, and federal training opportunities to fire departments, EMS, ambulance services, and other emergency responders.

· Project: Develop a list of training opportunities that are available and to distribute the list to all local emergency responders. Will benefit all areas of Jefferson County.

Strategy 1.4.5: Continue to conduct National Weather Service Storm Spotter classes.

· Projects: To partner with the National Weather Service to provide training to people throughout Jefferson County on Storm Spotting in the areas of Flooding, High Winds, Basic I and Basic II.

Goal 2: Reduce the current and future risks from hazards in Jefferson County.

Objective 2.1: Direct new development away from high hazard areas.

Strategy 2.1.1: Review existing regulations to ensure adequacy in reducing the amount of future development in identified hazard areas.

· Project: County Planning Office and Municipal Planning Offices in Bolivar, Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, Shepherdstown and Ranson to review regulations pertaining to their jurisdiction to make sure that adequate zoning regulations are in place to reduce future development in high hazard areas in their jurisdiction.

Strategy 2.1.2: Review all comprehensive plans to ensure that designated growth areas are not in hazard areas.

· Project: County Planning Office and Municipal Planning Offices in Bolivar, Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, Shepherdstown and Ranson to review their comprehensive plans to ensure that designated growth areas are not in high hazard areas identified in this plan.

Strategy 2.1.3: Review all capital improvement plans to ensure that infrastructure improvements are not directed towards hazardous areas.

· Project: County and Municipal Offices in Bolivar, Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, Shepherdstown and Ranson to review their capital improvement plans to ensure that programmed infrastructure improvements are not in high hazard areas.

Objective 2.2: Evaluate and update existing floodplain ordinances to meet or exceed the NFIP standards.

Strategy 2.2.1: Work with the municipalities to update all floodplain ordinances adopted prior to 1987.

· Project: County and Municipalities of Bolivar, Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, Shepherdstown and Ranson to review and update their floodplain ordinances to be sure that they are in full compliance with the NFIP.

Objective 2.3: Improve the enforcement of existing floodplain regulations.

Strategy 2.3.1: Provide additional training to county and municipal development officials on NFIP requirements.

· Project: For local OES to arrange with State OES to hold training sessions with the County and the municipalities of Charles Town, Ranson, Shepherdstown, Bolivar and Harpers Ferry on the NFIP.

Objective 2.4: Ensure that flood insurance policies remain affordable through county and municipal government programs.

Strategy 2.4.1: Support Jefferson County’s efforts to enter the CRS program.

· Project: Prepare a CRS application for the County for entry into the Community Rating System.

Strategy 2.4.2: Provide training to municipalities on the CRS program and encourage them to participate.

· Project: To educate municipal leaders in Ranson, Harpers Ferry, Bolivar, Shepherdstown and Charles Town about the CRS, what it is and encourage their participation in the program.

Goal 3: Improve emergency preparedness in Jefferson County and its incorporated municipalities.

Objective 3.1: Update emergency operations plan (EOP).

Strategy 3.1.1: Review the existing Jefferson County EOP and update where necessary based on the recommendations of the Jefferson County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

· Project: Review and update all annexes of the Jefferson County Emergency Operations Plan. Include participation form all municipalities in update process.

Strategy 3.1.2: Ensure that the county and all municipalities adopt the revised EOP.

· Project: After EOP is updated, meet with leaders in Bolivar, Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown, Charles Town and Ranson to be sure that they formally adopt the updated EOP.

Objective 3.2: Improve coordination and communication among disaster response organizations, local, and county governments.

Strategy 3.2.1: Expand the mission and membership of the Jefferson County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) to act as a countywide disaster task force.

· Project: Jefferson County LEPC is representative of all jurisdictions of the County. The project is to expand their mission to include other disaster planning and response activities.

Objective 3.3: Update equipment at the E911 Communications Center.

Strategy 3.3.1: Develop a plan to implement the Needs Assessment recommendations developed by the Public Safety System Consultant.

· Project: Plan development to update the center or to build and equip a new center.

Goal 4: Reduce the potential impact of natural and man-made disasters on private property.

Objective 4.1: Encourage participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Strategy 4.1.1: Conduct outreach efforts to educate municipalities about the NFIP and its requirements.

· Project: Local and State to educate the municipal leaders of Ranson, Charles Town, Shepherdstown, Bolivar and Harpers Ferry and county leaders about the National Flood Insurance Program and its requirements.

Strategy 4.1.2: Obtain updated information on the number of NFIP policyholders in Jefferson County and its municipalities.

· Project: To work with WVOES and FEMA to obtain updated NFIP policyholder information within Jefferson County and the municipalities of Charles Town, Ranson, Bolivar, Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown.

Objective 4.2: Develop public/private partnerships toward the protection of private properties.

Strategy 4.2.1: Continue to support initiatives established under the Jefferson County Project Impact.

· Project: Identify other offices/agencies within the count to transfer Project Impact programs to in the event that the office and the coordinator are no longer funded after the grant period is over.

Strategy 4.2.2: Evaluate the feasibility of the continuation of a funded Project Impact Coordinator position in Jefferson County.

· Project: Identify potential funding sources outside of the County to continue a program of building and maintaining community partnerships, planning, public awareness and education and mitigation and preparedness.

Objective 4.3: Identify all repetitive loss structures throughout the county.

Strategy 4.3.1: Collect updated information of the number and location of all repetitive loss properties throughout the county and the municipalities.

· Project: To work with FEMA and WVOES to get updated repetitive loss information on properties in the County and in the municipalities of Ranson, Shepherdstown, Bolivar, Harpers Ferry and Charles Town in order to plan future mitigation activities.

Strategy4.3.2: Develop a database of information on all repetitive loss properties including maps.

· Project: Development of a data base in existing hazard GIS system of all repetitive loss properties in the County and in Bolivar, Ranson, Charles Town, Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown to be used in future mitigation activities.

Strategy 4.3.3: Identify owners of repetitive loss properties who are interested in participating in future property acquisition and relocation projects.

· Project: When funds become available for hard mitigation projects, we plan to hold a series of public meetings with the owners of repetitive loss properties in high risk areas of Ranson, Shepherdstown, Harpers Ferry, Charles Town and Bolivar. These meetings will also be used to identify high-risk properties in the unincorporated areas of the County and to determine potential participation in future acquisition and relocation projects.

Goal 5: Reduce the potential impact of natural and man-made disasters on the county’s historic treasures.

Objective 5.1: Improve coordination of mitigation efforts between the National Park Service and the City of Harpers Ferry.

Strategy 5.1.1: Establish a formal process for the city and the Park Service to coordinate disaster related efforts, which will include defining boundaries and establishing responsibilities.

· Project: To bring together the Harpers Ferry National Park Service Representatives with Representatives of the Corporation of Harpers Ferry to coordinate disaster planning and response efforts in Harpers Ferry. (Upper town and lower town Harpers Ferry)

Strategy 5.1.2: Conduct training exercises that includes representatives from the city and the Park Service to facilitate increased coordination.

· Project: Local OES Director to plan and hold an exercise specific to Harpers Ferry to include both City and Park Service representatives.

Objective 5.2: Identify and protect other historic structures throughout the county that are at risk from hazards.

Strategy 5.2.1: Conduct a survey of all historic sites that are located in hazard areas.

· Project: To identify all historic sites in the unincorporated areas of the County and in Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown, Ranson, Charles Town and Bolivar that are located in high hazard areas. Once that the sites are determined, to expand the study to identify individual properties and to better understand their risks.

Strategy 5.2.2: Develop mitigation strategies to protect any at-risk historic properties.

· Project: Develop mitigation strategies to protect identified at-risk historic properties in Ranson, Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, Shepherdstown, Bolivar and the unincorporated areas of the County.

Goal 6: Develop better hazard data for Jefferson County and the municipalities.

Objective 6.1: Update flood hazard mapping.

Strategy 6.1.1: Work with FEMA and WVOES on the Map Modernization Program to improve FIRMS.

· Project: Work with FEMA and WVOES to support the development of digital FIRMS for the county and identify areas for possible re-study.

Objective 6.2: Assess vulnerability of transportation systems and assets located in hazard areas.

Strategy 6.2.1: Work with WV Department of Highways to identify areas of frequent roadway flooding and develop mitigation strategies.

· Project: Work with municipal leaders to identify roadways with frequent flooding. Share information with WVDOT and work cooperatively to develop strategies to mitigate the identified problems.

Strategy 6.2.3: Contact commercial and commuter rail lines to ensure that measures are being taken to address hazard risks.

· Project: Contact representatives of rail lines to collect information about emergency planning and risks associated with rail services in the County.

Objective 6.3: Conduct a Hazardous Materials Survey to better understand the nature and extent of hazardous materials risks throughout the county.

Strategy 6.3.1: Apply for Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant from WVOES to finance the development of a hazardous materials survey for Jefferson County.

· Project: Conduct a Hazardous Materials Survey to identify all hazardous materials that are either stored or traveling through the County and its municipalities.

Strategy 6.3.2: Identify strategies to mitigate risks from the transportation and/or storage of hazardous materials in Jefferson County.

· Project: Using the results of the Hazardous Materials Survey, develop a plan to mitigate any identified risks.