Tennessee State Hazard Mitigation Plan Receives FEMA Approval
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –The state of Tennessee has taken a significant step towards safeguarding its communities and citizens from future disasters, as the update to the 2023 Tennessee State Hazard Mitigation Plan has received formal approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on October 3, 2023, and is effective until October 2028.
The Tennessee State Hazard Mitigation Plan was developed through a collaborative effort involving the State Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee, representing a cross-section of stakeholders that supported the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) in developing this update, in addition to East Tennessee State University.
“The Tennessee State Hazard Mitigation Plan is a crucial tool in our efforts to protect our communities and strengthen our state’s resilience,” said TEMA Planning Branch Administrator Trip Voss. “It is always a significant achievement to have a plan like this approved, and it reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.”
The adoption of the Tennessee State Hazard Mitigation Plan illustrates the state’s commitment to making continuing improvements to the state’s mitigation strategy and program to best protect its people and assets from known natural, technological, and human-caused hazards that the state is exposed to.
Reiterating this point, Kim Anthony, TEMA Regional Planning Manager, says, “We want our citizens to understand that this approval is more than a plan; it’s an actionable pathway towards a more resilient Tennessee.”
FEMA requires states to have an approved hazard mitigation plan to remain eligible for various federal assistance and mitigation grants.
The updated plan can be found on the TEMA planning library at: https://plans-tnema.hub.arcgis.com/
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About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA’s mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders. Follow TEMA on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and at tn.gov/tema