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Michigan Tech Receives FEMA Grant
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Dec. 11, 2006--Michigan Tech has received $56,250 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create a multi-hazard mitigation plan as part of its Disaster Resistant University Program. The program helps universities plan ahead to reduce their vulnerability to natural, manmade and technological disasters.
Hazard mitigation is any action taken before, during, or after a disaster to eliminate or reduce risk to life and property. In addition to reducing risk, the planning process helps universities form partnerships and build better relationships with the surrounding communities.
“We’re looking forward to working with our partners as we develop the multi-hazard mitigation plan,” said Jon Ahola, Michigan Tech’s director of Safety">public safety. “We’ll be looking at what preparations we have in place, fine-tuning and improving our existing plans, and investigating opportunities for more cooperation within the community.”
Michigan Tech is working with the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Regional Development Commission (WUPPDR) to develop the plan. WUPPDR helped create hazard mitigation plans for the surrounding counties in 2005. The university and the WUPPDR are each providing $9,375 toward the cost of the project.
An advisory committee of university staff and community members was formed in October to help guide the plan’s progress and offer advice and feedback to WUPPDR.
A draft plan is due by October 2007, when the plan will be made available to the public for review and comment.
For more information, contact Ahola at 906-487-2024 or jwahola@mtu.edu, or Meghan Pachmayer, assistant planner-WUPPDR, at 906-482-7205 or mepachmayer@charterinternet.com.
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