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Introducing Mitigation 20/20™ version 3 software- now available
| Mitigation
20/20™
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of computer hardware and software are needed to support Mitigation 20/20™ suite of programs? The Mitigation 20/20™ programs work well with any newer and faster computers, and both require Microsoft Office Professional, 2000 or XP to operate. (Microsoft Office Professional 2000 and XP are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation and must be purchased separately.) The Mitigation 20/20™ program for local planning requires a minimum of about 20 megabytes of hard drive space and the state level program requires about 70 megabytes. To fully utilize all of the capabilities of Mitigation 20/20™, the following will be needed:
Mitigation 20/20™ can be installed on either a desktop or laptop computer and has been operated on networks. Selecting the computer for installation of the master database is an important decision, for once installed, the master database should not be copied or moved. Why is a software program for mitigation planning better than developing a plan from “scratch”? The Mitigation 20/20™ suite of programs is just like getting a mitigation planning consultant, except at a fraction of the cost! Both Mitigation 20/20™ programs provide a complete technical approach to the mitigation planning process as well as the tools to complete each step in the process. Most of the individuals who need to be involved in mitigation planning, especially at the local level, are not likely familiar with all of the steps that are needed and how to proceed with the planning. The Mitigation 20/20™ program provide that guidance, along with two other important benefits that go far beyond “starting from scratch.” First, Mitigation 20/20™ is a database that also offers the capability to print a comprehensive mitigation plan whenever such a document is needed. As a database, the information entered for preparation of the initial plan remains available for updating the plan in the future without the need to start over again. Secondly, Mitigation 20/20™ incorporates standardized technical approaches and evaluation criteria that enable all participants, even from different jurisdictions or organizations, to conduct technical evaluations using a common, consistent approach. This means that the Mitigation 20/20™ programs allow planners to directly compare vulnerability assessments, benefit to cost ratios, or the priority for proposed mitigation initiatives regardless of who developed the information. How do the Mitigation 20/20™ programs support state and local mitigation planning? The Mitigation 20/20™ programs provide both an effective mitigation planning approach as well as all of the tools needed to implement that approach. The local level Mitigation 20/20™ program guides planners on establishing a planning organization, gathering information and data about hazards that threaten the jurisdictions, the level of risk they pose, and the vulnerability of facilities and neighborhoods to those hazards. It also supports analysis of the regulations, plans, programs and statutes that form the policy framework for mitigation programming, as well as the mitigation “lessons learned” from past disaster events. Mitigation 20/20™ then enables planners to identify and characterize proposed projects and programs to include in the mitigation plan, and to monitor their implementation when the mitigation plan is updated. In addition, Mitigation 20/20™ prints a comprehensive mitigation plan, incorporating the data and information entered into the program. The local Mitigation 20/20™ also contains a complete set of training modules for instructing local officials in both the local mitigation planning process, the type of data needed, and the use of the Mitigation 20/20™ program. The local program also has routines to help local officials implement a public information and community involvement program. The state Mitigation 20/20™ program includes routines to electronically import local mitigation plans and to “roll up” local data to support statewide analysis of such characteristics as hazard identification and risk assessment, facility and neighborhood vulnerabilities, mitigation-related policies, and proposed mitigation projects and programs. The state program also includes helpful routines to support local mitigation plan review, to manage administration and coordination of local mitigation planning, and to monitor the “success” of mitigation planning and programming in the state. Can the local level Mitigation 20/20™ be used to develop multi-jurisdictional local mitigation plans? Yes, the local Mitigation 20/20™ program was specifically designed to both encourage and support a multi-jurisdictional, multi-organization mitigation planning process. For example, a county or regional planning district could serve as the primary jurisdiction, maintaining the master Mitigation 20/20™ database, coordinating the planning, and providing support staff. Then the incorporated municipalities, e.g., towns, cities, townships, etc., within the primary jurisdiction would each participate. The local level Mitigation 20/20™ relies on a planning approach that encourages cooperation and consultation among adjacent jurisdictions to ensure coordinated planning, yet provides for an individual, unique mitigation plan to be prepared for each participating jurisdiction. Mitigation 20/20™ can also be used to develop a mitigation plan for a single jurisdiction, with some minor editing of the included mitigation plan. Can the Mitigation 20/20™ programs be used to comply with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000? Both the state and local Mitigation 20/20™ programs have been designed to include data gathering and documentation capabilities that are required for compliance with DMA 2000. But more importantly than simply being a “compliance tool,” Mitigation 20/20™ creates mitigation plans that are directly useful at the state and local level, without reference to DMA 2000. The Mitigation 20/20™ programs will help all levels of government identify their mitigation needs and prioritize them for implementation. How do the Mitigation 20/20™ programs work with other available information and common planning tools, such as GIS? The Mitigation 20/20™ planning approach relies on the concept that the “best judgment” of knowledgeable state and local officials, using “readily available data” is very satisfactory for developing a mitigation plan. However, the approach expects that planners will access existing, available data while using Mitigation 20/20™. Such information is likely to include other technical studies, hazard maps such as flood plain maps, demographic studies, property value assessments, etc. Often some of this information will be available as data in geographic information systems (GIS). In order to take advantage of such information, the local level Mitigation 20/20™ program incorporates ArcExplorer, a public-domain software program that is a registered trademark of ESRI. If such information is available, it should be reviewed carefully as Mitigation 20/20™ is used to document relevant decisions, judgments and conclusions in the context of developing a mitigation plan. Where is Mitigation 20/20™ in use now? The local Mitigation 20/20™ program has been purchased for statewide distribution to local officials in several states, including New Jersey, Florida, Vermont, Kansas, Washington, South Carolina and Mississippi. State mitigation agencies purchasing the program recognize that it provides a valid, common approach that can be used by local governments throughout the state. Using Mitigation 20/20™ for local mitigation plan development on a statewide basis provides a tool for both promoting adequate documentation of the local planning process, as well as direct comparability between the technical information presented, regardless of the local jurisdiction issuing the mitigation plan. Is Mitigation 20/20™ difficult to use? The Mitigation 20/20™ programs are very user friendly, with incorporated training and instruction, dropdown selection fields, as well as pleasant and easy to understand data entry screens. There is no need for specialized training for an individual with basic computer skills to be able to use either of the programs. The local program even incorporates such helpful documents as suggested by-laws for the planning group, a recommended planning schedule with defined planning steps, a standard procedure covering each step in the planning, and guidelines for addressing DMA 2000’s requirements for local mitigation plans. It is important to recognize, however, that Mitigation 20/20™ is only a tool to support the mitigation planning process. The actual planning must be done by the involved individuals, and for most organizations, this will require time and energy. The state and local level Mitigation 20/20™ programs do not create, in any way, “fill in the blank” and “one size fits all” type of mitigation plan. Everyone recognizes that the value of any plan, including a mitigation plan, is directly correlated to the interest, time and energy invested in its development. The Mitigation 20/20™ programs are simply a tool to guide and document an active mitigation planning process. Can the state or local Mitigation 20/20™ program be used on a “stand alone” basis? Yes. Either a state or local government can use the corresponding Mitigation 20/20™ program to separately create their mitigation plan and sustain their mitigation planning process. A local government can use the local program, whether or not the state mitigation agency is using the state level Mitigation 20/20™ program. In comparison, a state mitigation agency can use the state level Mitigation 20/20™ whether or not local governments are using the local program. Nevertheless, when both Mitigation 20/20™ programs are used on a statewide basis, the full benefit of the integration of both programs’ modules and data management capabilities can be completely realized. For example, the local level Mitigation 20/20™ program has routines that export all local data for transmission to the state mitigation planning agency, where the local data can be directly imported into the state level Mitigation 20/20™. Then, the state level program can be used to compile or “roll up” many different kinds of local data to support, for example, a statewide hazard identification and risk assessment, statewide evaluation of local mitigation policies, and monitoring of efforts to achieve mitigation goals. Is technical support available for Mitigation 20/20™ users? Yes. erp&m offers telephone support at no additional charge to license holders of Mitigation 20/20™ on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:00 to 5:00 pm Eastern time. Assistance can be offered to individuals experiencing technical problems in operating the program, or who have specific questions about how the Mitigation 20/20™ programs support state or local mitigation planning. For special cases, erp&m, as a consulting firm, can be contracted to more directly support the use of Mitigation 20/20™ by state and local governments. How can I get additional information? Additional information about Mitigation 20/20™ is provided on this website, or contact: David S. Palmer, President emergency response planning Telephone: 609-466-3566 Email: erpm@aol.com
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