Kootenai County is first to complete disaster plan

Kootenai County is the first in Idaho to develop an all hazards mitigation plan as required by the federal government.

The plan is expected to reduce the costly effects and impact that a natural or human-caused disaster could have on local residents and property.

The plan focuses on six natural hazards, including wildfires, floods and winter storms, as well as on terrorism and civil disorder.

The plan will serve as a guide for decision-makers as they commit resources to reduce the effects of disasters in the county.

It identifies mitigation actions, how they would be prioritized and who can implement action. The plan also outlines funding possibilities.

The county’s plan was approved Oct. 25 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Local governments had to have hazard mitigation plans in place by November to become eligible for pre- or post-disaster mitigation funding.

Kootenai County received a grant last year from the Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services to hire a consultant to help develop the plan.

Kootenai County commissioners also appointed an all hazards mitigation committee, including residents and representatives from business and industry, who worked for a year and a half on the plan.