Task 2: Identify Planning Team Members

Recruit Planning Team Members

To recruit the planning team members, if possible, begin with the existing community organizations. Reassemble the team from the previous planning process for the mitigation plan updates together with any other organizations or individuals. A good foundation for your mitigation planning team would be a group that administers the comprehensive plan or tackles issues associated with public facilities, transportation, or land use. To determine what organizations or agencies to include, you may mull over a number of issues such as how hazards and threats impact social services, economic development, health, housing, infrastructure, or cultural and natural resources. You could also update the existing LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) of your community. The LEPC group tackles harmful materials safety and may also deal with other natural hazards and threats. The LEPC group may include members that are apt for your community’s mitigation planning team.

Organizations that are authorized to regulate development, agency representatives that participate in the hazard mitigation actions, and agencies that enforce local ordinances can become key members of your community’s planning team. Such agencies or organizations are likely to have the expertise to carry out mitigation actions. Worksheet 2.1 includes a checklist of prospective organizations and agencies that you can consider when building your planning team.

Stakeholders

There is a notable difference between the planning team members and stakeholders. Stakeholders are groups or individuals that can be affected by the mitigation policies and actions. These include citizens, private organizations, and businesses. Although stakeholders may not participate in all stages of the planning process, they do offer input from different community members or notify the planning team on a specific matter.
An opportunity should be given to certain stakeholders to be part of the planning team.

    Following stakeholders should be involved in the planning process:

  • Organizations that are authorized to regulate development.
  • Local and regional organizations experienced in hazard mitigation actions.
  • Academia, businesses, and other non-profit and private agencies.
  • Neighboring jurisdictions.
    Stakeholders Participating in Hazard Mitigation Actions:

  • Emergency Management
  • Building Code Enforcement
  • Floodplain Administration
  • Fire Department/Districts
  • Parks and Recreation
  • GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
  • Public Information Office
  • Planning/Community Development
  • Storm water Management
  • Transportation (Roads/Bridges)
  • Public Works
  • Regional Planning Agency
  • State Emergency Management Office
    Stakeholders Authorized to Regulate Development:

  • Planning Commission
  • Board of Commissioners/City Council
  • Community Development/Planning
  • Special Districts
  • Metropolitan/ Regional Planning