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<br /> <br />Federal Emergency <br />Management Agency <br /> <br />FACT SHEET <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Office or E........ey Iarormatloa aad Media Alrain, Washiagtoa, D,C, 20472 <br /> <br />(202) 646-4600 <br /> <br />PROJECT IMPACf <br />Building a Disaster Resistant Community <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />PROJECT IMPACT is an initiative developed by FEMA Director James Lee Wm to challenge the <br />counuy to undenake actions that protect familjes, businesses and conununities by reducing the <br />effects of natural disasters. This initiative includes a national awareness c''''p:aigrt, the selection of <br />pilot conununities that <!("lDonstrate the benefits of hazard mitigation through a partnership <br />approach, and an outreach effort to businesses and communities using a new guidebook that offers <br />a formula for a conununity or business to follow to become disaster resistant. <br /> <br />RATIONALE <br />The increasing number and severity of natUra! disasters the past decade demands that action be <br />taken to reduce the threat that hurricanes, severe stonns, earthquakes, floods and wildfires impose <br />upon the economic stability, economic future and safety of the citizens of the US, As the federal <br />agency responsible for emergeocy management, FEMA is committed to reducing disaster losses by <br />focusing the energy of bu,,;n_, citizens, and communities in the US, on the ,importance of <br />reducing their susceptibi!itytothe impact of natural disasters. <br /> <br />There are three prinwy tenets of the PROJECf IMPACf initiative: <br /> <br />. Mitigation is a local issue. It is best addressed by a local pannership that involves <br />government, businesses and private citizens, <br /> <br />. Private sector participation is essential. Disasters threaten the economic and conunercial <br />growth of our cities, towns, villages and counties, Without the participation of the private <br />sector, comprehensive solutions will not be developed. <br /> <br />. Mitigation is a long-term effort tbat requires long-term investment, Disaster losses will not <br />be eliminated overnight. <br /> <br />PILOT COMMUNITIES <br />Director Witt and FEMA have worked closely with seven conununities throughout the US, to <br />develop a PROJECT IMP ACf plan that localities, businesses and citizens can follow to build <br />disaster resistant conununities where they live and work Director Win will participate in events in <br />each of these conununities to congratulate them on their foresight, commitment, and contribution <br />to a disaster resistant nation, <br /> <br />PROJECT IMPACT GUIDEBOOK <br />The guidebook presents that steps a conununity can take to become disaster resistant, It also <br />provides examples of the actions and resources available to accomplish this, goal, <br />