LMS Guidebook Supplement, Vulnerability Assessment, Part 2
CONCLUSIONSuccessful use of the vulnerability assessment
This supplement has sought to address how to conduct a hazard identification and vulnerability assessment process, as well as how to utilize the results in the development of a county’s strategy. The vulnerability assessment process is the Working Group’s most effective planning tool to identify the need for mitigation initiatives, to define what they should be, and/or to justify their implementation. While there are several valid approaches to accomplishing these objectives within the mitigation planning process, this supplement has offered suggestions on an effective method to utilize.
In conducting a vulnerability assessment and utilizing its results, the Working Group members need to assure themselves, as well as the communities and organizations they represent, that the vulnerability assessment has been conducted in a manner to insure:
that it is as comprehensive and factually-based as feasible;
that all important vulnerabilities have been identified;
that appropriate structural and non-structural initiatives have been proposed to address those vulnerabilities; and
that the priority assigned to implementation of those initiatives has been derived in an equitable and objective manner.
With these assurances, and a commitment to maintain the strategy in future years, the Working Group will have greatly assisted the communities it serves in gaining a far greater capability to survive future disasters.