UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2012 UPDATE
SECTION 5. MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Mitigation StrategyRequirement §201.6(c)(3): The plan shall include a mitigation strategy that provides the jurisdiction’s blueprint for reducing the potential losses identified in the risk assessment, based on existing authorities, policies, programs and resources, and its ability to expand on and improve these existing tools.
Section 201.6(c)(3) of the Federal Disaster Assistance rule outlines measures that universities or other units of government must take in developing their mitigation strategies. Specifically, the Hazard Mitigation Plan must include:
“A mitigation strategy that provides the jurisdiction’s blueprint for reducing the potential losses identified in the risk assessment, based on existing authorities, policies, programs and resources, and its ability to expand on and improve these existing tools. This section shall include:
a. Goals. A description of mitigation goals to reduce or avoid long-term vulnerabilities to the identified hazards.
b. Actions and projects. A section that identifies and analyzes a comprehensive range of specific mitigation actions and projects being considered to reduce the effects of each hazard, with particular emphasis on new and existing buildings and infrastructure.
c. Action plan. An action plan describing how the actions identified in paragraph ii of this section will be prioritized, implemented and administered by the local jurisdiction. Prioritization shall include a special emphasis on the extent to which benefits are maximized according to a cost benefit review of the proposed projects and their associated costs.”
The following pages contain System-wide goals, objectives and strategic actions for each of the hazards identified earlier in this report, followed by a summary of prioritized projects for each of the seven campuses.
The goals, objectives and strategic actions were developed by the University of Maine System Hazard Mitigation Planning Team between January, 2005, and January, 2006, through face-to-face meetings, workshops, electronic meetings, e-mails and phone calls.
13. Local Hazard Mitigation GoalsRequirement §201.6(c)(3)(i): (The hazard mitigation strategy shall include a) description of mitigation goals to reduce or avoid long-term vulnerabilities to the identified hazards.
Element / A. Does the new or updated plan include a description of mitigation goals to reduce or avoid long-term vulnerabilities to the identified hazards?
A. Mitigation Goals
See Goal/Mission Statements for severe winter and summer storms (page 5-3), hazardous materials release (5-8), flooding (page 5-9), and wildfires (page 5-11).
14. Identification and Analysis of Mitigation ActionsRequirement §201.6(c)(3)(ii): (The mitigation strategy shall include a) section that identifies and analyzes a comprehensive range of specific mitigation actions and projects being considered to reduce the effects of each hazard, with particular emphasis on new and existing buildings and infrastructure.
Elements / A. Does the new or updated plan identify and analyze a comprehensive range of specific mitigation actions and projects for each hazard?
B. Do the identified actions and projects address reducing the effects of hazards on new buildings and infrastructure?
C. Do the identified actions and projects address reducing the effects of hazards on existing buildings and infrastructure?
A. Comprehensive Range of Mitigation Actions and Projects
Pages 5-3 to 5-12 contain goals, objectives and strategic actions for each of the hazards identified earlier in this report, followed by a summary of prioritized projects by campus beginning on page 5-16.
The goals, objectives and mitigation actions were modified from the goals, objectives and mitigation actions contained in the 2006 plan. The Hazard Mitigation Planning Team relied heavily on input from officials at the seven Campuses for the development of the prioritized mitigation projects.
B. Actions and Projects that Reduce Hazards on New Buildings and Structures
Severe winter and severe summer storms:
Note: there are no actions related to new structures because storm-related hazards such as roof collapses are adequately covered by the State’s new building code which became effective on December 15, 2010
Hazardous Materials Release: Not applicable
Flooding: See 1A
Wildfires: See 1A
C. Actions and Projects that Reduce Hazards on Existing Buildings and Structures
Severe winter and severe summer storms: See 4A
Hazardous Materials Release: Not applicable
Flooding: See 1A
Wildfires: See 1A
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UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2012 UPDATE
GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIC MEASURES (ACTIONS)
SEVERE WINTER AND SUMMER STORMS
There have been six federally-declared winter storm disasters in Maine since 1998. The worst storm in the past decade was the ice storm of January, 1998, which caused $100 million in public damages throughout the State. The most severe winter storms in Maine are blizzards that overwhelm snow removal operations and cause localized power outages. Winter storms can cause slip and fall injuries due to ice and snow, injuries or loss of life due to vehicle accidents resulting from icy conditions, road wash-outs or erosion, delayed responses from emergency services, the improper use of back-up heat sources, or from debris falling on an individual. Major winter storms can shut down university campuses, resulting in major losses of research projects and classroom instruction time.
Goal/Mission Statement: Reduce loss of life, injury and property damage throughout the University System caused by winter storms, water runoff, and erosion, as well as severe summer storms and hurricanes.
Objectives / Strategic Measures (Actions) / Responsibility / Status/Rationale if no Action /1. Lessen loss of life and injuries resulting from winter storms, severe summer storms and hurricanes, including the resulting water runoff or erosion. / A. Emergency Response Plans. Continue to prepare and update campus-specific emergency response plans. / Facility Emergency Coordinator/
Campus ES & H / Deleted; not a mitigation action
A. Printed and on-Line Emergency Brochures, Pamphlets. Public Education. Continue to prepare, update and distribute emergency pamphlets and brochures to students and employees; initiate steps to prepare such documents where none now exists. / UM Systems Office Personnel and
Facility Management Personnel / ?
C. Campus Roadways. Continue to deice and clear campus roadways during or soon after a storm event. / Facility Management Personnel / Deleted; not a mitigation action, but a response to a hazard
B. Shelters, Safe Houses. Take steps to establish or retrofit an existing building as a shelter or safe house on each of the seven campuses. / University System Personnel
Facility Emergency Coordinator / Implemented at UMA Bangor, UMFK,UMM, UM, Deferred at other campuses due to lack of funds
C. Special Needs Students. Maintain a list of special needs students who would be vulnerable during a power outage. / Student Affairs/Residential Life / ?
D. Underground Conduit. Continue to plan for underground conduit systems and, as funds become available, install such systems where feasible. / UM Systems Office Personnel and
Facility Management Personnel / ?
E. FEMA Grant Application. Submit one or more University System applications to FEMA for mitigation of winter and summer storm hazards aimed at lessening the potential loss of life and injuries. / UM Systems Office Personnel / Deferred; lack of assigned personnel to apply for FEMA grants.
2. Lessen property damages caused by winter storms, severe summer storms and hurricanes, and the resulting water runoff or erosion. / A. Building Upgrades. Continue to plan for building upgrades that will lessen winter and summer storm damages, and budget upgrades as funds become available. Address identified deficiencies such as worn out, leaky or damaged roofs, roof systems with inadequate snow load ratings, roofs with ice jam problems, and siding, masonry or window systems that leak. / Facility Management Personnel / Buildings have been upgraded as documented in the projects section.
B. Property Improvements. Continue to plan for other property improvements that will lessen winter storm damage, and budget upgrades as fund become available. Address damage to campus property through upgrades such as the use of bank stabilization, elevation of property, upgraded culverts, storm retention ponds and other improvements. / Facility Management Personnel / Deleted; not perceived to be a serious problem.
C. FEMA Grant Application. Submit one or more University System applications to FEMA for mitigation of winter storm hazards aimed at lessening property damages. / UM Systems Office Personnel
Facility Management Personnel / Deleted; not perceived to be a serious problem.
3. Ensure critical transportation links by upgrading campus roads and related infrastructure. / A. Plans. Develop plans to upgrade campus roads, culverts, ditches, parking lots and drainage systems and stabilize eroding banks to make roads safe from winter storms. / Facility Management Personnel / Deleted; replaced by “A” and “B” below
B. Grants. Apply for FEMA grants to upgrade campus roads, culverts, ditches and drainage systems in accordance with plans for making campus roads and related infrastructure safe from winter storms. / UM Systems Office Personnel / Deleted; replaced by “A” and “B” below
A. Problem Documentation. Document the cost of repairing recurring storm damages to ditches, roads, roadway drainage systems and roads. / Facility Management Personnel / New
B. Grant Applications. Where recurring problems can be documented, apply for FEMA grants to upgrade roads, culverts ditches and drainage systems. / Facility Management Personnel / New
4. Install generators at all campuses to ensure that buildings are heated and University campuses, labs and medical facilities are fully operational during a winter storm event. / A. Long Range Plan. Develop a cost-effective University System plan for providing back-up power to each of the campuses.
· Develop standards for generators so that generators at one campus are fully compatible with those at another campus and can be loaned to another;
· Give first priority to keeping buildings warm and providing full power to critical facilities such as medical centers, dining halls and buildings housing research projects that need a source of continual power. / UM Systems Office Personnel
Facility Management Personnel / Some generators have been installed, as documented in the projects section.
B. Grants. Apply for FEMA grants to purchase generators in accordance with the long-range plan. / UM Systems Office Personnel / Deleted; not a FEMA-fundable item.
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UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2012 UPDATE
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UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2012 UPDATE
SEVERE SUMMER STORMS
The most likely damages caused by a severe summer storm or hurricane are the loss of electrical power from downed power transmission lines, lightning damage, the blockage of campus roads from tree debris, wash-outs of campus roads from water runoff that overwhelms on-campus drainage systems, flooding of parking lots, and erosion of campus property or adjacent private property that receives campus storm water flow. There could be injuries or loss of life caused by delayed responses from emergency services, debris falling on an individual, or from storm-related vehicle accidents resulting from downed tree limbs or campus road wash-outs. Other types of general damage to personal and real property may be caused by high winds. Extended power losses can shut down university campuses, resulting in major losses of research projects and classroom instruction time.
Goal/Mission Statement: Reduce loss of life, injury and property damage throughout the University System caused by summer storms and hurricanes.
Objectives / Strategic Measures (Actions) / Responsibility /1. Lessen loss of life and injuries resulting from summer storms and hurricanes, and the resulting water runoff or erosion. / A. Emergency Response Plans. Continue to prepare and update campus-specific emergency response plans. / Facility Emergency Coordinator
B. Printed and on-Line Emergency Brochures, Pamphlets. Continue to prepare, update and distribute emergency pamphlets and brochures to students and employees; initiate steps to prepare such documents where none now exists. / UM Systems Office Personnel and
Facility Emergency Coordinator
C. Campus Roadways. Continue to clear campus roadways of debris following a storm event. / Facility Management Personnel
D. Shelters, Safe Houses. Take steps to establish or retrofit an existing building as a shelter or safe house on each of the seven campuses. / Facility Emergency Coordinator
E. Special Needs Students. Maintain a list of special needs students who would be vulnerable during a power outage. / Student Affairs/Residential Life
· Underground Conduit. Continue to plan for underground conduit systems and, as funds become available, install such systems where feasible. / Facility Management Personnel
· FEMA Grant Application. Submit one or more University System applications to FEMA for mitigation of summer storm hazards aimed at lessening the potential loss of life and injuries. / UM Systems Office
2. Lessen property damages caused by summer storms and the resulting water runoff or erosion. / · Building Upgrades. Continue to plan for building upgrades that will lessen summer storm damages, and budget upgrades as funds become available. Address identified deficiencies such as worn out, leaky or damaged roofs, and siding, masonry or window systems that leak. / Facility Management Personnel
· Property Improvements. Continue to plan for other property improvements that will lessen summer storm damages and budget upgrades as fund become available. Address damage to campus property through the use of bank stabilization, elevation of property, upgraded culverts, and other improvements. / Facility Management Personnel
· FEMA Grant Application. Submit one or more University System applications to FEMA for mitigation of summer storm hazards aimed at lessening property damages. / UM Systems Office Personnel
Facility Management Personnel
3. Ensure critical transportation links by upgrading campus roads and related infrastructure. / · Plans. Develop plans to upgrade campus roads, culverts, ditches, parking lots and drainage systems and stabilize eroding banks to make roads safe from summer storms. / Facility Management Personnel
B. Upgrades. Upgrade campus roads, culverts, ditches, parking lots and drainage systems in accordance with plans for making roads and related infrastructure safe from summer storms. / Facility Management Personnel
4. Install generators at all campuses to ensure that buildings remain at a proper temperature range and University campuses, labs and medical facilities are fully operational during a summer storm event. / A. Long Range Plan. Develop a cost-effective System plan for providing back-up power to each of the campuses.
· Develop standards for generators so that generators at one campus are fully compatible with those at another campus;
· Give first priority to providing full power to critical facilities such as medical centers, dining halls and buildings housing research projects that need a source of continual power. / UM Systems Office Personnel
Facility Management Personnel
B. Grants. Apply for FEMA grants to purchase generators in accordance with the long-range plan. / UM Systems Office Personnel
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