17 representatives from local schools, governments, and fire departments in Saline County attended the second planning meeting for the Saline County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan on Tuesday, January 6th.

The goal of the meeting was to review Saline County’s hazard mitigation planning and how it is used to reduce community risk. The Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission led discussions and answered questions about the plan during the meeting. The Hazard Mitigation Plan is a strategy that aims to reduce loss of life and property by minimizing the impact of disasters. Saline County entities have to attend and provide input at one of the three meetings to be included in the final plan, which will be in effect for the next five years. Otherwise, they won’t be included in the plan and won’t be able to access federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for hazard mitigation efforts. Entities must also submit a completed data questionnaire to Pioneer Trails, and provide an adoption resolution passed by its governing body.

The final meeting in the planning process is scheduled to be held in April. Saline County Emergency Management Emergency Management Director Brad Hinz says this meeting is the final opportunity for entities to take part in the process and be covered by the plan.

 

Hinz also encourages community members to make their voices heard and fill out a questionnaire from Pioneer Trails.

 

Hinz says the rough draft of the plan will be reviewed at the third and final meeting on Tuesday, April 7th. Saline County residents can take part in a public survey by visiting the Pioneer Regional Planning Commission’s website.