Mitigation

Protecting Today. Preventing Tomorrow

Disasters don’t just disrupt communities—they expose vulnerabilities. Hazard mitigation is the opportunity to do more than recover: it’s how communities break the cycle of repeated loss and build lasting resilience.

At EM Partners, we integrate hazard mitigation into every stage of disaster recovery, guiding communities through FEMA’s Section 404 and 406 mitigation programs to reduce risk, secure funding, and strengthen infrastructure before the next disaster strikes.

 

What Is Hazard Mitigation?

Hazard mitigation refers to sustained actions taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from future disasters. Mitigation reduces the impact of disasters and lowers recovery costs—every $1 spent on mitigation saves an average of $4 in avoided future damages.

EM Partners helps communities identify, prioritize, and implement mitigation measures that align with their recovery goals and future resilience.

Section 404 Mitigation

Section 404 mitigation is separate from recovery-specific projects and is funded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). This funding becomes available after a federal disaster declaration and can be used for standalone mitigation projects, including those not directly damaged by the event.

Eligible Projects Include:

  • Floodproofing or elevation of critical infrastructure
  • Generator installation for essential services
  • Stormwater and drainage improvements
  • Wildfire risk reduction measures (e.g., defensible space, fire-resistant construction)
  • Retrofitting public buildings for seismic safety
Section 406 Mitigation

Section 406 Hazard Mitigation is part of the FEMA Public Assistance (PA) program. It allows applicants to add mitigation measures to repair or reconstruction projects for damaged facilities. These measures must directly reduce the risk of similar damage in future disasters.

Examples of 406 Mitigation Projects:

  • Elevating critical equipment above flood levels during reconstruction
  • Installing stronger materials for wind-resistant roofing
  • Reinforcing structures to meet updated building codes
  • Upgrading culverts to reduce flood risks

Our Mitigation Services

  • Mitigation Needs Assessments – Identify vulnerabilities, evaluate past impacts, and prioritize high-value risk-reduction projects.

  • Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) – Develop FEMA-compliant, data-driven BCAs that clearly show project value and support funding approval.

  • Grant Application Development – Prepare complete, accurate, and timely applications from initial scoping through final documentation.

  • Hazard Mitigation Plan Integration – Ensure proposed projects align with local hazard mitigation plans and support updates as needed.

  • Regulatory & EHP Compliance Support – Navigate environmental, historic preservation, and other federal requirements to keep projects moving forward.

Why Communities Choose EM Partners

  • Proven Success: We help communities secure and implement mitigation funding that lowers risk and long-term recovery costs.

  • Maximized Funding: We identify opportunities throughout recovery and help stack funding sources whenever possible.

  • Strategic Guidance: Whether supporting FEMA PA projects or long-range mitigation planning, we align investments with practical, high-impact outcomes.

  • Future-Focused Planning: We turn recovery into sustained resilience—building a stronger foundation for the future.