Cook County’s Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) on Monday, July 8, invited the public to review the 2024 Cook County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is undergoing a mandatory five-year update. 

The purpose of the plan is improving its emergency preparedness and mitigation capabilities, and community involvement in the process is crucial to its success, according to county officials. 

Cook County experienced two major presidential disaster declarations in 2023 due to natural hazards, underscoring the need for this work. There are two ways for the public to participate in this plan update. 

Comments can be submitted by using the online feedback form. 

The 2024 Cook County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan is designed to help communities reduce the impact of natural hazards. The public meetings will assist the County in identifying and prioritizing the services, disaster-related projects and capabilities the community may need during an emergency. 

The federal government requires local and state governments to have a FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan as established by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 to qualify for Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) funding. These programs are critical sources of federal funding, especially for a community that wants to proactively initiate mitigation projects or for a community that needs Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding following a presidential disaster declaration.