Washington communities have until April 15 to apply for $248,375 in federal 2003 Pre-Disaster Mitigation planning grants, according to Mary Best, state hazard mitigation program manager with the Washington Emergency Management Division (WEMD).

Best said WEMD intends to recommend a minimum of five community pre-disaster grant applicants to the Department of Homeland Security.
The grants, which require a 25 percent non-federal local match, are to be used to develop all hazard mitigation plans to prevent damage in future emergencies or disasters.

“Pre-disaster mitigation plans will enable local, state and federal emergency management agencies to identify a wide array of projects that reduce vulnerability to hazards and the potential damage of a major disaster,” Best said.

Applications submitted by the April 15 deadline will be competitively judged with grant awards to be made later this year.

These pre-disaster hazard mitigation grants can be awarded only to state and local governments, certain non-profit organizations or institutions that serve a public function with critical facilities, federally recognized tribal governments, or recognized Special Purpose Districts.

More information can be found at the WEMD Website at: www.wa.gov/wsem/.