Last Updated on October 20, 2023 by Cass County Emergency Management Agency
ABOVE: EMA personnel work with the Logansport Fire Department to sandbag a flooding residence on the east end of Logansport in early 2022
Every community is vulnerable to hazards, some of which could be made safer through pre-planning. A bridge that collects debris, resulting in stream backup flooding homes every year. A site with a tornado shelter not reinforced enough or not big enough for the scope of the events held at the location. A recreation area that sees repeat erosion damage reducing usability of the facility. These are just a few of the many examples that can be addressed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers Hazard Mitigation Funding that can assist communities in addressing these issues. Projects can sometimes fall in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars range. As a prerequisite, communities must participate in the development of a Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. That opportunity is now available in Cass County.
Earlier this year, the Cass County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) obtained over $20,000 in funding thru the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant to put a plan together for Cass County. EMA is working with the Polis Center at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis to complete this project. As one of the steps, the Cass County Multi Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee will meet at 1 p.m., Monday, November 13 in the community room at Ivy Tech Community College Logansport.
Rocky Buffum, Director of the Cass County Emergency Management Agency, says he cannot stress enough the scope of opportunity and the importance of participation. “Mitigation grants can be used to address challenges faced by cities, schools, towns, counties and in some cases non-profit organizations. The Polis Center will be working with us to not only build a catalog of these hazards, but also to match hazards with potential funding mechanisms to be addressed.”
Only jurisdictions that participate in the planning process will be eligible to receive these funds. According to federal guidelines, jurisdictions and organizations that do not participate will not be eligible for the next five years, and will not have another opportunity to participate in this process until the next Multi Hazard Mitigation Plan revision. Buffum stressed it is critical for municipalities and organizations to participate and contribute to the planning process for this reason.
Any citizen can contribute to the plan and provide input on planning priorities. Those interested in attending the meeting are asked to RSVP by emailing EMA@CO.CASS.IN.US or calling 574-722-2484. Those who wish to make a comment or express a concern but are unable to attend the meeting can also email the address above and be provided a form to complete and return. All forms submitted will be reviewed by the plan committee.
Emergency Management looks forward to working together with a wide range of stakeholders for a safer and more resilient Cass County.
ABOVE: Debris collects under a bridge over Pipe Creek in Eastern Cass County. This damming occurs every spring and can result in flooding to upstream homes
SOURCE: News release from Cass County Emergency Management Agency