In 2004, the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LA Unified) developed a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) which received Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approval. Subsequent LHMPs were prepared and received FEMA approval. The LHMP is typically valid for a period of five years. In order to keep the LHMP current an update is required to reflect the current responsibilities of LA Unified’s divisions, departments and offices and addresses major natural and human-caused disasters that have the potential to impact LA Unified facilities and operations. 

The LHMP provides a framework to lessen the impact of natural disasters. By encouraging whole-community involvement, assessing risk and using a range of resources, local governments can reduce risk to people, economies, and natural environments.

The updated plan was prepared to ensure LA Unified would be eligible for FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Hazard Mitigation Grant programs, explicitly, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program, and the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program. Without an approved LHMP, LA Unified would not be eligible for reimbursement from FEMA following a natural disaster.