Early in developing a risk assessment, planners should collect and review local sources that have already addressed local hazards. The sources will likely be many and varied in terms of their relevance, accuracy, and usefulness, so the first key action is to collect and review what is readily available. This may include emergency operations plans, comprehensive plans, natural resource plans, or hazard-specific plans (e.g., floodplain management plans, community wildfire protection plans) if available, as well as any other technical reports or studies.
Planners should also consult local emergency manager(s) at the municipal and/or county level. These officials will be familiar with local hazard risks and will likely have a wealth of local data, including information on past hazard events and previously completed hazard analyses and risk assessments. They will also have other recommended local contacts such as floodplain administrators, engineers, and building code officials. Another primary source to consult is the State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO) at the Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, who will be familiar with the latest risk assessment resources for Colorado communities and also maintains a statewide risk assessment as part of the Colorado Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (2013).
Many additional existing resources that describe Colorado hazards are described later in this guide in the hazard profiles in the appendix. Assessing local hazard risks is a continuous process that should be driven by ongoing coordination among local community staff and stakeholders. While FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plans are required to go through regular updates every five years, Colorado communities are encouraged to be proactive with more frequent and routine assessments of local hazards as new information or resources become available.
We Don’t Have GIS. How Can We Map our Hazard Risk?
For many communities in Colorado, the use of GIS is either cost-prohibitive or otherwise limited by resources or expertise. There are several options to explore to help communities establish a more robust spatial analysis of hazards without the use of GIS.
- Contact the state. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is familiar with available mapping resources, and can point communities in the right direction to locate already existing maps. Contact the local hazard mitigation planning program manager.
- Generate free maps online. Link to online resources that provide free data, and many of them can be mapped to the region or even local level depending on the hazard. One example: EPA’s MARPLOT, which is the mapping program for the CAMEO software suite, which is used widely to plan for and respond to chemical
emergencies. Learn more about the CAMEO software suite. - Establish an IGA for shared GIS services. Working with a neighboring municipality or county that is already equipped with GIS can be an efficient and affordable way to secure accurate hazard mapping analysis. An intergovernmental agreement (IGA) can define the parameters of the work, assign responsibilities, and establish requirements for any monetary contributions.
- Contact a University. Undergraduate or graduate programs in urban planning or geography may have students or classes interested in assisting with your hazard identification and risk assessment mapping needs.