Planning for hazards

Science News, August 16, 2008 by John Knight

In regard to "Challenges to building a disaster-resilient nation" (SN: 6/21/08, p. 32), the South Carolina Emergency Management Division---from which I am now retired--and many state counties use Hazards United States Multihazard, or HAZUS-MH, at the state and local levels. We have used this program for many years. We were the first state to update the infrastructure database. Working with FEMA and a consultant, the state is now using a web portal and consolidated data management system to update the infrastructure annually and perform hazards analysis. Planning hazard preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation is an ongoing and important program at SCEMD, state agencies and local governments, and for FEMA.

JOHN KNIGHT, RIDGEWAY, S.C.