FEMA releases its 2022–2026 strategic plan
FEMA releases its 2022–2026 strategic plan addressing emergency management challenges
On Dec. 9, 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released its 2022–2026 Strategic Plan, which it characterizes as “outlining a bold vision” to address challenges and advance the field of emergency management. With each four-year update, FEMA’s Strategic Plan provides a roadmap of three goals for FEMA decision-makers.
In recent years, FEMA’s strategic plans have captured the evolving and important shift from reactive disaster recovery response to proactive mitigation against future risks. The consideration for building codes as a mitigation and resilience strategy has also evolved with each plan. While first mentioned without noticeable priority in the 2011–2014 and the 2014–2018 plans, the 2018–2021 plan boldly stated, “Disaster resilience starts with building codes” and emphasized the role that code adoption and enforcement plays in pre-disaster mitigation through potential loss savings.
The most recent iteration of the strategic plan outlines three goals. First, to instill equity as a foundation of emergency management. Second, to lead whole of community in climate resilience. Third, promote and sustain a ready FEMA and prepared nation. Building codes are highlighted in the second goal through objective 2.2 Build a Climate Resilient Nation. Adopting and enforcing disaster-resistant building codes is given as the example of “system-based, community-wide” efforts that improve resilience on a broader scale. The plan also recognizes the importance of advancing codes through FEMA programs and partnerships with state and local code officials.
