This study assessed and then determined how to begin to address the resource and capacity needs of hazard mitigation planners in the interior South Central United States. The focus group-based research study involved 31 participants who worked in one or more low-capacity jurisdictions (that is, those that lacked grant management or technical capacity, resources, or public or political support with respect to hazard mitigation) across Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana. Participants were planners, emergency managers, and related officials whose work spanned approximately 160 jurisdictions. They participated in four rounds of state-based focus groups. In total, 12 focus group meetings were conducted along with two online surveys.
Through a collaboration with the National Hazard Mitigation Association and support from FEMA Region VI, four research questions were addressed:
- Why are most low-capacity communities unable to address their existing hazard-related challenges?
- What additional capacities and capabilities are needed so that low-capacity communities can address their hazard challenges that are being/will be exacerbated by climate change?
- How should a hazard mitigation planning template be designed so it: a) better aligns with the capabilities and capacities of low-capacity communities and b) advances climate resilience and disaster risk reduction more broadly rather than only meeting a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan requirement?
- What hazard mitigation planning capability and capacity gaps exist that could be addressed by the NHMA Disaster Risk Reduction Ambassador Curriculum and other applicable training curriculums?
Aside from persistent funding needs and the need for FEMA requirements to be streamlined, the following were identified to be the primary capacities and resources needed to improve hazard mitigation planning and implementation across the region:
- Improved Region 6 hazard mitigation planning guide
- Develop and offer additional training for current hazard mitigation professionals
- Raise awareness of the importance, urgency, and relevance of hazard mitigation to high level local decision makers
- Develop a hazard mitigation action database web tool
- Build the next generation of hazard mitigation workforce professionals
- Succinct messages that communicate about climate change in ways that are relevant to local scales and community values.
To learn more, see the white paper and the following supplemental materials: improved hazard mitigation planning guide, list of eight training objectives, list of hazard mitigation messaging techniques, and a design concept for a hazard mitigation action database. A journal article is under development.
A webinar covered the topic in October 2025 and the recording from which can be viewed here.