Defining and Building Capacity for Disaster Mitigation
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Counties and other local governments are at the frontlines of extreme climate-related events, leading the immediate disaster response and recovery, whatever the availability of internal infrastructure and resources. While disaster resilience is an intergovernmental responsibility, the capacity of local governments to prepare, respond and recover is critical to mitigating the loss and damage caused by disasters.
For National Preparedness Month, this webinar offered an engaging discussion of the key elements of capacity for disaster resilience. Speakers highlighted how to build and sustain local capacity to secure funds, staffing and partnerships, drawing on findings from an intergovernmental roundtable convened by NACo and The Pew Charitable Trusts. The webinar recording is now available on this page.
Watch Recording
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Resource
2024 National Preparedness Month: County Participation Toolkit
Featured Initiative
Resilient Counties Initiative
NACo works to strengthen county resiliency by building leadership capacity to identify and manage risk, and allow counties to become more flexible and responsive.
U.S. Department of the Interior issues new NEPA regulations recognizing local governments as cooperating agencies
On February 23, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a final rule updating the Department’s regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; P.L. 91-190). In a step forward for counties, the final rule reinstates provisions that name local government agencies as cooperating agencies during the NEPA environmental review process.
House Agriculture Committee advances 2026 Farm Bill
On March 5, the House Agriculture Committee voted to advance its version of the 2026 Farm Bill.
NOAA outlines help for counties navigating drought’s growing risks
In April, the National Integrated Drought Information System will launch the Mid-Atlantic Drought Early Warning System, which will help county officials allocate resources and attention to mitigate drought-related disasters.
Congress increases oversight of Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund
On February 3, Congress passed new funding and authority for an audit and expanded oversight of the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund, which houses federal funds for recovery from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster. The provision was included in the Financial Services-General Government appropriations bill (FSGG), which was one of five included in a minibus package passed by Congress (P.L. 119-75).
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces repeal of 2009 Endangerment Finding for greenhouse gases
On February 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it was repealing the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which is basis for EPA regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Clean Air Act.
County Leaders Navigating FEMA Changes: A Fireside Chat with Former FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on Preparedness, Leadership, and Practical Action
The session will explore what counties can control — from pre-disaster planning and cross-department coordination to post-disaster recovery positioning — even as broader policy conditions shift.
Speakers
Mathew Sanders
Hon. Archie Chaisson, III
Megan Houston
