September is National Preparedness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time in our communities.

In conjunction with this important national public awareness effort, Metro is now seeking L.A. County residents’ help in providing input on the agency’s own Local All-Hazards Mitigation Plan.

As authorized by the federal Stafford Act, the plan identifies a myriad of regional natural hazards (earthquakes, fires, or floods) that would specifically impact Metro properties and public transit system. Additionally, the plan outlines measures to minimize or eliminate threats associated with hazards that may affect any Metro property.

Here’s why public feedback on this plan is important to Metro transit riders: the benefits of having a Metro Board-adopted and state/federal approved plan provides Metro with the ability to apply for FEMA non-emergency disaster funding to help protect the agency’s public facilities.

Specifically, FEMA provides financial assistance to state, local and special districts to engage in mitigation activities to:

-Reduce the loss of life, property, essential services, critical facilities and economic hardship.

-Reduce short-term and long-term recovery and reconstruction costs.

-Protect undamaged parts of a facility

-Prevent/reduce damages caused by future natural and man-made disasters

-Coincide mitigation funding with repairs of disaster damaged facilities.

Public input to Metro’s Local Hazard Plan could help further mitigate these hazards and help ensure the safest possible system for riders.

Metro strongly encourages interested individuals to review our plan today. To do so, click here.

After reviewing our plan, you can email your comments to Metro’s Emergency Management Department at metroEM@metro.net. Public feedback will be accepted throughout September.  The deadline is October 18.

Do your part to support National Preparedness Month and help Metro better address any potential natural hazards in the future that may impact our community!