Planning Branch

RIEMA’s Planning Branch is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to reduce risks and enhance the state’s resilience against natural and human-caused disasters. This section works collaboratively with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as private sector partners and community organizations, to ensure Rhode Island is prepared for emergencies and can recover efficiently when disasters occur.

Planning

Planning focuses on comprehensive emergency preparedness by developing and maintaining statewide emergency response plans. These plans address hazards such as hurricanes, flooding, severe winter storms, public health emergencies, and technological threats. The Branch conducts Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (THIRA) to evaluate vulnerabilities and develop strategies to improve response and recovery efforts. Additionally, the team provides technical assistance to municipalities in crafting their own local emergency operations plans, ensuring a coordinated response across jurisdictions.

Mitigation

Mitigation works to reduce or eliminate long-term risks from disasters by implementing proactive measures that protect lives, infrastructure, and the environment. This includes administering hazard mitigation grant programs that fund projects like floodplain management, infrastructure hardening, and property buyouts in high-risk areas. This branch also oversees Rhode Island’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, which outlines strategies to minimize disaster impacts and secures federal funding eligibility for mitigation projects.

Floodplain Management

RIEMA also administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for Rhode Island, ensuring that communities comply with federal floodplain management regulations to reduce flood risks. The branch provides technical assistance to municipalities in adopting and enforcing floodplain management ordinances, which are required for residents and businesses to be eligible for NFIP coverage. RIEMA also works with property owners, developers, and local officials to promote flood risk reduction strategies, such as elevating structures, improving drainage systems, and mitigating repetitive loss properties. By facilitating flood insurance enrollment, risk assessments, and public outreach, the agency helps Rhode Island residents and businesses better prepare for and recover from flooding events. 

Together, RIEMA’s Planning Branch plays a crucial role in ensuring Rhode Island’s preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities are strong, sustainable, and adaptive to evolving threats. Through strategic planning, policy development, hazard mitigation, and flood risk reduction initiatives, this branch enhances public safety and fosters a more resilient Rhode Island.