Description
This mitigation project is designed to bring together states and critical infrastructure owners and operators to share best practices and mitigation project ideas, develop infrastructure projects and grant applications, synchronize and coordinate federal and industry investments and resources, and develop training and education initiatives to develop the next generation of hazard mitigation professionals. 

Vision
Empowering the next generation of hazard mitigation professionals to develop creative and effective strategies, resources, projects, and solutions that reduce infrastructure risks and enhance resilience in our communities.

Mission
To unite states and critical infrastructure owners and operators to create a culture of safety and resilience by sharing mitigation best practices, discussing project ideas & approaches, developing infrastructure-focused mitigation projects and grant applications, leveraging resources, and fostering education and training initiatives to develop the next generation of hazard mitigation professionals.

 Objectives

• Establish a collaborative, FOIA-protected planning framework for stakeholders to work together towards a more resilient infrastructure through integrated planning, resource sharing, and government and industry investment coordination.
  
• Facilitate the exchange of mitigation project ideas between states, critical infrastructure owners, and operators.
• Foster the development of innovative and effective infrastructure projects and winning grant applications that reduce vulnerability to hazards.
• Promote sharing best practices and lessons learned in hazard mitigation across different sectors and industries.
• Develop training and education initiatives to build the capacity of hazard mitigation professionals and the next generation of leaders in this field.
• Advocate for policies and programs that support hazard mitigation efforts and promote adopting best practices and standards.
• Enhance the coordination and collaboration among states and critical infrastructure owners and operators to improve the effectiveness of hazard mitigation efforts.
  

Deliverables

• Community - Form State Hazards Mitigation Work Group w/States to discuss issues, best practices, partnering, & infrastructure projects with critical infrastructure owners and operators.
• Projects – Form project-focused committees that bring together industry and states to discuss and design infrastructure-focused mitigation projects in energy, water, communications, transportation, or related sectors based on state needs.
• Partnerships – Form strategic partnerships with organizations who align with this initiative.
• Resources & Tools – Leverage existing resources and tools that help promote mitigation-based education, training, and exercises.
• Exercises – Develop cross-sector exercises with states and industry sectors that develop a shared understanding of the mitigation issues, federated agreements on strategies and approaches for next steps, and create coordinated actions between industry and government resources and investments in a way that reduces risks and increases infrastructure resilience.