The function of Emergency Management for the City of Providence is shared among a number of City departments and state counterparts that are involved in hazard mitigation and emergency relief and response. Depending on the nature and severity of the emergency, staff from public works, police, fire and engineering will act in accordance with the City’s Emergency Management Operations Plan, is constantly being updated.

This plan establishes the Mayor as the director for Emergency Response and the main point of contact for all emergency management issues.

Due to the unpredictably and many potential sources of man-made disasters, Providence’s principal focus is concentrated on responses to the threat of natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, northeasters, and blizzards. In addition, the City, in accordance with title Ill Emergency Planning and Right to Know (Public Law 99-499) has emergency plans for each facility within the City. The Providence Fire Department has a hazardous materials response plan in effect, and the Narragansett Bay Commission has emergency rules and procedures relating to wastewater and sewage treatment plant protection. All plans are up-dated and kept on file with the appropriate partner agencies, Providence EMA, Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA), Rhode Island Department of Labor, and the Rhode Island League of Cities and City Inter-Local Risk Management Trust.

Strategy for Reducing Risks for Natural Hazards in Providence

The Providence Emergency Management Agency in cooperation The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency  (RIEMA) and The University of Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Center/Rhode Island Sea Grant has assisted the City in developing a specific Natural Hazard Mitigation Strategy. Mitigation planning combines technical analysis and community participation to make wise choices among alternative strategies to achieve long-term sustainability. This strategy will provide the framework for the City to conduct pro-active planning and education to prevent damage to property, life, and resources, and to preserve and enhance the quality of life, property and resources for residents and visitors of Providence by the following:

• Incorporating hazard mitigation into project review,

• Developing and implementing public outreach and incentive programs, and

• Determining post-disaster mitigation opportunities

Natural hazards that affect Providence are floods, severe winds and snow/ice. The mitigation strategy assesses what is at risk and recommends detailed mitigation actions, please refer to the local hazard mitigation strategy that is updated yearly.

GOAL

To conduct pro-active planning and education to prevent damage to property, life, and resources and to preserve and enhance the quality of life, property, and resources for residents and visitors of Providence by identifying and promoting educational opportunities to introduce residents and visitors to various appropriate hazard mitigation management strategies; and implementing a variety of technical and/or educational mechanisms for effective resource management programs, and to implement priority hazard mitigation programs in order to protect Providence’s cultural, historical, structural and natural environment, and to protect the individuals residing in Providence.

POLICIES

A. The City must do its utmost to secure public safety and prevent loss of property and life in the event of a natural or man-made emergency.

B. Provide for well-planned and effective emergency response through coordination with the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA), and adjacent cities, in developing an Emergency Operating Plan.

C. Continued participation in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System (CRS).