Firgrove Mutual Inc. Hazard Mitigation Plan – 2025-2030 Update in Progress
Tap water - always there for you, right? Most of us don’t really think much about our tap water, unless we lose service, or something doesn’t seem right.
Have you ever wondered, “What if an earthquake, or other natural catastrophe, resulted in major damage to water infrastructure?” “What if someone were to make an attempt to contaminate our water supply?” “What if civil unrest or a major transportation emergency were to impact the ability of water system personnel to do their jobs?” “Does my water company have a back-up plan?” “Have measures been formulated in advance for natural and man-made emergencies?”
In addition to established protocol that ensures continuity of operations, Firgrove Mutual Inc. (Firgrove) has a Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) that was developed in collaboration with Pierce County and partnering entities across the region and approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This coordinated effort serves to make additional resources available to Firgrove in the event of a large-scale disaster, while also minimizing Firgrove’s vulnerability through advanced planning.
Another benefit of having an approved HMP is that it makes Firgrove eligible to apply for grant money for qualifying projects. This helps offset revenue requirements for the utility’s capital improvement plan and in turn, reduce the cost to shareholders when aging water infrastructure needs to be upgraded or replaced.
In short, Firgrove’s HMP helps temper the impacts of disasters and improves water system resiliency at reduced cost through FEMA grants or disaster reimbursement.
The HMP must be updated every five years and Firgrove has begun its update process for the 2025-2030 plan. Firgrove customers are invited to review the current plan at www.firgrove.org and forward their feedback to be considered in the update.
Additionally, if you are interested in developing a personal household emergency response plan, or improving the plan you already have, the weblink below will take you directly to the Pierce County Personal Preparedness page with many other links from there:
https://www.piercecountywa.gov/945/Personal-Preparedness
· Make a Plan
· Know Your Hazards
· Help Others
· Preparedness Academy
· Neighborhood Preparedness
· Info on Mount Rainier
· Building a Kit
· Sign up for Pierce County Alert and receive messages about severe weather, law enforcement incidents in your area, road closures, etc. There is a lot of helpful information on this page!
Your feedback is valued and can be provided to Steve Sacksteder via email at: ssacksteder@firgrove.org or by phone at: 253-845-1542 x125.
2020-2025 Hazard Mitigation Program
