Reducing Philadelphia’s Risk
The final 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) is here! Led by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the HMP serves as a deep look at the top 18 hazards the City faces. The HMP looks at the risk to hazards, our ability to deal with hazards, and lists ways the City can reduce the impact of the 18 hazards.
What is the Hazard Mitigation Plan?
Hazard Mitigation means taking action today to lower the risks from future natural or human-made emergencies. Instead of just reacting after a disaster strikes, the 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) outlines the steps the City can take to stop damage before it starts.
The HMP looks at 18 hazards, including flooding, extreme heat, cyberattacks, and large fires. Based on expert and community feedback, the City is focusing on five main goals:
- Protect Lives and Promote Fairness: Keep residents safe and make sure every neighborhood gets equitable support and protection.
- Strengthen Important Buildings: Protect homes, schools, utilities, and historic sites from damage.
- Support Local Businesses: Help neighborhood stores and the local economy bounce back quickly after a disaster.
- Protect Nature: Use trees, parks, and green space to reduce our risks to disasters such as extreme heat and flooding.
- Inform the Community: Help teach neighbors and City leaders to practice safety and know what we are at risk for.
To learn more, view the 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan. Plans and amendments from previous years are also available.
Why mitigate?
- Helps prevent loss of life and injury
- Prevents damage to property, businesses, and homes
- Every $1 spent in mitigation = $6 saved in disaster response and recovery
- Protects the City of Brotherly Love’s unique economic, cultural, and environmental features
How can you be involved?
Attend a workshop
Interested in learning more about emergency preparedness and the Hazard Mitigation Plan? Reach out to us at oem@phila.gov to learn about our workshops.
Follow us
Follow us on social media @PhilaOEM for updates.
Spread the word
Tell everyone who lives, works, or plays in Philadelphia about the plan and how they can get involved!
Reach out
Questions about the plan or are curious about how you can schedule a workshop for your community? Reach out to us at oem.hazmit@phila.gov.
Implementing mitigation projects
Does your City agency, organization, or non-profit have a risk reduction project that you think should be in the plan? Are you looking for opportunities to fund a risk reduction project? Check out the opportunities below!
Each fall, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opens up two Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs:
FEMA’s FMA and BRIC programs supply funds for hazard mitigation planning activities and implementation of mitigation projects in the City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. See the resources below to learn more about the City’s application process for these grants. To express interest in these grant opportunities, please reach out to oem@phila.gov.
- Identifying Mitigation Actions: A fact sheet about what makes a good mitigation project
- Preparing for FEMA’s Annual Hazard Mitigation Grants: A guide for potential City applications on planning for FEMA’s annual grant opportunities
Sign up for our newsletter
You can also receive OEM’s quarterly hazard mitigation newsletter to learn more about:
- Updates on new and ongoing hazard mitigation projects in the City;
- Updates on plan updates and annual plan reviews;
- State and Federal hazard mitigation updates that impact the City;
- Major grant opportunities, grant timelines, funding workshops, and opportunities for potential partnerships;
- Current training opportunities available; and
- Additional hazard mitigation resources.
You can also reach out to oem.hazmit@phila.gov to receive the hazard mitigation newsletter.