On January 15, 2026, emergency managers, public health professionals, healthcare coalition coordinators, and regional planners met to discuss opportunities to better integrate Hazard Mitigation Plans (HMPs) and Health Hazard Vulnerability Assessments/Risk Assessments (HVAs/RAs).
Currently, these two planning processes are largely conducted independently to meet different state and federal requirements and contracts. The workshop sought to identify specific areas where these processes overlap and to determine if a coordinated approach could reduce the administrative burden on local jurisdictions while improving the quality and consistency of risk data.
The goal of this initiative is to move toward a model where these assessments are integrated rather than parallel. By aligning update cycles where possible, standardizing hazard terminology, and centralizing data resources, Wisconsin can create a more comprehensive approach to hazard assessment while providing space for the Public Health and Emergency Management professionals to tailor strategies and interventions for their own communities.
Read a summary of the January workshop here.