The 2017 draft Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan is now available for public review and comment on Fairfax government websites and public review and comments are encouraged up to Friday, Oct. 2.

The plan was updated by the Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from 19 jurisdictions, including the City of Falls Church. The committee plans to have it approved by February 2017 to comply with the five year update cycle required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.