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Abstract U.S. states, territories, and tribal areas develop State Hazard Mitigation Plans (SHMPs) to reduce the impact of disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approves SHMPs every five years as required for states to receive disaster relief grants and mitigation project funding. In 2023, FEMA’s updated policy guidance for SHMPs took effect, recommending more robust use of social vulnerability as an assessment of equity in multi-hazard risk assessments. Such approaches are necessary because social vulnerability emerges from systemic inequities that result in marginalized populations facing disproportionate exposure and impacts from natural hazards. We developed two novel datasets on the different population groups, definitions, and measures of social vulnerability included in SHMPs for all 50 U.S. states and the 5 inhabited U.S. territories. Our analysis shows that states differ in terms of how (and if) social vulnerability is defined and measured. All plans include at least one vulnerable population in their guidance – most often the elderly, children, or people with disabilities. Inclusion of other populations such as immigrants, LGBTQIA + persons, or unhoused persons is much more varied. The study concludes with recommendations for how SHMPs can advance equitable and inclusive planning processes that center robust definitions and measures of social vulnerability and socially vulnerable populations. 

U.S. state, territorial, and tribal government officials develop State Hazard Mitigation Plans (SHMPs) to assist in reducing the risk of disaster impacts on people, physical infrastructure, and the natural environment. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approves SHMPs every five years as a requirement to be eligible to receive funding for FEMA disaster relief grants and disaster mitigation projects. As of April 2023, updated FEMA policy guidance for SHMPs is in effect that calls for greater community engagement in the planning process and stipulates that plans consider equity and climate change. In response to these changes, this project takes the position that more robust conceptualizations of socially vulnerable populations and inclusive use of social vulnerability data can help states in the development of multi-hazard risk assessments. Social vulnerability emerges from systemic inequities, resulting in populations facing disproportionate impacts in disasters. It is a helpful framework for identifying underserved and marginalized populations. Given the crucial importance of considering social vulnerability in mitigation planning, our research team developed two novel datasets with descriptive data of the populations, definitions, and different measures of social vulnerability included in SHMPs for all 50 states and 5 inhabited U.S. territories. Specifically, this project includes two datasets: (1) a quantitative dataset where mentions of socially vulnerable populations and concepts are marked with a binary indicator of inclusion or exclusion in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan and (2) a qualitative dataset that contains quotes and locations of populations and concepts throughout each SHMP. The corresponding mission for each dataset includes: (1) the State Hazard Mitigation Plan dataset; (2) a data dictionary with description of each variable output; (3) variable definitions for the population groups included in State Hazard Mitigation Plans; and (4) a READ ME file with important information. These datasets and associated materials can help State Hazard Mitigation Officers and their technical partners identify gaps in addressing social vulnerability as they update the SHMPs for the areas they serve. These resources are available to researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and others who are interested in addressing social vulnerability in hazard mitigation planning. 

This mission includes research materials developed by the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado Boulder in accordance with Colorado House Bill 23-1237 (see related work). For this mission, we collected information using a statewide survey of emergency response personnel (222 responses) and meetings with key partners (37 people). Included here are the survey recruitment materials, survey instrument, raw survey data. We also include a partner meeting question bank that we used to conduct partner meetings. Lastly, we include two annotated bibliographies as documents. We anticipate these materials may be useful in developing future surveys on alerts and warnings and developing interview questions for emergency alert officials. This data could also be reproduced to compare alert and warning services across other states.Included here are data and research materials that supported the investigation of emergency alert and warning systems in Colorado developed in accordance with Colorado House Bill 23-1237 (https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb23-1237). The aim of the project was to identify how to improve emergency alerting for people who speak non-English languages and have auditory or visual disabilities. First, we include two annotated bibliographies with over 60 publications on topics related to alert and warning systems, disability access, and language access published in the last 20 years. Second, we include a dataset of survey questions, along with the 222 responses from emergency response personnel in Colorado involved in alert and warning activities. Lastly, we also include a data dictionary, partner meeting questionnaire, recruitment materials, and a sample letter of support from a key partner. These data and materials could be used to review relevant publications on this topic and to aid in developing future surveys focused on alert and warning systems. For final report and additional project context, see project webpage: https://hazards.colorado.edu/research-projects/colorado-inclusive-language-and-access-in-emergency-alerts. 

This dataset includes information regarding 55 State Hazard Mitigation Plans (SHMPs) for all 50 U.S. states and the 5 inhabited U.S. territories. Washington DC’s SHMP is not publicly available and can only be accessed through signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement. As such, it is not included in our dataset. These plans were approved by FEMA between 2016-2021. This data publication includes: (1) the State Hazard Mitigation Plan dataset; (2) a data dictionary with description of each variable output; and (3) variable definitions for the population groups included in State Hazard Mitigation Plans. The dataset was generated through reviewing publicly available plans and coding for socially vulnerable populations. This dataset allows for quantitative analysis of the inclusion (or exclusion) of vulnerable populations in SHMPs. The envisioned audience for this data and information includes government officials, researchers, and others who are interested in understanding patterns in the inclusion or exclusion of socially vulnerable populations in SHMPs.