Holyoke residents are invited to provide comments on the update of the Holyoke Hazard Mitigation Plan Monday, November 16, 5:00 p.m. at the Holyoke Fire Department Headquarters classroom, 600 High Street. The plan is being updated by the City’s Hazard Mitigation Committee with assistance from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. All members of the public, representatives from surrounding communities, and businesses are welcome to attend the event.

The meeting will include an introduction to the hazard mitigation planning process and a summary of existing mitigation initiatives. PVPC and city staff will be available to answer questions and listen to comments from the public.

This planning effort is being undertaken to help the City of Holyoke assess the risks faced from natural hazards, identify action steps that can be taken to prevent damage to property and loss of life, and prioritize funding for mitigation efforts. A mitigation action is any action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from hazards.

For more information, please contact PVPC’s Jaimye Bartak at jbartak@pvpc.org or (413) 781-6045.