The Town of Chester is developing a Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan beginning in April 2016. The hazard mitigation plan is being developed by the Town with assistance from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The plan assesses the risks faced from natural hazards, identifies action steps that can be taken to prevent damage to property and loss of life, and prioritizes 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. (Photo courtesy MassLive.com)