LANSING. Governor Jennifer M. Granholm announced today Michigan Technological University received a $75,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to prepare an allhazard disaster mitigation plan that will protect the health and safety of university students, faculty and staff as well as residents in the surrounding area. This will be first mitigation plan in the state developed by a public university.

“The development of disaster plan for both natural and human-made disasters is a good idea for any community,” said Granholm. “By being the first public university to develop a plan, Michigan Tech will set a precedent that I hope other universities will follow.”

The grant will cover the costs of plan development including the identification of possible hazards risk assessment, goal-setting and the prioritization of steps and resources. Under the grant terms, Michigan Technological University and the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Regional Development Commission will work jointly to develop the plan which they have three years to complete.

The grant will be administered by the Michigan State Police Emergency Management Division.