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Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council

The Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council brings together a body of experts in a multitude of related fields that address the challenges associated with identifying and implementing effective mitigation and community resilience practices.

The work of MMC has informed thousands—perhaps tens of thousands—of mitigation decisions that led to effective public policy on many levels. Its goal is simple: promoting disaster resilience, while becoming a focal point of credible information and whole-building strategies that strengthen individual buildings, businesses, communities and the nation.

Hazard mitigation only works when implemented, and there are a number of real-world barriers to implementation. A large part of the council’s mission is to identify how to reduce or eliminate these barriers when developing the best possible mitigation strategies, measures, and policies.

Disaster Resilience

To bring together a body of experts in a multitude of related fields that address the challenges associated with identifying and implementing effective mitigation and community resilience practices

Information Hub

To inform the industry, government, and general public on mitigation decisions that lead to effective public policy on many levels

Whole-Building Strategies

To research and promote whole-building strategies that strengthen individual buildings, businesses, communities and the nation

Members

MMC membership is voluntary and includes public and private sector architects, engineers, contractors and risk assessment practitioners.

Officers
Chair

Dr. Anne Cope
Chief Engineer, IBHS

Vice Chair

Russ Strickland
Secretary, MD Dept. of Emergency Department

Secretary

Natalie F. Enclade, PhD
Executive Director, BuildStrong America

Member at Large

Alice Yates
Director of Government Affairs, ASHRAE

Immediate Past Chair

Sara Yerkes
International Code Council (retired)

Chair of Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate

Daniel Kaniewski, PhD
Managing Director, Marsh McLennan

Board of Directors Liaison

Lori Peek, PhD
Director, Natural Hazards Center and Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Colorado Boulder

Staff Lead

Jiqiu (JQ) Yuan, PhD, PE, PMP
Vice President, Engineering, National Institute of Building Sciences

Committee on Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (CFIRE)

The Committee on Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (CFIRE) examines the intersection of finance, insurance, investment and design, construction and ownership to encourage the development and assist in the affordability of high-performance buildings. Banks, insurance companies, appraisers and real estate firms all play a significant role in how such buildings are procured, designed and constructed. How these different segments evaluate the risk associated with particular projects, technologies and practices can have an enormous impact on whether a specific idea gets the funding and insurance needed to move forward to fruition. However, banks, insurance companies, appraisers and real estate firms often lack the necessary data to support building industry efforts to go beyond "business as usual." CFIRE works to address these challenges by promoting a cooperative process and open dialogue among the different parties to support the achievement of cost-effective high-performance buildings.

Chair of Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate

Daniel Kaniewski, PhD
Managing Director, Public Sector, Marsh McLennan

CFIRE Steering Committee

Timothy Judge
SVP, Chief Climate Officer, Fannie Mae
Michael Newman
Senior Director, Law and Public Policy, IBHS
Bill Garber
Director, Government and External Relations, Appraisal Institute
Cassandra Skidanov
Affordable Lending Manager, Housing Insights and Solutions, Freddie Mac
Natalie Enclade
Executive Director, BuildStrong Coalition
Jamie Woodwell
Vice President, Research & Economics, Mortgage Bankers Association

NIBS STAFF LEAD

Jiqiu (JQ) Yuan
Executive Director, MMC & BSSC, NIBS

Reports
Mitigation Saves

$100 billion of average annual loss: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2020) reports U.S. historical catastrophe losses showing that over the last five years, the nation has averaged 14 floods, wildfires, and other disasters each costing more than $1 billion and costing America on average $106 billion annually.

6%: U.S. disaster losses are growing about 6% per year, 10 times faster than the population.

$520 billion: Price tag to implement cost-effective resilience measures for private sector buildings. (This does not include the trillions of dollars needed to upgrade the nation’s D+ infrastructure.)

13:1: Mitigation Saves up to $13 per $1 Invested.

Should you have any additional questions about the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council or would like to know more about the council's activities, please contact:

Staff Lead

Jiqiu (JQ) Yuan, PhD, PE, PMP
Executive Director, Multi-Hazard Mitigation and BSSC
National Institute of Building Sciences

70
Companies & Organizations
130
Subject Matter Experts & Participants
5
Publications

READY TO CONTRIBUTE?

NIBS COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY DRIVING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT.

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