Murrieta Fire and Rescue is asking residents to complete an anonymous survey that will shape Riverside County's disaster preparedness strategy for the next five years.

The survey is part of the county's 2028 Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJLHMP), a federally required blueprint that identifies local hazards and lays out strategies to reduce their damage. Riverside County and 40 participating jurisdictions launched the update in the summer, Patch first reported on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Murrieta Fire and Rescue said on Facebook that the plan identifies hazards that could affect the community and outlines strategies to reduce their impacts before disasters strike. The department called resident feedback an important part of the planning process that helps inform future preparedness efforts.

The Riverside County Emergency Management Department (EMD) said the plan's goal is to save lives and protect property by reducing hazard vulnerability. County and local leaders will work alongside community members to identify risks, assess capabilities and develop a strategy to cut disaster vulnerability, according to the EMD website.

The anonymous survey asks about natural hazards and their impact on Riverside County residents. A notice from the city of Calimesa, another participating jurisdiction, described the survey as covering natural disaster impacts, communication preferences, family disaster plans and ideas for reducing community risk.

Federal law drives the timeline.

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires local governments to maintain an approved hazard mitigation plan to qualify for certain FEMA grants and post-disaster assistance. FEMA mandates that jurisdictions update and resubmit their plans every five years.

No closing date for the survey has been announced. The EMD website lists an Oct. 27 MJLHMP Steering Committee meeting, with fliers available in English and Spanish, though meeting time and location details were not available.

Residents with questions can email the Riverside County Emergency Management Department at [email protected] with the subject line "Comments about the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan."