Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, has been selected to assist the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (WVDHSEM) with updating its 2010 State All-Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP). The firm has also been tasked with developing the state's first Threat Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA), which will evaluate natural, technological, and terrorist/manmade threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to residents.

The mitigation plan update, which will meet Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements, will be completed by the current plan's October 18, 2013, expiration date to enable the state to maintain all Stafford Act and Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant eligibility.

Dewberry has extensive experience in developing and updating hazard mitigation plans for government agencies. The firm assisted in the West Virginia 2010 SHMP update and has also supported Appalachian Joint Field Offices with hazard mitigation plans, public assistance grant applications, and individual assistance and household programs. Dewberry recently worked with Maryland on its fast-tracked state plan update; and is currently performing a THIRA for the state of South Dakota and is about to begin its SHMP update as well.

The firm's multidiscipline expertise includes structural engineering, environmental engineering, dam safety, gob pile safety, river restoration, human-caused hazard analysis, and hydrologic and hydraulic flood analysis.