Recovery, Resilience, & Mitigation – Planning & Technical Support

Data-Driven Planning for a More Resilient Future

With more than one thousand FEMA-compliant benefit-cost analyses (BCA) and loss avoidance assessments (LAA) completed in the past seven years, YA Group brings unmatched experience to hazard mitigation planning and funding success.

Trusted by states, counties, and municipalities nationwide, we combine technical expertise with a strategic understanding of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs, including HMGP, BRIC, and FMA. We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach—each BCA and LAA is tailored to the unique risks, data, and funding objectives of your project.

From initial data development through FEMA review, YA serves as a reliable partner committed to strengthening applications, reducing revisions, and maximizing funding eligibility—so your community can move from planning to protection with confidence.

Who We Serve

YA helps communities and agencies move beyond recovery toward long-term strength and stability. We provide strategic planning and technical expertise that enables organizations and critical infrastructure systems to prepare for disruptions, respond effectively, and recover faster—while reducing future risk.

Our data-driven assessments, collaborative planning approach, and cross-stakeholder coordination turn complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies. By integrating regulatory compliance, proven best practices, and innovative solutions, we help clients make informed decisions that protect investments, strengthen resilience, and deliver sustainable outcomes—before, during, and after disasters.

Demonstrating the Value of Mitigation: Protecting Lives, Property, and Investments

As required by its FEMA-approved Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan, Florida routinely undertakes Lost Avoidance Assessments (LAA) post-major disaster declarations. These assessments are crucial, enabling the state to demonstrate the real-world impact of its mitigation measures in terms of reducing or preventing losses from such catastrophic events. They are also vital for strategic planning, providing Florida with the insights needed to refine its approach to mitigating damage and losses in an era of increasingly severe weather phenomena. A key element in these evaluations is the calculation of Return on Investment (ROI), providing a tangible measure of a project’s cost-effectiveness. The aftermath of Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022 necessitated a comprehensive LAA by the FDEM Mitigation Bureau. Tasked by FDEM, our team spearheaded the LAA for both hurricanes, following the State’s guidelines as outlined by FEMA’s Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan. The project required extensive data analysis, scrutinizing a variety of hazard mitigation projects funded through various State and Federal grant programs

The findings from our LAA indicate that Florida’s mitigation initiatives have been successful in protecting against the ravages of these powerful storms and are economically viable. The work done by YA in these assessments provided the State with valuable insights, enabling the quantification of the benefits of mitigation projects. This is not only informative for current mitigation planning but also ensures the judicious and effective use of resources in future mitigation investments, reinforcing the State’s commitment to proactive disaster preparedness and resilience.