The city of Simi Valley is coordinating development of a plan to identify risks posed by natural and man-made disasters and ways to minimize the damage from those disasters.

Known as the Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, a group of local agency representatives will set out to complete the plan by Oct. 26. The planning process encourages public participation and includes a number of public meetings, as well as a website to gather input.

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, which established hazard mitigation planning requirements for local governments, was intended to make communities across the nation more "disaster resistant" by encouraging pre-disaster planning and mitigation efforts.

The first public meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wed., Aug. 18, at the Simi Valley Police Department, 3901 Alamo St. in Simi Valley.

"Public input into this process is very important and residents are encouraged to attend the meetings, make comments and ask questions," said Mike Sedell, city manager.

During the meetings, the city will provide a briefing on known local hazards and the existing emergency response capabilities. Residents will be able to offer suggestions on what hazards to include in the plan, as well as what the community should do to minimize the effects of disasters.

Planning efforts will focus on potential impacts of natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires and floods, also man-made hazards such as hazardous materials releases and terrorism.

For more information, call Randy White, emergency services coordinator, at 583-6982 or email him at rwhite@simivalley.org.