As the first to develop a statewide homeland security strategy, Arizona has been a leader on homeland security efforts since the tragic events of 9/11. To help direct homeland security efforts around the state, the Arizona Department of Homeland Security has worked in conjunction with the people and agencies involved in the joint homeland security mission to shape Arizona’s State Homeland Security Strategy.

Maricopa County and twenty four incorporated cities and towns, two tribes and one other governmental organization participated in a cooperative effort to update the Maricopa County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Hazard mitigation planning reduces the risk to people and property, and reduces the cost of recovering from a disaster. A hazard mitigation plan can help communities become more sustainable and disaster-resistant by focusing efforts on the hazards, disaster-prone areas and identifying appropriate mitigation actions. Effective mitigation planning and efforts can break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors officially adopted the Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan on April 14, 2010.