5.1.3 Goals and Policies

1. Goal 1
1. 1.1. Policies
2. Goal 2
1. 2.1. Policies
3. Goal 3
1. 3.1. Policies
4. Goal 4
1. 4.1. Policies
5. Goal 5
1. 5.1. Policies
6. Goal 6
1. 6.1. Policies
7. Goal 7
1. 7.1. Policies

Goal 1

Surprise is a healthy community.

Policies

Continue to identify and reduce barriers to create an accessible community for all.
Create education programs to promote good personal health.
Building codes should promote a high quality of life for people of all abilities.
Encourage wellness through preventative health options.
Increase options for aging in place.
Promote the design of walkable, inclusive communities.

Goal 2

Threats of natural and human-induced hazards are minimized.

Policies

Strive to minimize the hazards of flooding from rivers, washes, and stormwater.
Protect the community from geological instability and subsidence.
Prevent unnecessary exposure of people and property to risks of damage or injury from hazardous materials.
Promote education on the proper handling, storage, use, and disposal of hazardous materials.
Promote policies and development standards that aid in prevention of natural and human-induced hazards

Goal 3

The community is well prepared to respond to natural and human induced catastrophic events.

Policies

Support policies and development standards that allow for appropriate response by emergency services.
Continue to work with local and regional entities to promote an effective and efficient communication system.
Ensure clear, accurate, and timely communication of critical information regarding events, safety, and assistance.
Ensure there are adequate resources for training of emergency response personnel.
Continue to prepare and update emergency procedures for natural or man-made disasters.
Promote protection and preservation of natural drainage systems as the primary emphasis of city stormwater management efforts.
Ensure planned land development and building codes are designed to reduce avoidable property damage from storms/flooding and other natural events.
The city shall continue to coordinate its regional flood control planning with the Maricopa County Flood Control District and require adequate retention for new development.
Promote community awareness of risks associated with flooding.
Conduct timely reviews to ensure an effective update of the city's emergency response and recovery plan to reflect current risk/threat awareness.
Ensure adequate resources and training for critical staff positions.
Provide an integrated approach to planning and preparedness for emergencies and disasters.
Construct city facilities that will remain operable during and after a major catastrophic event.
Collaborate with the medical community in evaluating the effectiveness of the emergency medical system.
Effectively coordinate response of city staff and apply city resources to rapidly restore order and begin the process of recovery.
Provide adequate access for emergency vehicles, particularly fire fighting equipment, as well as secure evacuation routes.
Establish an effective relationship with federal, state, and local agencies designed to support the community in times of emergency.
Coordinate emergency efforts with the Arizona Department of Emergency Management, Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management, agencies, and jurisdictions to provide an effective and coordinated response to any emergency/disaster.

Goal 4

People and property are not exposed to risks of damage or injury from hazardous materials.

Policies

Route the vehicular transport of all hazardous materials and waste products away from residential neighborhoods in accordance with the adopted and incorporated federal hazardous materials transportation regulations.
Periodically update its adopted truck route through the city.
Support state and federal legislation that strengthens safety requirements for transporting hazardous materials.
Collaborate with other regulatory agencies to assist people with their concerns and needs related to the use, storage, handling, and safe disposal of hazardous materials.
Prepare strategies and plans for evacuating inhabitants and handling emergencies involving hazardous materials.
Educate the public about the risks of hazardous material within their homes and businesses, and vehicles that move hazardous waste throughout the community.

Goal 5

Risks from natural and man-made fires are reduced.

Policies

Maintain appropriate front, side, and rear yard setback requirements to minimize the threat of a spreading fire.
Evaluate, monitor, and remove dilapidated and underutilized structures that pose a fire threat in the city.
Encourage automatic sprinkler systems in all buildings, including single-family dwellings.
Consider the severity of natural fire hazards, potential damage from wild land and structural fires, adequacy of fire protection, and mitigation measures consistent in the review of projects.
Consider requiring adherence to International Wildlife Urban Interface Code standards in the design of new development in northern area of the city.
Conduct annual fire inspections of all commercial occupancies to ensure adherence to the city-adopted Fire Code.
Continue evaluating the feasibility of requiring that all newly constructed residential occupancies contain residential fire sprinklers.
Require on-site detection and suppression, including automatic sprinkler systems, where available services do not provide acceptable levels of protection.
Continue to support automatic aid agreements with municipal neighbors in the suppression of fire in the region.
Collaborate with the business community to establish partnerships in fire prevention efforts.
Emphasize public education programs that focus on fire prevention.

Goal 6

Broad interdisciplinary-derived methods and emerging techniques are employed to minimize risks.

Policies

Utilize the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) to enhance the safety of proposed and existing developments from crime.
Consider “Safescape” concepts in development review of new projects.
Collaborate with private and public health agencies to promote health and injury prevention as prevention strategies.
Promote the use of alarm systems in all non-residential buildings.
Consider the use of photo-radar to monitor dangerous traffic intersections.
Keep pace with the growth of the city and the associated enforcement challenges.

Goal 7

Clear, accurate, and timely communication of critical information regarding events, safety, and assistance is disseminated when needed.

Policies

Make information available to the general public as available.
Enhance the effectiveness of the emergency response system by connecting people with appropriate non-emergency agencies.
Provide pro-active education to the community with special emphasis on high risk populations.
Assist in the development of emergency preparedness curriculum and training materials for schools and day care centers.
Encourage business and industry to plan for recovery from catastrophic events.
Provide guidance to citizens on disaster recovery through brochures, talks, and other public information methods.
Implement educational seminars, community exercises and emergency response drills.

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