FEMA provides many tools for laboratories to use in identifying and assessing risks. These tools are
available on their website and can be used to evaluate human, technological, and natural hazards. Their tools range from
simple grids to complex grids, as shown to the right.
Let's take a look at the complex grid tool on the bottom right:
- The Risk Probability and Risk Priority rate determines how prepared the facility is should the event occur.
- The numerical values for Risk Probability, Impact, and Mitigation are based on history and estimate if the future will be changing.
- For example, is the changing climate going to increase the possibility of severe weather in your area?
- The Risk Priority is obtained by multiplying the numerical values for Risk Probability, Impact, and Mitigation.
- The higher the Risk Priority Impact (RPI) score, the higher the number of resources that should be devoted to responding to this potential event.
- The relative threat is a number that places the threat relative to the other events in the grid on a scale of 1-100.
