A New Approach to Training and Outreach ASFPM Conference – San Antonio, Texas May 24, 2012

Building Bridges in Region X

A New Approach to Training and OutreachASFPM Conference – San Antonio, Texas

May 24, 2012

PresentersJosha Crowley, PE, DWRE, CFM

Senior Engineer, RSCX Lead—STARR

Becca Croft, CFMSenior Planner, RSCX Training and Outreach Lead

—STARR

The Challenges

Enormous Region

$ tiny travel budget $

Broken RelationshipsFEMA hasn’t always focused on

collaborationMap Mod was mostly one-way

communication Lacked engagement Was not collaborative Communities left frustrated with the lack of

communication

Communities want to do the right thing, but don’t know where to turn (who to trust) for guidance.

The Solution

Information & TrainingEasily accessibleFreeTimelyInterestingInformativeTwo-way communication

The Products

Monthly NewsletterHighlights FEMA branches, staff, and

programsInformation about Risk MAP News from the Region, States and

communities Recent and upcoming eventsProject statusPolicy updatesTraining opportunities

Monthly NewsletterArticles come from many sources

Regional staffState NFIP and Risk MAP coordinatorsLocal communities with successful

projects2300+ subscribers

•City•County•State•Federal

•Private •Tribes•Education•Flood Districts

www.starr-team.comRegional workspacesAnnouncementsNews and updatesNewsletter archivesTraining calendarUpcoming eventsResources and linksProject status

TrainingFREE to anyone

Community Officials (local and state)Surveyors & EngineersPlanners

Delivered via WebExMost sessions recorded and available onlineLonger sessions repeated monthlyTraining can be deployed locally

Training Topics CAC/CAV Training Determining Base Flood Elevation Developing Hazard Mitigation Plans Elevation Certificates Elevation Certificates for A Zones Floodplain Development Permit

Review Floodplain Management in A Zones Inspecting Floodplain Development Hazard Mitigation Planning

Overview Hazard Mitigation Planning

Workshop HAZUS in Hazard Mitigation

Planning  

Letters of Map Change Overview Hazard Mitigation

Assistance Overview of HAZUS Earthquake

Losses Overview of HAZUS Flood Losses Post-Flood Recovery & Substantial

Damage Assessments for Planners Preparing Data for HAZUS Regulating Development in A Zones 2-Year Preferred Risk Policy

Extension Why Hydrology Matters

CEC Credit for CFMsHour-for-hour credit offered through ASFPMWebEx tools document participationFor 2+ hours, learning objective quiz required

The Region X Help Desk

regionxhelpdesk@starr-team.com

The Region X Help DeskStaffed by STARR - RSCXAnswers on any topic

NFIP Regulations and ComplianceProject/Study StatusLAMPCoastal Issues

Responses guaranteed within three daysQ&A logged and trackedReports to Region Repository of past answers

The Results

The ResultsFrequent, welcome contact between Region X,

states, and local communitiesFirst name basis with Region X and

STARR/RSC staffCommunities trust the informationCommunities know more about FEMA tools,

products, projects, and processes, so there are fewer misunderstandings

FEMA learns more about the needs of the communities and therefore can provide the appropriate assistance

Lessons LearnedOutreach is an investmentReduced risk through better partnershipsFewer appeals and congressional involvementRegion X is better informed about the needs

and concerns of the communities and stakeholders

Contact InformationJosha Crowley, PE, DWRE, CFM – STARR, FEMA

RSC XJosha.Crowley@STARR-Team.com(425) 329-3679

Becca Croft, CFM – STARR, FEMA RSC XBecca.Croft@STARR-Team.com(425) 329-3699

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Thank you!