Description
1) NFIP Compliance Audit Update
Sarah Owen, FEMA, Sarah.Owen@fema.dhs.gov
Co-presenters: Shawn Jackson Shawn.Jackson@agriculture.arkansas.gov
Abstract: Next stop, implementation… FEMA has embarked on a multi-year journey to redesign the Community Assistance Contact (CAC)/Community Assistance Visit (CAV) process. The new National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Compliance Audit Program will increase resilience through increasing compliance. It will also increase transparency, consistency, and accountability in how a community’s floodplain management program is evaluated and allow the ability to track and understand compliance changes over time. Last Summer, FEMA launched a pilot of the future audit process in 7 states to test out a series of new tools and to collect feedback. This session will cover the pilot process from implementation to conclusion, sharing insights gained and lessons learned from over 500+ stakeholder comments collected during the pilot. Federal, state, and local officials will also learn what to expect from the new audit program and how FEMA plans to rollout changes to the current CAC/CAV process. We encourage attendees to share their expertise and feedback to the revised process—leveraging lessons learned and best practices for promoting a sound floodplain management program in their community.
2) Preparing for Your Next Compliance Audit: Approaches and Best Practices
Wade Weisman, PMP, CSP, Booz Allen Hamilton, Weisman_Wade@bah.com
Co-presenters: Jack Gleisberg, Booz Allen Hamilton, Gleisberg_Jack@bah.com
Abstract: Today, all eyes are on floodplain administrators. As climate change continues to inflict more billion-dollar disasters each year, floodplain administrators play a vital role in making certain that communities manage their development in a way that reduces flood losses, builds community resilience, and reduces disaster suffering. And with FEMA’s future implementation of the new National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Compliance Audit program, communities should expect to see their floodplain management programs audited much more frequently. The demands facing floodplain administrators may feel overwhelming – how does one begin to prepare? Federal Auditing and Mitigation experts will share best practices for implementing a comprehensive approach to systematically detect, evaluate, and address potential issues that may arise with your floodplain management program before they become a major compliance problem. Learn tools for shifting from a reactive to forward leaning risk management posture (e.g., developing risk profiling indicators, using monitoring and accountability tools, etc.). You’ll walk away with a proven framework to help avoid common pitfalls, like failing to follow standardized processes or collect documentation, to manage your floodplain management program more efficiently and effectively – helping to ensure you’re prepared for the next compliance audit.
3) Floodplain Management Compliance After a Disaster
Claire Jubb, AICP, CFM Charlotte County, FL
Co-presenters: None
Abstract: Charlotte County, FL took a direct hit from Hurricane Ian in 2022 and although most of the damage to structures was from wind and not flooding or storm surge, floodplain management is still of critical concern. 40% of the county is within a Special Flood Hazard Area and around 60% of the structures, many of which sustained some level of damage. Navigating through damage assessments and substantial damage when damage was not caused by flooding is a difficult conversation but being well prepared having clear procedures can help. Learn about how Charlotte County is ensuring compliance with substantial damage requirements and hear about some lessons learned.
Contributors
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Sarah Owen, FEMA
Ms. Sarah Owen currently works at FIMA Headquarters as an NFIP specialist and regional liaison who acts as a resource for regional regulatory support and national policy making. She worked as part of a team that created Policy #104-008-03 on Floodplain Management Requirements Agricultural and Accessory Structures. She also leads the Compliance Committee which aims to increase compliance with NFIP regulations on a national scale. Ms. Owen was a Natural Hazards Program Specialist with FEMA Region IX for over 10 years prior to working at FIMA HQ. She has experience with the interpretation and enforcement of NFIP regulations in arid regions, coastal zones, riverine areas, highly urbanized and extremely rural areas, including conducting mapping outreach, providing technical assistance, assisting communities with correcting NFIP violations, and coordinating with States to change laws that conflict with NFIP regulations. Ms. Owen has conducted multiple classes on Elevation Certificates, Substantial Damage/Improvement, NFIP Basics, and Coastal Regulations throughout Region IX. She has conducted Basic and Advanced NFIP classes at the Emergency Management Institute, as well as Train-the-Trainer classes, and was part of the national effort to redesign the national basic floodplain management class (E273). Ms. Owen has disaster experience on flood and hurricane disasters including Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and post-earthquake Preliminary Damage Assessments in Region IX. Prior to joining FEMA, Ms. Owen utilized her B.S. in geology working for environmental consulting companies to conduct groundwater, soil and soil vapor risk assessments, remediate sites contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons, and characterize the effects of forest harvesting activities on streams. Ms. Owen also served in the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan, teaching environmental studies to middle-school children.
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Wade Weisman
Wade Weisman has over 36 years of professional experience conducting audits for environmental and occupational safety and health programs across many Federal agencies. He has an in-depth working knowledge of policy mandates and understands the application of Federal, state and consensus standards for environmental management and occupational safety and health. He has hands-on experience with enterprise-wide environmental and safety and occupational health management system implementation, policy analysis and development and compliance and conformance auditing. He has served as an emergency responder and developed emergency response training, plans exercise scenarios and continuity of operations plans. He has instructed on technical ESH areas including Toxicology, Industrial Hygiene, Emergency Response, and Qualitative and Quantitative Risk assessment and has developed several risk-based assessment models for use by Federal Agencies in support of their environmental, safety, and auditing programs. He has a Master of Science in Public Health (Environmental Toxicology), is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
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Claire Jubb
Claire Jubb is the Assistant County Administrator for Charlotte County, FL. She earned a degree in public and private sector management from the University of Wales College Cardiff in the UK and has worked for Charlotte County in various roles since 2003. In 2020, Claire was promoted into her current role. As the Assistant County Administrator, Claire is part of a three-member executive leadership team responsible for the leadership and direction of all government operations for Charlotte County, Florida. Claire is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and a Certified Floodplain Manager and has led floodplain management initiatives and the county’s participation in the Community Rating System for many years. Claire is very active with the Florida Floodplain Managers Association (FFMA) and holds the position of Associate Director of Legislation, Treasurer and Policy Champion. In these roles, her goal is to expand the understanding of the importance of policy and legislation in floodplain management. She is an experienced and respected public speaker, having presented to the Association of State Floodplain Managers, National Association of County’s (NACo), Public CIO, the Governing Institute, and at many other local, state, and national events. Claire was named Civic Hero for Building Communities, by Accela Inc. in 2019, was a top ten finalist in the Route Fifty Navigator awards for Leadership and was the recipient of the 2019 Florida Floodplain Managers Association Service Award.