FEMA Sponsoring Flood Forum

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sponsoring a special “Flood Forum” in the Seattle area on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006 at the Fife Community Center, 2111 54th Avenue East, in Fife, from 12:30 to 4:30 pm.

Forum topics range from “The NFIP Reform Act of 2004—How Will it Affect Your Business,” and “Effects of Map Changes on Floodplain Compliance and Washington Floodway Law,” to “Elevation Certificate Training;” with ample time built-in for Questions and Answers.

According to FEMA Region 10 Flood Insurance and Mitigation Director Carl Cook the forum is a good attendance event for insurance agents, lenders, realtors, community officials and surveyors.

“Providing flood insurance to those who need it is a crucial FEMA mission, and we have a vested interest in enhancing NFIP knowledge within that expanding range of institutions and industry sectors touched by flood hazards,” said Cook. “This nation, and certainly the Pacific Northwest needs lenders, realtors, surveyors and insurance agents that are not only knowledgeable about the National Flood Insurance Program, but comfortable in handling flood insurance issues.”

For those community segments unable to send staff for training, FEMA can arrange a sponsored seminar for groups of 25 or more. Additional workshop information can be obtained by calling the NFIP Region 10 Office at (425) 488-5820, and through e-mail requests to lmelville@csc.com.