FEMA Request for RiskMAP

Contributing Ideas in support of the Risk MAP Production and Technical Services (PTS) Follow-On Acquisition

 Background

 FEMA’s Federal Insurance & Mitigation Administration (FIMA) manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the cornerstone of the nation’s strategy for preparing communities for flood disaster.  (Learn more about flood insurance at http://www.floodsmart.gov.)  NFIP was created to reduce flood damage by identifying risks, encouraging sound floodplain management, and providing a mechanism for the public to insure their investments.  FEMA and its governmental partners provide flood hazard data and maps to support flood insurance and floodplain management activities.

To leverage the successes of previous programs and further enhance the usability and value of flood hazard mapping, FEMA developed the Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) program.  Risk MAP combines flood hazard mapping, risk assessment tools and Hazard Mitigation Planning into one program.  This integrated program encourages beneficial partnerships and innovative uses of flood hazard and risk assessment data in order to minimize flood loss and build more resilient communities.

While the focus of Risk MAP is on flood hazard identification, risk assessment, and mitigation, working with communities to help them increase their resilience from all natural hazards is also a goal of the program.  Reducing risk to people and property from natural hazards and reducing a community’s long-term vulnerability may present additional opportunities that the community can leverage to create a safer tomorrow.

FEMA is conducting Market Research in preparation of procuring the next Production & Technical Services (PTS) contracts and is investigating new Community Engagement and Risk Communication (CERC) options.   Specifically, FEMA is interested in ideas to improve the day-to-day design, execution and management of CERC campaigns, products and services to encourage our nation’s communities to increase awareness and take action to reduce the risk of loss of life and property from floods and natural other hazards.  In addition, FEMA is looking at ways to leverage technology to increase efficiency, cost effectiveness and usability in its products and services.

These instructions briefly discuss how to access the FEMA IdeaScale site located at http://fema.ideascale.com/, create an account, and participate in the Risk MAP PTS discussion. 

We’re innovating new technology & techniques to educate ourselves about what ideas, best practices and proven techniques may be available to support the Risk MAP PTS Follow-On Acquisition. To start contributing ideas in support of market research for the Risk MAP Production and Technical Services (PTS) follow-on acquisition, simply go to http://fema.ideascale.com/.

To vote to Agree or Disagree and/or contribute to the conversations, just search for the “Risk MAP PTS” campaign under the list of campaigns along the left side of the webpage. Click on the Risk MAP PTS campaign to be directed to that page. Additionally, if you can’t find the Risk MAP PTS campaign on the left-hand side column, simply search for “Risk MAP” or “PTS” and the campaign should come up. We recommend posting your contributions anonymously so as not to sway the conversation or inhibit contributions from non-FEMA contributors. See more detailed instructions on how to register and participate in the site below.

Finally, we would appreciate it if you would share this site and these instructions with individuals or organizations whose inputs you think would benefit our Market Research. Since communication with industry is encouraged to conduct market research in advance of a solicitation per FAR Park 10 Market Research “Participating in interactive, on-line communication among industry, acquisition personnel, and customers”, feel free to distribute this invitation to entities outside the government. Our contracting officer is fully aware of, and supports this approach to conducting market research. Please note that the layout of the IdeaScale site may be different if you are accessing it using a mobile device.

FEMA Risk MAP Program 

 IdeaScale Log-in Instructions In the upper right corner of the page there are options to Register or Log in. If you are a new user to FEMA’s IdeaScale website, you must register. For returning users, your existing login will allow you to access the site. To register on the FEMA Ideascale site, just provide an email address to access to the site. Once you have entered this information, you will receive an email from FEMA to verify your account. Open the email and follow the link that says “Yes, this is my email!” We recommend you begin your efforts with viewing the brief IdeaScale familiarization video on the IdeaScale homepage: http://ideascale.com/. Please remember to choose the “anonymous” option when providing your feedback.

Kentucky Risk MAP (KYRiskMAP) and Social Media

Kentucky RiskMAP’s primary goal is to communicate risk to all of its stakeholders including the general public.  Social Media is a widely popular and growing tool for communicating messages of all kinds, and as such has great value for furthering the goals of RiskMAP.

KYRiskMAP is established on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter where we share messages that are both original content and shared from other official agencies such as FEMA, USGS, and KYEM.  Click on the RiskMAP icons below to access these pages and bookmark them for future reference.

Guidelines for Determining Flow Frequency

Link here to the update from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) regarding USGS Bulletin 17B, Guidelines for Determining Flood Flow Frequency.”  Bulletin 17B is the technical underpinning of Federal planning for extreme floods and the basis for the FEMA’s flood-insurance maps, as well as the design of major dams, bridges, and other water-related infrastructure throughout the nation.

Request a Change in Your Property’s Flood Zone Designation Online!

New Online Letter of Map Change (LOMC) Application Fact Sheet

On December 17, 2012, FEMA is launching the Online Letter of Map Change (LOMC) – a new way to submit a request to change a property’s flood zone designation. The new Online LOMC application allows anyone to electronically submit required documents and property information when they are requesting FEMA remove their property from a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).  link below to the:

• Online LOMC Fact Sheet_LOMA.pdf

FEMA is launching the Online Letter of Map Change (LOMC) – a new way to submit a request to change a property’s flood zone designation. The new Online LOMC application allows anyone to electronically submit required documents and property information when they are requesting FEMA remove their property from a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).  Applicants can use this new website instead of the MT-1 or MT-EZ paper forms.  All home or property owners, their designated representatives, or professional surveyors and engineers, can use this online tool to conveniently submit required documents, property information, and payment information all in one place.

The new Online LOMC offers many advantages over paper forms:

•                    Applicants may save information online and finish applying at their convenience
•                    Clear and intuitive interface makes applying user-friendly
•                    Eliminates time associated with the paper-based submission
•                    Frequent applicants can manage multiple LOMC requests online
•                    More efficient communications with LOMC processing staff
•                    Applicants can check their application status in real-time

Coming soon! Request all LOMC types via the Online LOMC.  Visit www.fema.gov/online-lomc to learn more!

Flood Resources/Links

•  Flood Outreach Toolkit- Access the FloodSmart campaigns comprehensive outreach toolkit with materials and resources, including fact sheets on a range of flood insurance and preparedness topics, the insurance implications of local map changes, answers to tough questions, and online resources. Request a copy by emailing: info@femafloodsmart.com
• FEMA Map Service Center (800) 358-9616 – Learn about the current status of local flood maps and related flood risks or order current maps.