Row Your Boat Not Your Building | Understanding the NFIP & Managing Risk

Brienna Wirley, CFM, Environmental Program Specialist 2, NYSDEC, Division of Water | Bureau of Flood Protection & Dam Safety

Brienna Wirley has worked in the Floodplain Management Program for the NYSDEC Division of Water as part of the Western Flood Protection and Dam Safety Hub in the Avon Office since 2018. She assists communities within NYS to implement standards and requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program through technical assistance, community visits, and trainings. Brienna is the primary floodplain contact for communities in NYSDEC Regions 7, 8, and 9. She has served as one of DEC’s technical leads for Wayne County during the Governor’s Lake Ontario Resiliency & Economic Development Initiative (REDI) and has supported Tompkins County throughout the FEMA RiskMAP process.

Bear is a Project Manager at HOLT Architects with a decade ofarchitectural design experience. After working on multiple projects located near Syracuse’s and Ithaca’s waterfronts he has become well versed in planning and designing a building to address potential flood hazards. His largest project to date that required substantial flood proofing was a 60,000 SF major renovation to a car dealership that required 5’-6” of protection while ensuring the showroom glass still went to grade to meet manufacturer requirements. It is Bear’s hope to share this and other experiences to help other industry professionals navigate early design decisions in an efficient manner while enhancing the design of a building.

KNOW the Risk - 1.5 AIA-HSW

During this session Brienna Wirley, Environmental Program Specialist 2 at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Division of Water | Bureau of Flood Protection & Dam Safety will explain the Federal, State and local regulations, roles and responsibilities as they pertain to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Brienna will also explore the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), its goals and what resources are provided. This session will also address the latest FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) changes for Tompkins County and how to analyze and interpret FIRMs to design projects that are compliant with Local, State, and Federal flood resilient standards. In addition, this session will investigate and explain Base Flood Elevation (BFE), and how to determine the BFE using the FIRM, FIS, and associated resources.

Learning Objectives – After attending this program, participants will be able to:

1. Explain and compare the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Federal, State and Local regulations, roles and responsibilities.

2. Identity the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) goals.

3. Analyze and interpret FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

4. Investigate and determine the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).

MANAGE the Risk - 1.5 AIA-HSW

During this session Bear Smith of HOLT Architects will discuss the BCNYS, EBCNYS and ASCE 24 and the evaluation process to take during early design to assess potential flood risks. Using the BCNYS, EBCNYS and ASCE 24, Bear will also explain how to identify the Flood Design Class of a building and how to establish the lowest floor elevation based on BFE /DFE. This session will also compare dry flood proofing and wet flood proofing and discuss when to use each option. In addition, this Session will also discuss life safety means of egress during a flood event and how to investigate building access options. Bear will also address flood proofing strategies and other early design decision considerations. Lastly, Brienna will discuss flood insurance common myths and resource options.

Learning Objectives – After attending this program, participants will be able to:

1. Identify when a project needs to be designed to manage flood risks.

2. Identify Flood Design Class of a building.

3. Explain how to establish the lowest floor elevation based on BFE /DFE.

4. Compare dry flood proofing and wet flood proofing.

5. Investigate building access options.

6. Analyze flood proofing strategies and other early design decision considerations.

7. Identify flood insurance common myths and explain resource options.

Dietary Restrictions:

Contact Cate Blakemore with any dietary restrictions at [email protected]

Include the following in the Subject Line: AIASNY Floor Proofing CE – Dietary Restrictions

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