DWR S Community Rating System (CRS) Project

DWR’s Community Rating System (CRS) Project

CRS benefits more than 170,000 flood insurance policyholders in 75 communities throughout California resulting in more than $13 million in annual savings. To boost these numbers even further, the California Department of Water Resources has implemented a new CRS strategy to not only increase flood insurance savings for property and business owners, but more importantly, to create safer and more disaster resistant communities long-term. The state hopes that by providing supplemental CRS tools, resources, technical assistance and training it will encourage more eligible communities to join CRS and/or improve their classification. Working in conjunction with the NFIP’s CRS team from the Insurance Services Office (ISO), the state’s new program is designed to augment their Uniform Minimum Credits, which are creditable activities undertaken by state agencies that translate into points for California communities. An extensive website is also under development and will be unveiled in the next few weeks. This project has been a coordinated effort between the state, FEMA, Cal EMA, ISO, local communities, and numerous other federal, state, and local agencies. With assistance from host communities, DWR will kick off the project with a series of workshops to introduce the program. Communities interested in the CRS program are encouraged to attend these free classes. Pre-registration is required at: www.water.ca.gov/floodmgmt/lrafmo/fmb/fas/nfip/workshop/dwr.cfm.

Two classes per location:

CRS Basics 9am – 12pm

This workshop will give community officials and other interested parties an overview of the NFIP’s Community Rating System. The session will walk participants through the new California CRS Quick Check application and will demonstrate the new tools and resources now available through CA DWR. CRS activities that are eligible for credit and ways for CRS participating communities to increase their classification will also be discussed. This is an interactive workshop that encourages questions and student participation. There are no prerequisites to attend this course.

2012 CRS Changes 1pm – 4pm

This workshop will review the proposed changes to the 2012 CRS Coordinator’s Manual. FEMA expects to publish the new manual in January 2012. Attendees will be able to provide feedback to those proposed changes to CRS staff during the session. Comments will also be collected and collated by the Floodplain Managers Association and provided directly to FEMA for review. Don’t miss this opportunity to have CRS staff hear your concerns on possible CRS changes and get a head start for your community. This is an interactive workshop that encourages questions and student participation. Attendees should be familiar with existing CRS creditable activities Dates and L ocations:

Monday April 25, 2011 Tuesday April 26, 2011 Maidu Community Center Contra Costa County Public Works Meeting Rooms 1 & 2 Conference Room A 1550 Maidu Drive 255 Glacier Drive Roseville, CA 95661 Martinez, CA 94553 Sponsor: City of Roseville Sponsor: Contra Costa County

Wednesday April 27, 2011 Friday April 29, 2011 Martin Luther King Library Orange County Public Works Meeting Room 225-229 Room B-10 (Basement Level) 150 East San Fernando Street 300 North Flower Street San Jose, CA 95112 Santa Ana, CA 92703 Sponsor: Santa Clara County Sponsor: Orange County

There are three (3) hours of pre-approved CECs available per class for CFMs.

For questions about DWR’s CRS project, or the training classes, please contact Dave Rolph @ DWR at [email protected] or 916-574-1450.