This past week three members of the State Hazard Mitigation team attended the 2010 Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers (CASFM) Conference in Snowmass, Colorado. There the team was able to speak with local floodplain managers about potential projects which would harden their communities against the effects of flood events. Further, Iain Hyde and Deanna Butterbaugh took the exam to become Certified Floodplain Managers. This will increase the State’s capabilities as their knowledge will help communities recognize the risks residential and commercial development will inevitably have on their floodplains.
This certification process ensures all floodplain managers have a base level of familiarity with floodplains as well as gives credibility to this discipline. Throughout the year additional training and conferences are provided by CASFM which further knowledge of members and play an important part in recognizing challenges and improvements which have been made in floodplain management. The Colorado Division of Emergency Management is always excited to increase our abilities and provide better service and knowledge to our local partners. CDEM recognizes the state must stay on the cutting edge in all Emergency Management concentrations to ensure the best outcomes in the event of a disaster and maintain viable partnerships with local communities.
For questions regarding DEM's Mitigation Office and more on their participation in the CASFM Conference, contact Scott Baldwin.