massFM EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS:
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Members only “Lunch & Learn” Meetings
Members only “Lunch & Learn” meetings will be held every other month on Thursdays at noon. A notification will be sent out prior to our next Lunch & Learn meeting.
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Our next scheduled meeting is on May 8, 2025 noon ET.
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​Title: The Impacts of RR2.0 on the Elevation Certificate
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Description:
This presentation will provide a summary of the changes to the Elevation Certificate based on implementation of FEMA’s new flood insurance rating system, Risk Rating 2.0. The material will review the relevant changes between the 2019 and 2023 Elevation Certificate form, and some of the key differences between the insurance rating systems. The session will include time for questions.
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Speaker:
Del Schwalls, PE, CFM, is President of Schwalls Consulting LLC and an environmental engineer with 24 years of experience in floodplain management and water resources. He provides engineering and floodplain management solutions for local municipalities, state and federal agencies, and private entities. He specializes in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) floodplain regulations, and how they intersect with state and local code. Mr. Schwalls’ primary focus is supporting municipalities in improving their overall floodplain management programs, including enhancing Community Rating System ratings, and meeting their specific needs and goals, while protecting the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains. He also conducts training around the country on Elevation Certificates and serves as an expert legal witness on FEMA regulations and programs. Mr. Schwalls has been the Inland Flooding subject matter expert for the Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology since 2015.
His background includes watershed and stormwater management, independent technical reviews of FEMA flood risk studies, and flood risk assessment, modeling, and mapping.
Mr. Schwalls has been on the Board of Directors for the Florida Floodplain Managers Association since 2008, including serving as Chair and Vice Chair; served on the national Board of Directors for the Association of State Floodplain Managers from 2016-2022; and is an Associate with the ASFPM Foundation. He is a Professional Engineer in FL, AL, GA, and SC, and earned his Certified Floodplain Manager certification in 2003. ​
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PAST EVENTS:
The massFM 2024 conference was held on October 30, 2024.
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The massFM 2023 Annual Conference was held on October 23, 2023.
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MassFM 2022 Annual Conference (our first in-person conference) on October 13, 2022. Event details can be downloaded at: 2022 Annual Conference Details.
MassFM Annual Conference 2021: Climate Data Update: Evaluating Rising Risks (held October 21, 2021). The event flyer can be downloaded at: Annual Conference Flyer.
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Elevation Certificate Virtual Workshop (Friday October 23, 2020)
massFM First Annual Meeting (held on October 22, 2020) including annual conference training and and annual conference keynote panel.
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Exclusive Webinar: Floodplain Design, Construction + Impacts on Flood Insurance (held on May 13, 2020)
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massFM/NMCOG Floodplain Management Workshop: Tewskbury, MA (held on October 10, 2019):
Presentations:
A Brief Overview on Impacts of Climate Change and why Floodplain Management Matters
FEMA Flood Studies and Maps - Letters of Map Change
Flood Insurance and Mitigation
NFIP Basics in Massachusetts
Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program
MEMA HMA Briefing
2018 MA State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan
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massFM Kickoff Tour: Springfield, MA (held on April 11, 2019)
Presentations:
The Stream Crossings Explorer
Substantial Improvement Practices
Fluvial-Geomorphology and Flood Risk Management
Post-disaster Responsibilities of Local Officials
massFM Kickoff Event (held on Nov. 8, 2018):
Presentations:
No Adverse Impact - A Common Sense Strategy for Floodplain Management
Historic Structures in the Floodplain - Mitigation and Compliance
Post-disaster Responsibilities of Local Floodplain Administrators
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