Course Overview and Navigation

Welcome to the How to Read a Flood Insurance Map (FIRM) course.

Since the 1970s, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been creating, storing, and updating flood hazard maps for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) communities across the United States. Flood Insurance Rate Maps, known as FIRMs, are the primary tool for state and local governments to mitigate the effects of flooding in their communities.

We are pleased to present this guide to Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Throughout this course the common term "flood map" is also used to refer to these documents.

Using this course in conjunction with the flood maps themselves can assist you in determining the potential flood risk for a specific property.

Appendix B: How to Read a Flood Insurance Map (FIRM) Course Glossary has a list of terms used in this course. When you select the glossary link, it will open in a new window.

Course Overview

A Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is a map created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that graphically depicts identified flood hazards.

Flood Insurance Rate Maps are used by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for floodplain management, mitigation, and insurance purposes.

The purpose of this course is to explain how to read and use a Flood Insurance Rate Map to identify the potential flood risk for a specific property.

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course, you should be able to:

  • Recognize various flood map formats
  • Recognize the elements and symbols shown on FIRMs
  • Read and use FIRMs to identify flood hazards

Course Overview and Navigation Objectives

This is an overview of the course and an introduction to various course features and functionality.

At the end of this course overview and navigation introduction, you should be able to describe the:

  • Course structure
  • Screen features and navigation
  • Knowledge Check functionality
  • Course credit requirements
Course Structure

Take a moment to review the Lesson List located on the right side of your screen.

This course has eight (8) lessons. The lessons may be accessed sequentially or independently. The time to complete each lesson varies. A page tracker is displayed at the bottom middle of the screen to help you gauge your movement through the lesson. The estimated time required to complete each lesson will be stated on the lesson’s first screen.

After completing the course, take the Final Exam to:

  • Gauge your knowledge of the topic
  • Receive credit for taking the course
Screen Features
Click this link to access a narrative summary of the screen features.
Navigating Using Your Keyboard

Below are instructions for navigating through the course using your keyboard.

  • Use the "Tab" key to move forward through each screen's navigation buttons and hyperlinks, or "Shift" + "Tab" to move backwards. A box surrounds the button that is currently selected.
  • Press "Enter" to select a navigation button or hyperlink.
  • Radio ButtonsUse the arrow keys to select answers for multiple-choice review questions or self-assessment checklists. Then tab to the "Check" button and press "Enter" to complete a Knowledge Review or Self-Assessment.
  • Warning: Repeatedly pressing "Tab" beyond the number of selections on the screen may cause the keyboard to lock up. Use "Ctrl" + "Tab" to deselect an element or reset to the beginning of a screen’s navigation links (most often needed for screens with animations or media).
  • Job Access With Speech (JAWS) assistive technology users can press the "Ctrl" key to quiet the screen reader while the course audio plays.
Viewing Slideshow Simulations

Slideshows are used in this course.

If you see a "Scroll down to see slideshow captions" message, the presence of a slideshow will be indicated by a shaded box with navigation buttons and a slide counter above it (see example below).

Select the slideshow's Next button (the gray right-facing arrowhead) to begin the presentation.

Some slideshow may have audio narration and/or captions that will explain the data entry procedure. Select the link to hear the audio narration. A media player window will appear when audio narration is activated.

Viewing Slideshow Simulations - Slide 1
To navigate through the slideshow, select the Back to the Beginning, Back, Next, and End of Presentation buttons. Select the Next button to move to the following slide.
Slideshow control bar with next button highlighted.
Viewing Slideshow Simulations - Slide 2
The Slide Counter indicates the total number of slides in the presentation and which slide you are currently viewing. Keep in mind that the presentation is on a loop and will repeat.
Navigation buttons for slideshows, with a count showing slide 1 of 3. Next is highlighted.
Viewing Slideshow Simulations - Slide 3
To exit the Slideshow, select the Next button at the bottom of the course screen.
Web screen navigation bar page number with next button to the right.
Receiving Credit
Students must complete the entire course and pass the final exam to receive credit for the course. Each lesson takes a variable amount of time to complete. If you are unable to complete the course in its entirety, you may close the window and reopen the course at any time. However, depending on the system used to take the course, it is possible you may have to repeat a portion of the last lesson you were studying.
Course Overview and Navigation Summary

This completes the Course Overview and Navigation. You learned:

  • What this course is about
  • How to complete this course
  • How to receive credit for this independent study course

Select the next lesson from the main menu.

Note Icon
Note
If you have any problems with links in this course please select the help button at top of screen and then select the Link Access option.