Lesson 6: Tools and Resources

 

Lesson Objectives

  • Identify collaboration tools for CTPs 
  • Identify digital tools
  • Describe CTP training methods
  • Identify additional tools and resources available to CTPs
Transcript
Lesson List: Introduction, CTP Program Overview, The Funding Process: Pre-Award Budget Planning, Eligible Activities, The Funding Process: Awards, Tools and Resources, The Funding Process: Monitoring and Post Award, Program Evolution (Tools and Resources is selected)

Review Lesson 5

  • How to become a funded CTP
  • Eligible activities
Transcript
CTP and Collaboration Tools
  • CTP Collaboration Center
  • CTP Collaboration Monthly
  • CTP Community of Practice
Transcript

CTP Collaboration Center

The components of the Collaboration Center include:
  • A calendar of upcoming events, such as webinars, conferences, and training
  • Announcements regarding program updates and events
  • Guidance and best practices. Guidance links to relevant FEMA resources and best practices are provided by CTPs.
  • A discussion board for CTPs to communicate with each other and provide feedback to FEMA headquarters
  • Links to training and mentoring, including the instructor-led training course for CTPs held at the Emergency Management Institute (EMI)
  • CTP documents, which may be used as resources for all aspects of the CTP experience, from applying for a cooperative agreement through execution
  • The latest CTP Collaboration Monthly and links to past editions
Transcript
Collaboration Center View from a computer screen

CTP Collaboration Monthly

Collaboration Monthly
  • A monthly email communication provided to all Collaboration Center registrants
  • Alerts readers to upcoming events, program updates, highlights and best practices through news articles and interviews relevant to CTPs
  • Spotlights a CTP every month. All CTPs are eligible to be highlighted and encouraged to submit profiles and articles
Transcript
Collaboration Monthly view from a computer screen

CTP Community of Practice (CoP)

  • Originated in late 2015
  • Links all CTPs and allows CTPs to help drive the program forward
  • CoP Roles: Steering Committee and General Membership

The Steering Committee is made up of up to two CTPs and one FEMA employee in each region. The committee meets twice annually. 

Transcript

Annimated group in collaboration

Digital Tools

  • Mapping Information Platform (MIP)
  • Project Planning and Purchasing Portal (P4)
  • Mitigation Action Tracker (MAT)
Transcript
digital computer, mobile phone, tablet, laptop

Mapping Information Platform (MIP)

The MIP is an online tool used to support the Risk MAP program by recording the progress of a Flood Risk Project, PMR, or LOMC and tracking the budget and schedule of a project. It is used as a planning and forecasting tool through reporting capacities and provides digital storage of the data produced for Flood Risk Projects, PMRs, or LOMCs. It also supports the standardization of map production through a series of tasks and activities known as the MIP Workflow. The MIP is also utilized to document and track the issuance of LOMC known as the MT-1 and MT- 2 workflows.

MIP training resources are available on the MIP User Care Home Page. Click the link and bookmark the site for later use.  MIP Training Link

Mapping Information Platform (MIP) view on computer screec displaying the MIP home page.

  MIP Functionality

   

6 functions of Mapping Inforation Program
Transcript
Project Planning and Purchasing Portal (P4)
What is P4?
  • Sequence of projects to be funded annually
  • Ordering template and a Statement of Priorities for purchases
  • Captures scope and quantity details
  • Online GIS-based platform for multi-year planning
  • Changes and maintenance occurs through Change Requests or Scope Clarifications
Tracking Metrics and Reporting
  • Deployment
  • New, Validated and Updated Engineering (NVUE) Initiated
Access
  • FEMA Staff
  • Program Management Team
Transcript

Mitigation Action Tracker (MAT)

What is the Mitigation Action Tracker?
  • Web-based tool for Risk MAP, which providers and mitigation planners use to document and report local mitigation actions influenced by Risk MAP (or non-Risk MAP) processes.
Mitigation Action Tracker (MAT) view on computer screen
Tracking Metrics and Reporting
  • Risk MAP Action Measure 1 and Action Measure 2
Transcript
CTP Training Methods
  • EMI Independent Study (eLearning) – This CTP 101 course is delivered via EMI's online training system. This online course provides an overview of the CTP Program and is open to all CTP levels. Future in-depth online courses will also become available using the same system.
  • Webinars – The most frequent method of training, webinar, is delivered by the CTP Program both during CoP meetings and at various intervals throughout the year. Webinar topics may cover general CTP interests, such as project management or technical subjects such as LiDAR. The program works collaboratively with FEMA and partners such as the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM), to co-sponsor training opportunities. Webinar recordings and training resources are available on the Collaboration Center or Risk MAP University.
  • Instructor-led training (ILT) –  The EMI CTP Special Topics Course is delivered twice annually on campus at EMI. CTPs of all experience levels are encouraged to attend the four-day course once every year or two. You can review available EMI courses by using the EMI course schedule.
Each day of the EMI Special Topics course covers a different topic.
  • An overview of FEMA programs and updates
  • CTP program updates
  • A day of peer-to-peer presentations, delivered by CTP students
  • Technical training topics during the spring course
  • Communications topics during the summer course
Transcript
Additional Resources
  • FEMA Guidelines and Standards
  • FEMA Blue Book
  • CERC Playbook
Transcript
Guides and Standards Composite
Guidelines and Standards
Goal: To clearly distinguish between the aspects of a Risk MAP project that are required or must be performed a certain way (standards), versus those that allow for more flexibility (guidance and best practices).
Guidelines and Standards Pyramid-displaying elements of guidance and standards: (top to bottom) Program Standards, Working Standards,Technical References, Guidance, Best Practices/Lessons Learned
Master Index of Guidelines and Standards
  • Defines cross-references between guidelines and standards
  • Compiled as index document with links to guidelines and standards
Guidance Topics are organized by subject area and function.
Example include:
  • Discovery
  • Base Map
  • Flood Insurance Study Reports
  • Flood Risk Database

Click the link to view the Guidelines and Standards Master Index:

Link to Guidelines and Standards

Guidelines and Standards Maintenance
Goal: Arrange maintenance around a predictable semi-annual cycle with updates issued in May and November of each year.
  • Benefits:
  • Helps to ensure that standards and guidance stays current
  • Improves transparency for external stakeholders
  • Provides predictability to help with internal customer reviews, training, task order requirements, etc.
  • Makes sure we comply with FEMA currency requirements
Topic Updates
Generally, the timeline for introducing and updating topics by:
  • April for November cycle 
  • October for May cycle
Transcript
Blue Book

The first Blue Book was published in 2002 and has undergone several revisions. The current version is dated April 2017.  Due to the constant changes in technologies, practices, the economy, etc., the Blue Book is considered a living document and is evaluated each fiscal year to determine if revisions are needed.

 

Blue Book Facts

  • Not intended to be used to estimate project cost
  • Document outlines the unit cost approach used by FEMA to estimate the value of partner contribution for leverage and in-kind services.
  • Partners include communities, tribal nations, universities, and regional or state agencies
Blue Book_cover: Title - Estimating the Value of Contributions to Flood Mapping Project "Blue Book" version 4.1, April 18, 2017

  Blue Book Methodology

  • Unit costs are applied to the number of work units (number of linear miles, communities, panels, etc.)
  • Contributions must meet FEMA’s current Guidelines and Standards
Transcript

Link to Blue Book   

CERC Playbook
Currently, the Playbook covers three topics:
  • Risk Communications and Risk MAP
  • Ensuring Engagement Throughout Risk MAP
  • Engaging Local Elected Officials
The Playbook is housed
  • On the Risk MAP Directorate’s SharePoint site
Click here to view the CERC Playbook
Risk MAP Tools and Templates
  • New Tools and Templates available
  • CTP Collaboration Center
Transcript
Lesson 6 Summary
Available Tools and Resources
  • CTP and Collaboration Tools: CTP Collaboration Center, CTP Collaboration Monthly, CTP CoP
  • Digital Tools: Mapping Information Platform (MIP), Project Planning and Purchasing Portal (P4), Mitigation Action Tracker (MAT)
  • CTP Training Methods: EMI Independent Webinars, EMI CTP Special Topics Course
  • Additional Resources: FEMA Guidelines and Standards, FEMA Blue Book, CERC Playbook 
Transcript