FEMA Region 3 Coffee Break Webinars

FEMA Region 3 hosts a webinar series for anyone who wants to reduce risk in their community. The hour-long “Coffee Breaks” are held every other month. These webinars serve as a space to share mitigation best practices and highlight the work happening at federal, regional, state and community levels to reduce risk in Region 3.

Coffee Break webinars are open to anyone who works in hazard mitigation, community resilience, or risk reduction planning. This work can be in the public or private sector and can include community planners, emergency and floodplain managers, GIS technicians, government officials and contractors.

Please note:

• Webinar log in/call in information will be sent out several days prior to the date of the Coffee Break.
• Attendees may be eligible to receive continuing education credits.
• To sign up for future Coffee Break Webinar notifications and the Region 3 Resilience Report Newsletter, you can subscribe HERE.

Upcoming Coffee Breaks

Webinar titles, descriptions, and dates are subject to change.

Utilizing University Partnerships in Hazard Mitigation Planning

November 23, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Bringing the right people to the table is an important component of hazard mitigation planning. Universities possess unique data and the opportunity to research important topics to hazard mitigation, including development changes, ongoing mitigation efforts, and the impacts of natural hazards. This webinar will explore how to maximize the opportunity for collaboration between jurisdictions and higher education institutes when drafting Hazard Mitigation Plans.

Increasing Resilience through Land Use Planning and Building Codes

January 18, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Land use planning and building codes can play a major role in reducing the risks of natural hazards. FEMA’s new National Initiative to Advance Building Codes gives communities a greater incentive to adopt and enforce stronger codes. This webinar will share strategies to bring decision makers and local planning partners on board.

Discovering Mitigation Alternatives

March 22, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Hazard mitigation plans outline future projects to help communities avoid disaster impacts. Your plan’s mitigation actions should be kept up-to-date to ensure public, government and political support. This webinar will explore how the planning team can determine mitigation actions are best for the identified risk, align with community goals and identify capabilities that are needed to be successful.

Refining Your Hazard Mitigation Plan’s Scope of Work

May 17, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Many questions will arise when writing the scope of work for your next hazard mitigation plan update. Do I need contract support? What is my budget? Am I applying for funding? This webinar explores how to set expectations in your scope of work for the plan developer, state planner, FEMA reviewer, and most importantly— your community.

Planning for Climate Change Impacts

July 19, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Communities in FEMA Region 3 are no strangers to the effects of climate change on the frequency and severity of natural disasters. In 2020 alone, 22 disasters brought losses of over $1 billion across the U.S. During this webinar, you will learn about how FEMA is planning for climate change, mitigation best practices, and funding opportunities.

Exploring the Hazard Mitigation Planning Process

September 20, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Developing a hazard mitigation plan may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. FEMA’s guidance materials can help you create a plan that protects people and property during future events. This webinar introduces the hazard mitigation planning process, from organization to adoption. It also provides suggestions to make each step run smoothly.

Conducting a Risk Assessment

November 8, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time

When creating a hazard mitigation plan, the risk assessment details the hazards that your community faces. Documenting the geographies, populations and critical facilities at risk will help you identify ways to promote resilience. This webinar will guide you through the risk assessment process.

Previous Coffee Breaks

Webinars marked with an asterisk (*) were recorded.

2022

• Identifying & Prioritizing At-Risk Community Assets
• Funding Your Hazard Mitigation Actions*
• Future Conditions and Hazard Mitigation Planning*
• Establishing Meaningful Outreach Strategies*
• Addressing Equity Through Hazard Mitigation Planning*

2021

• Exploring FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Planning Guidance and Resources*
• Connecting Climate Change to Hazard Mitigation Planning*
• Exploring Approaches to Plan Integration*
• Identifying Technical Assistance Opportunities and Resources*
• Successful Project Planning*
• Exploring Mitigation Actions*

2020

• Incorporating Historic and Cultural Resources in Your Hazard Mitigation Plan*
• Annual Hazard Mitigation Plan Reviews: Options and Outcomes*
• Addressing the Risks of High Hazard Potential Dams*
• Tracking Risk Reduction through Your Capabilities Assessment*
• Bringing Lifelines into Hazard Mitigation Planning*

2019

• Utilizing Universities as Partners in Hazard Mitigation Plan Drafting and Implementation
• Floodplain Management and Hazard Mitigation Planning
• Engaging the Arts in Mitigation & Planning*
• Revisiting Loss Avoidance and the Benefit Cost Analysis Process*
• Integrating EPA Programs and Hazard Mitigation Planning*

2018

• Developing FEMA Mitigation Planning Grant Applications: Better Plans Start with Better Scopes of Work
• New Approaches to Improving Your Hazard Risk Assessments
• Integrating Your Long Range Vision with your Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Loss Avoidance Studies: Quantify the Benefits of Mitigation
• Leveraging Your Hazard Mitigation Plan to do More

2017

• Building your Hazard Mitigation Planning Team
• Improving Your Risk Analysis
• Effective Public Engagement