FEMA recently announced it is hosting a free virtual training course to help infrastructure owners and operators, as well as other relevant stakeholders, integrate dam safety considerations into an overall hazard mitigation plan. Members who operate dams are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, which will help enhance an organization’s operational resilience and preparedness.

The training course, “Addressing Dam Risk in Your Hazard Mitigation Plan,” includes an overview of mitigation planning and dam risks. The course gives guidance on how to address dam risks in the planning process, risk assessment and mitigation strategy of a hazard mitigation plan. The process starts with local stakeholders identifying natural disaster risks and vulnerabilities that are common in their area. After identifying these risks, they develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from disasters and other events. Hazard mitigation planning reduces loss of life and property by minimizing the impact of disasters.

The training will also review funding opportunities, like FEMA’s Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams Grant Program, which offers technical, planning, design, and construction assistance in the form of grants for the rehabilitation of eligible high hazard potential dams. According to FEMA, after this training, attendees will be able to: Understand the need to include dams in local hazard mitigation planning; identify key dam stakeholders and their roles in the planning process; and talk about best practices to address dam risks in local hazard mitigation plans.

The training is scheduled for September 3, at 2 p.m. ET and will last for an hour and half. Attendees may be eligible for one and a half hours of Continuing Education Credit from the Association of State Floodplain Managers and one and a half hours of Certification Maintenance credit from the American Institute of Certified Planners. Register for the event here or read more about FEMA’s Dam Safety Program here.

For questions about the course, please email FEMA at: fema-mitigation-planning@fema.dhs.gov.