What Does It Mean to be a CFM?
Local floodplain management officials are tasked with a tough job in their role as regulatory enforcers of the NFIP. Many times, their decisions are not what people want to hear, depending on the particular situation and the parties involved. They could be telling a developer that they can’t build in a specific area or that they have to restrict development to limit runoff. Maybe they are informing a homeowner that they can’t make those flood repairs without bringing the home into compliance. Or they could be telling the mayor that the big commercial development may not be feasible.
Enforcing the NFIP regulations can trigger very negative responses and actions from an applicant and the local floodplain manager needs to have the courage to stand firm, because the safety of life and property are a risk. It is the responsibility and duty of the local floodplain manager to serve the public’s interest in that regard by limiting or eliminating that risk.
One of the underpinnings of the CFM certification is the requirement for continuing education in floodplain management. This requirement ensures CFMs have the most up-to-date knowledge and abilities to serve their communities. With that knowledge and a network of other professionals that can provide additional assistance, the local CFM can be confident in their decisions. When individuals have confidence in themselves and their abilities, they can, with time, find the courage to make the difficult decisions when called upon.
Knowledge builds confidence and confidence builds courage. The CFM certification provides the framework and structure that brings it all together.
What does your CFM credential mean to you? We’d like to hear from you. Email us at cfm@floods.org or better yet, stop by and see us at the ASFPM booth in Orlando, FL. We’ll be taking testimonials from CFMs and would love to hear your story!
Welcome new CFMs
We welcome the following people who passed the CFM exam in January and February:
| Agnes Afia Adjei | Constance Owensby |
| Gina Agosta | Javier Parodi |
| Meghan Arpino | Camille Pauley |
| Ethan Barnette | Ryan Persinger |
| Joel Becker | Henry Plachcinski |
| Alexei Belov | Jonathan Powlison |
| Stacey Farinholt | Mostafa Razzaghmanesh |
| Alexander Garcia | Leann Sato |
| Yonas Habtemichael | Allen Shue |
| John Hottenstein | Daniel Speigel |
| Matthew Hoyt | Cody Stults |
| Zhen Tao Lee | Madison Teeter |
| Tambre Lee | Denise Tu |
| Christine Lowe | Justin West |
| Terry Magnon | Philip White |
| Ryan Morgan | Meghan Wren |
| Robert Naud |
