W-09074
      
November 9, 2009

MEMORANDUM  FOR:  	Write Your Own Company Principal Coordinators and the 
                        National Flood Insurance Program Servicing Agent

FROM:			NFIP Clearinghouse 

SUBJECT: 		FEMA Press Release 
                        FEMA Engages Stakeholders to Discuss National Flood Insurance Program
				

Attached is a press release regarding the National Flood Insurance Program. Please distribute this within your organization as appropriate.

Attachment

cc: Vendors, IBHS, FIPNC, Government Technical Representative 

Suggested Routing: All Departments


Press Release
November 6, 2009
No. HQ-09-137
Contact: FEMA News Desk
202-646-3272

FEMA ENGAGES STAKEHOLDERS TO DISCUSS NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
WASHINGTON— Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a new avenue for the public to provide input regarding the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  This announcement comes on the heels of a two-day listening session with FEMA Administrator Fugate and program stakeholders. Starting today, stakeholders and individuals can visit www.fema.gov/nfipcomments to provide input and identify challenges regarding the NFIP. The NFIP, created by Congress in 1968, is designed to ensure that communities across the country have access to affordable flood insurance as well as encourage community floodplain management to reduce future flood damage.  
“We are always striving to improve our programs, and this week’s listening sessions were an important step in that process for the 40 year old National Flood Insurance Program,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “NFIP is designed to support communities and provide crucial protection from potentially devastating flooding. The experience and input from the communities who take advantage of this program is invaluable, and we will continue to work with our partners and Congress to identify areas of improvement and how best to meet those challenges. I would encourage everyone to visit www.fema.gov/nfipcomments where they can provide their own insights and ideas on this important program.”
FEMA’s NFIP stakeholder sessions and public comment period will allow FEMA to gain input on the various issues and programs related to the NFIP, such as flood map modernization updates and other program topics. FEMA launched the 30 day comment period with a two day listening session that began on November 5, 2009.
FEMA encourages the public to submit comments, ideas and feedback by visiting http://www.fema.gov/nfipcomments. 
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. 
Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema ; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femainfocus and on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/fema 
For more information on the Ready Campaign and NPM, please visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov.  Information is also available by phone at 1-800-BE-READY or 1-888-SE-LISTO.

www.fema.gov