Agenda

Webinar instructions will be emailed 24-48 business hours before the date of the webinar.
Please log into the webinar 10-15 minutes before start time.

Monday, February 1, 2027
12:00 pm – 3:15 pm CST (includes a 15-minute break)

Agenda:
Presented by William Nechamen, CFM

History and types of flood maps 

• Floods, floodways and the role of the NFIP 
• Levels of detail 
• Flood zones and what each one requires 
• Flood mapping planning and needs 
• Limitations of FIRMs 

Reading and interpreting flood maps 

• Map panel and index information 
• Map features 
• Older flat maps, floodway maps and digital FIRMs 
• Coastal zones, transects and the LiMWA 

Flood insurance studies 

• Purpose and contents 
• Hydrology, topography and hydraulics 
• Floodway data table 
• Stream profiles and the BFE at a specific location 

Obtaining and using flood maps 

• FEMA Map Service Center and FIRMettes 
• National Flood Hazard Layer and GIS data 
• Requesting the data behind a map 

Map determinations 

• Lender flood determinations 
• Disputing a determination 

Letters of Map Change 

• Introduction to and purpose of LOMCs 
• Letters of Map Amendment 
• Letters of Map Revision based on Fill 
• Letters of Map Revision 
• The roles of surveyors, engineers and the community 

Webinar Instructions 
 
All attendees must log-on through their own email – attendees may not watch together if they wish to earn continuing education credit. HalfMoon Education Inc. must be able to prove attendance if either the attendee or HalfMoon Education Inc. is audited.

Certificates of completion can be downloaded in PDF form upon passing a short quiz. A link to the quiz will be sent to each qualifying attendee immediately after the webinar. The certificate can be downloaded from the Results page of the quiz upon scoring 80% or higher.

Webinars are presented via GoToWebinar, an easy-to-use application that can be run on most systems and tablets. Instructions and login information will be provided in an email sent close to the date of the webinar. It is highly recommended that you download, install and test the application before the webinar begins by clicking on the link in the email.

GoToWebinar App requirements:  
Windows 10 or higher, macOS 11 or higher, Linux, Google Chrome OS

Web Browser: 
Google Chrome (most recent 3 versions) 
Microsoft Edge (most recent 3 versions)

Internet connection: 1 Mbps or better

Hardware: 2GB of RAM (minimum), 4GB or more of RAM (recommended)

For more information, visit the Support section at www.gotowebinar.com

Credits

Engineers
3.0 PDHs

Land Surveyors
3.0 PDHs

Architects
3.0 HSW CE Hours

AIA - American Institute of Architects
3.0 HSW LUs

Landscape Architects
3.0 HSW CE Hours

LACES - Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System
3.0 HSW PDHs

Floodplain Managers
3.0 ASFPM CECs

This webinar is open to the public and is designed to qualify for 3.0 PDHs for professional engineers and land surveyors, 3.0 HSW continuing education hours for licensed architects, and 3.0 HSW continuing education hours for landscape architects in all states that allow this learning method. Please refer to specific state rules to determine eligibility. 

HalfMoon Education is an approved continuing education sponsor for engineers in Florida (Provider License No: CEA362), Indiana (License No. CE21700059), Maryland, and New Jersey (Approval No. 24GP00049300). HalfMoon Education is deemed an approved continuing education sponsor for New York engineers, land surveyors, architects, and landscape architects via its registration with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System (AIA/CES) and the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA/CES). Other states do not preapprove continuing education providers or courses. 

This webinar has been registered with the Florida Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers for 3.0 continuing education credits. This webinar has been approved by the Missouri Board of APEPLSPLA and the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance for 3.0 PDUs/PDHs.  

The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System has approved this course for 3.0 HSW LUs (Sponsor No. J885). Only full participation is reportable to the AIA/CES. 

The Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System has approved this course for 3.0 HSW PDHs. Only full participation is reportable to the LA CES. 

The Association of State Floodplain Managers has approved this course for 3.0 CECs for floodplain managers. 

Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the webinar for those who attend the entire course and score a minimum 80% on the quiz that follows the course (multiple attempts allowed). 

On-Demand Credits

The credits listed above apply only to the live webinar. This course in an on-demand format may not qualify for the same credit in some states. Please refer to specific board rules to determine if an asynchronous, on-demand course is appropriate. The following credits will be included in the on-demand format: 

3.0 HSW LUs (AIA) 
3.0 HSW PDHs (LA CES)

Speakers

William Nechamen, CFM

Principal and Owner of Nechamen Consulting, LLC

Mr. Nechamen was the Floodplain Coordinator for the State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation for 21 years. During that period, he helped to promote higher floodplain standards in New York, including enacting a two foot “freeboard” requirement in New York’s building code, saving property owners millions of dollars in flood losses and flood insurance premiums. One of the founders of the New York State Floodplain and Stormwater Managers Association (NYSFSMA), a professional association with over 500 active members, he was their first Chair and currently serves the Association as its treasurer.

Mr. Nechamen has been a Board member of the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) at various times for 13 years. ASFPM represents over 15,000 professionals across the United States and internationally and is a key national voice in policies designed to reduce flood risk while preserving the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains. He served as chair (2013-2015), vice-chair (2011-2013) and treasurer (2008-2010) and is currently co-chair of the Floodplain Regulations Committee. Mr. Nechamen has received the ASFPM Meritorious Lifetime Achievement in Floodplain Management Award.
In his capacity as Floodplain Coordinator, he has led workshops and training sessions on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), floodplain management and regulations, understanding and interpreting flood maps, flood insurance and the Community Rating System.

AIA Info

AIA Provider Statement: 

HalfMoon Education Inc. is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number J885. All registered AIA/CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider of learning program may be sent to AIA/CES (cesupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). 

This learning program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. 

AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA/CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request. 

Course Title:  How to Obtain, Interpret, and Change a FEMA Flood Map

Delivery Method: Live Online 

Course Description: This three-hour course examines the history and types of flood maps, the reading and interpreting of flood maps and flood insurance studies, the obtaining and use of flood maps, and how to work with letters of map change.

Learning Objectives: 

Learning Objective 1: Learners will be able to explore the history and types of flood maps, identify flood zones and discuss planning and needs.

Learning Objective 2: Learners will be able to read and interpret flood insurance studies to identify high-risk areas and utilize floodway data tables.

Learning Objective 3: Learners will be able to obtain and use flood maps to determine if a property is in a flood-hazard area.

Learning Objective 4: Learners will be able to discuss Letters of Map Change and when they are warranted, including Letters of Map Amendment and Letters of Map Revision.

LUs: 3.0

LU Type: LU|HSWs 

Prerequisites: Experience with site evaluations and site development planning

Advance Preparation: None 

Program Level: Intermediate 

Course Expiration Date:  10/02/2027

Complaint Resolution Policy: 

Complaints regarding this course can be emailed to fchapman@halfmoonseminars.org or by calling (715) 835-5900. A HalfMoon Education representative will respond within 72 hours to resolve the complaint, which will include, but not limited to, access to another CE activity at no or reduced cost or a full or partial refund. Each instance will be resolved on a case-by-case situation.