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Summer 1999 A-~~ A Lit Page 7 ~~ by ~neke ~uckiey Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Mapping Modernization Plan continues to move forward, bringing about exciting changes for the NFIP. As always, our emphasis is on customer service - - we want to provide the most accurate flood hazard information available in the most accessible format possible, and we want to be available to all stakehold- ers in the NFIP to answer any and all questions. I'd like to briefly discuss several of our recent initiatives that will help accomplish these goals. Of course, the primary player in FEMA's role of distributing flood hazard information is FEMA's Map Service Center. Recently, a new Map Service Center contract was awarded to Zimmerman Associates, Inc. (ZAI). After a transition period, ZAI will proceed to tum the Map Service Center into a 21st century data warehouse by utilizing new technologies to improve distribution while at the same time reducing costs. As we move further into the digital age, the paper inven- tory and storage space will be reduced while improving customer service and operational efficiencies. Some of the innovations to be implemented include computer- to-plate and print-on-demand technology and the distribution of digital products via the intemet. We look forward to working with the ZAI team to showcase digital mapping technology. As reported in our September issue, we've made progress in establishing atoll-free customer service hotline to answer questions from across the nation. This toll-free number will be up and running very soon to answer a broad range of inquiries, including questions about the status of Letters of Map Amendment, how to request revisions to NFIP maps, and the date of the latest NF'IP map for a community. By providing better access to answers, we anticipate that all stakeholders in the NFIP will be better served. Finally, to provide access to information about Mapping Modernization 24 hours a day, the Technical Services Division of FEMA is developing a web page on FEMA's web site targeted specifically for the consumer seeking infommation on flood hazard map- ping. FEMA has provided a substancial amount of information to the consumer on its web site, but this information is not aiwavs easv to locate and is often located many levels deep within the site. The Flood Hn;,ard _Mapping web Wage will Provide answers to virtually all consumer questions without the need to navigate through many pages or levels of the FEMA web site--basically "one stop for all the answers." This page has been targeted at four general consumer groups, homeowners, lenders/insurers, engineers/ surveyors and floodplain managers, and has been logically arranged to serve these constituencies. Each group has its own area on the main web page with links to those areas of greatest interest; however, all areas are available to all user groups. The web page contains such items as answers to frequently asked questions, forms, guidance docu- ments, and FEMA-developed engineering software. Links will be provided to the USACE Hydrologic Engineering Center for obtaining the latest copies of its software packages. The page also contains the names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of key FEMA and technical evaluation contractor personnel, and the page provides e-mail links for obtaining answers to those questions that still cannot be answered on-line. A significant feature of the web page is a feature allowing Letter of Map Change requestors to query the status of their requests on-line. We are excited with the direction the NFIP is moving. We believe that the initiatives discussed above are a major step in providing better service, and we look forward to continuing progress on the Mapping Modernization Plan. Reprinted with permission from January/February issue of Work In Progress Toll-Free customer service number for Map Assistance Center is: 877-336-2627 (FEMA MAP). -see March/April issue of Work In Progress for more information: www.fema.govlmitltsd