City staffer becomes certified Floodplain Manager

City of Fernandina Beach
Press Release
Contact: Mary Hamburg
April 30, 2018 1:00 p.m.

Stormwater Manager Andre Desilet successfully completed the process and examination to become an Association of State Floodplain Managers, Inc. (ASFPM) Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM).

The CFM exam is a three-hour, 120 multiple-choice question, closed book test. Exam topics include floodplain mapping, flood insurance, and natural solutions. Prior to the test, Andre participated in two days of lectures presented by Del Schwalls, Chair of the Florida Floodplain Manager’s Association. These classes, titled “Fundamentals of Floodplain Management”, and “Determining the Base of Flood Elevation”, were not comprehensive. Desilet studied many nights to pass the exam, which the proctor of mentioned has a pass/fail rate of about fifty percent.
“The knowledge I gained from preparing for this certification provides tools to better prioritize drainage projects and evaluate improvements”, says Desilet.  “Additionally, I learned a lot of information regarding funding opportunities, cost sharing, and mitigation grants. I’ll now be more effective in applying for grants.”

City Planner Jake Platt and Building Official Tony Perez-Guerra are also Certified Floodplain Managers. Mr. Perez-Guerra acts as the City Floodplain Administrator.
Congratulations to Mr. Desilet on his accomplishment and for striving to gain knowledge to better serve the City and its citizens.

More information regarding ASFPM and its CFM certification program can be found at www.floods.org.