PROJECTS

Subcontractor, Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Program (HMTAP)

Vissering Pardue and Associates is a subcontractor under the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Program (HMTAP). Through its prime contractor URS Corporation, VPA has performed a variety of tasks for FEMA's mitigation programs, including program support in the Gulf Coast Recovery Office and the FEMA National Mitigation Offices in Washington, D.C. (both listed separately here). VPA is available for technical support work nationally through this contract.

Risk Assessment ,Emerald Coast Utility Authority, Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant-Pensacola, Florida

As a subcontractor to R. C. Quinn Consulting and Baskerville Donovan, Inc., Vissering Pardue performed a complex risk assessment of a wastewater treatment plant in Pensacola, Florida. For the assessment, VPA used a two-part methodology on the FEMA Limited Data software platform. The first element of the assessment was to develop a frequency-damage curve for the most frequent events impacting the facility. This was accomplished with a derivation that grouped damaging events from 1985 to 2006, stratified the events by magnitude, then assigned frequencies to these based on the pattern and number of occurrences during that time period. The second part of the methodology incorporated updated flood profiles with facility-specific damage functions (for both physical damage and loss of function) developed in collaboration with Baskerville Donovan engineers, in order to develop a frequency-damage curve for the less probable events, generally those related to large events such as hurricanes.

Benefit-Cost Analysis for Floodgate Improvements, Drainage District 6-Jefferson County, Texas

Under subcontract to Jeffrey S. Ward Associates, Vissering Pardue completed a benefit-cost analysis for proposed improvements to a floodgate facility for the Jefferson County, Texas Drainage District 6. The analysis considered flood risks to crops, roadways and residences that would be reduced by the floodgates.

FEMA HMGP and PDM, Grant Applications and Benefit-Cost Analyses-Jefferson Parish, Louisiana

Under subcontract to Solutient, Inc., of New Orleans, VPA:

1. Prepared Hazard Mitigation Grant applications for residential elevations in Jefferson Parish, and performed benefit-cost analyses for mitigation-reconstruction applications.

2. Completed Benefit-Cost Analyses for Pump Station Safe Room HMGP applications, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.

3. Completed an HMGP application for public facility wind retrofits for the General Government Building, the Yenni Building, and the Sheriff's Office building. This work included benefit-cost analyses of the proposed retrofit work, and considered physical damages, losses of function, injuries and casualties.

4. Completed an Expanded Planning Grant application under the FEMA pilot initiative. The application requested FEMA funding for a range of engineering and technical services related to updating the Parish's Hazard Mitigation Plan to reflect changes in risk, goals and project priorities following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

HMGP Program Support, FEMA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

As a subcontractor to the URS Corporation (through the Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Program contract) VPA has assisted mitigation staff at FEMA Headquarters in Washington with various program issues and processes, including resolution of complex mitigation grant appeals and development of policies related to new agency initiatives.

All-Hazard Mitigation Plan-Jefferson County, Texas, Waterway and Navigation District

Under subcontract to Jeffrey S. Ward Associates, VPA is preparing an all-hazard mitigation plan for the Jefferson County, Texas, Waterway and Navigation District. The result of this work will be a FEMA-approved, DMA2K-compliant hazard mitigation plan. The work is ongoing as of June, 2006.

Basic Riverine Benefit-Cost Analysis Training Course

Under contract to the Emergency Management Institute and the National Emergency Training Center, VPA provided formal training to a variety of FEMA, State and Local officials in benefit-cost analysis of riverine flood mitigation projects (June 2006).

Technical Advising on Mitigation Issues - Office of Gulf Coast Recovery

As part of the recovery operations for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Colin Vissering is providing direct support to the Deputy Director of FEMA for Gulf Coast Recovery by identifying and resolving issues related to Mitigation program implementation. Specific areas of action include base flood elevation issues, reconstruction pilot program, development of effective HMGP projects and subsequent timely submission and review of grant applications, environmental and historic review issues, mitigation Plan completion, and consistency between States. In addition, Colin has been deeply involved in the integration of FEMA's HMGP program into Louisiana's Road Home Housing Program.