Alewife Creek and Poplar St Flooding Mitigation Plan

Alewife Creek/Poplar Street Flooding Mitigation Plan

Deputy Fire Chief Miles J. Schlichte Emergency Management Director March 8, 2012 B&F Meeting Presentation

What is my background to be discussing flooding mitigation?

Two of four years completed towards accreditation as an Executive Fire Officer by the National Fire Academy

Accredited Chief Fire Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE)

Member of the International Association of Fire Engineers

Massachusetts Certified Emergency Manager Nationally Certified Emergency Manager by the

International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Masters Degree in Emergency Management Adjunct Instructor for Mass Maritime Academy teaching

Emergency Management in the Masters Degree Program

Vision Statement

My vision is that an extended duration rainfall will never again severely impact the residents and businesses residing in the Alewife Creek/Poplar St. area.

Problem The problem is that the existing

culverts along Poplar Street and Alewife Creek itself cannot handle the rainfall during large rain events.

This lack of capacity leads to the evacuation of residents, damage to property, loss of use of the DPW facility and road closures which impact emergency responses to the entire area.

Alewife Creek Flooding Area of Impact

Flood Mitigation Goal The goal is to apply to FEMA’s Hazard

Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for funding to permanently mitigate this flooding problem.

The DPW estimates that this project will cost just over a million dollars.

Cost/benefit numbers regarding this project are on your handout.

If approved, FEMA will pay 75%, the City 25%.

Alewife Creek/Poplar Street Objectives

Process Objectives: By November 15, 2011 Emergency Management will

have completed the flooding risk assessment for the area impacted by Alewife Creek. (completed)

By February 15, 2012 Emergency Management will have completed the collecting and analyzing of data related to previous losses. Evaluation methods shall include injury/loss statistics and anecdotal evidence. (completed)

By March 1, 2012 Emergency Management will have completed a cost/benefit analysis as required by FEMA. (completed with a positive outlook)

Alewife Creek/Poplar Street Objectives

Process Objectives By March 8, 2012 Emergency Management will have

made a presentation to the Budget and Finance committee to request approval of the required 25% matching funds obligation. (completed)

By March 13, 2012 the City Council will vote on providing the required 25% matching funds obligation. ($250,000.00) *subject to B&F finding*

If approved, by April 2, 2012 Emergency Management will submit a grant application to MEMA for review. *subject to council approval*

Risk Reduction Objectives Outcome Objectives Evacuations of the Poplar Park elderly

housing complex and the homes in the Alewife Creek area will no longer be needed. Quality of life and personal safety will be greatly improved for these residents.

There will no longer be business interruptions due to flooding in the Alewife Creek area. Economic losses due to flooding will cease for these businesses.

Risk Reduction Objectives Outcome Objectives Flooding severe enough to close the

Department of Public Works facility will be eliminated. Loss of this critical needs facility due to flooding will cease.

Poplar St, Maplewood Ave, and Cherry St. road closures due to severe flooding will no longer be needed. Increased emergency response times due to flooded roads will cease thus improving public safety throughout the entire area and neighborhoods beyond.

In Summary An engineering solution to a long-standing problem has

been identified thru the joint efforts of Emergency Management and the Department of Public Works.

FEMA’s CBA program indicates a strong positive cost vs. benefit analysis which is the best indicator of a proposal’s acceptance for funding.

The long term economic benefits for residents and businesses alike far outweigh the one-time cost to the city.

The long-standing safety and quality of life concerns of the residents of the area will have finally been addressed.

Thank you for your time. Any Questions?