Training Resources

Listed below are multi-media training materials for understanding and implementing the National Flood Insurance Program in Maine. This training can be useful for a variety of different stakeholders: code enforcement officers (CEO), emergency management agency (EMA) staff, surveyors, engineers/builders, real estate agents, insurance agents, and more.

The table below details trainings that each of these professions can follow to implement the NFIP in Maine and become better versed in floodplain management.  

 Code Enforcement OfficersEmergency Management Agency staffSurveyorsEngineers/BuildersReal Estate AgentsInsurance Agents
Basics of Floodplain ManagementXXXXXX
Using Flood Hazard MapsXXXXXX
Substantial Damage/Substantial ImprovementX XX  
Technical BulletinsX  X  
Flood Insurance AdjustersX   XX
Additional TrainingXXXX  
Basics of Floodplain Management

Floodplain management is an essential practice for communities of all sizes. Communities can protect both people and property by understanding where flooding is most likely to happen, regulating construction in areas at risk, and insuring structures that are already built. The following resources provide a basic knowledge base for floodplain management.  If you are new to the practice, need a refresher, or have questions about the application of the program, start with these to learn more. For more information about the maps associated with floodplain management, visit the Flood Hazard Mapping page. For more information about town ordinances and permits for floodplain mapping, visit the Community Floodplain Regulations page.

Using Flood Hazard Maps

FEMA has created official flood maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), for much of the United States. As the name suggests, these maps are primarily used to decide whether flood insurance should be required for a property and set flood insurance rates. However, they are often a community’s best resource to understand the flood risk in their area. Knowing how to use flood hazard maps can help communities better form floodplain management plans. Visit the Flood Hazard Mapping page for more information about the available maps. The following trainings help navigate available tools, particularly the FEMA Map Service Center and the National Flood Hazard Viewer.

Substantial Damage/Substantial Improvement

When a structure is “substantially improved” or “substantially damaged,” it must be rebuilt to be compliant with the community’s local floodplain ordinance.  

“Substantial improvement” is defined as any improvement to a building valued at 50% or more of its market value before the improvements begin. A building is “substantially damaged” when the cost to restore the building to its pre-damage condition is 50% or more of the market value of the pre-damage building. Substantial damage requirements apply whether the building is restored to its pre-damage condition. Code enforcement officers and emergency management agencies are often called upon to make substantial damage estimates.

Substantial improvement and substantial damage are complex topics. There are limited exclusions to the substantial improvement and substantial damage calculations. For example, some alterations to historic buildings do not count as substantial improvements, provided they meet certain requirements. For more information, please see the resources below.

Technical Bulletins

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Technical Bulletins provide guidance for complying with the NFIP’s building performance requirements in Title 44 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. Topics include: 

  • Openings in Foundation Walls and Walls of Enclosures
  • Flood Damage Resistant Materials Requirements
  • Non-Residential Floodproofing Requirements and Certifications
  • Elevator Installation
  • Free-of-Obstruction Requirements
  • Below-Grade Parking Requirements
  • Wet Floodproofing Requirements and Limitations
  • Corrosion Protection of Metal Connectors in Coastal Areas
  • Design and Construction Guidance for Breakaway Walls Below Elevated Coastal Buildings
  • Reasonably Safe from Flooding Requirement for Building on Filled Land
  • Crawlspace Construction for Buildings Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas 
Flood Insurance Adjuster Training

Flood insurance adjusters are insurance agents who are trained to assess flood damage. For insurance agents, this is a great skill to have.

Code enforcement officers and real estate agents may want to be aware of the trainings in order to know about the flood insurance adjusting process.  

Additional Training

Code enforcement officers, emergency management professionals, builders, surveyors, and engineers may find additional topic-specific training useful.