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

2. 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

3.  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.

4.  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.

6.  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%.

7.  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)

8.  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*

9.  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.

10.  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.

11.  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.