09/09/2011
Bob Freitag
3110 Portage Place East, Unit G
Seattle WA 98102- 3884
(206) 818 1175
POSITIONS
1999 - Present: Bob Freitag is a Senior Instructor and Director of the Institute for Hazards Mitigation Planning and Research at the University of Washington. The University of Washington Institute for Hazards Mitigation is an interdisciplinary academic Institute housed in the College of Architecture and Urban Planning within the College of Built Environments at the University of Washington. The Institute is dedicated to exploring ways to integrate hazard mitigation principles into a wide range of crisis, disaster, and risk management opportunities. It is interdisciplinary in focus and structure, and the capabilities of the Institute are enhanced through its close links with other academic and research organizations. Freitag is also a Certified Floodplain Manager and is on the Board of Directors with the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM)
1999 – 2010: Executive Director of the Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW)CREW is a not-for-profit corporation comprised of private and public representatives working to improve the ability of Cascadia Region communities to reduce the effects of earthquake events.
1978 – 1999: Employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its predecessor agencies, the National Flood Insurance Administration. Responsibilities included being appointed as one of six FEMA national mitigation pilot project managers for FEMA’s national initiative, Project Impact. While with FEMA he served as special advisor to Regional Director on mitigation policy issues, was appointed by President Clinton as the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) to manage declared disaster response and recovery operations in Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Idaho, supervised a cadre of over 200 engineers, planners, architects and accountants in implementing response and recovery operations for over 50 presidentially declared disasters in 18 states and 2 territories and prepared over 40 post disaster hazard mitigation plans covering floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, landslides, wildland Fires, earthquakes and winter storms.
Education:
- University of Washington, Urban Planning (MUP) -- 1967 - 69
- San JoseState College, Elementary Education (Certification) -- 1965
- University of Iowa, General Science (BA) -- 1961 - 65
Written Courses, Plans, Reports and Articles:
- Dams, dikes and dredging: Can we 'fix' our rivers? by Bob Freitag and David R. Montgomery, Guest Column “Seattle Times” April 9, 2010,
- Floodplain Management: A New Approach for a New Era,,Robert Freitag, Susan Bolton, Frank Westerlund, and J. L. S. Clark (Island Press 2009)
- Shoreline Hazards Mitigation Plan Update (2009)
- Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan Update, PI, developed as studio project. 2008-2009)
- The NFIP and Climate Change: Is Flood Risk Misrepresented by Static Maps.(Association of State Floodplain Managers Newsletter, “News and Views “ October 2007,
- How can emergency managers address our warming climate? (Journal of Emergency Management, 2007),
- FEMA Higher Education Course – Floodplain Management, PI
- Undergraduate course on emergency management delivered during the Spring Quarter of 2006
- Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquakes: A magnitude 9.0 earthquake scenario, PI (Published by Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup, 2005)
- Just-in-Time Inventory: Effects on Earthquake Recovery, Principle author (Published by Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup , 2005)
- Redmond Hazard Mitigation Plan update, 2006-2007
- Principal Investigator or Co-PI on various hazard mitigation documents and plans including:
-Hazards Mitigation Plan for City of Everett (2004 - 2005 adopted
-Hazards Mitigation Plan for Redmond(2003 - 2004 adopted)
-Hazards Mitigation Plan for Shoreline (2003 - 2004 adopted)
-Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Assessment for SnohomishCounty (2003-2004)
-Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Assessment for Sultan (2003-2004)
-Mitigation Plan for ClarkCounty (2002 -2003 in process of being adopted)
-Hazards Mitigation Plan for Everett (2004 in process)
- Integrated Floodplain Management Course under contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Contracted January 2004, completion expected Spring of 2005)
- Distant learning graduate level contingency planning course emphasizing banking and government infrastructures (Contracted January 2004, completion expected Fall 2004)
- Distant learning graduate level introductory course in emergency management. (delivered Winter 2003)
- “Just-in-time inventories and other lessons in vulnerability”. (Western States Seismic Policy Council article (submitted for Summer 2004 edition)
- “Lessons Learned from the Nisqually Earthquake” (Western States Seismic Policy Council, Winter “Crisis 101: Colleges Boosting Emergency Management Courses” 2/12/02 article in Washington Post about Institute.
- Integrated Floodplain Management Course under contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Contracted January 2004, completion expected Spring of 2004)
- Principal Investigator for the development of a Floodplain Management Course, for the Washington Department of Ecology, 2001
- The Impact of Project Impact – Natural Hazards Observer, April 2001
- Alaska State Severe Storms and Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan -1994.
- Iowa State Heavy rains and flooding, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan, Community Relocation Plan - 1993.
- SamoaTerritory “Hurricane Vale,” Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan -1992.
- GuamTerritory Hurricane, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan-1991.
- OregonState, “Klamath Falls Earthquake”, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan -1993.
- OregonState, “Scots Mill Earthquake,” Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan –1992.
- CaliforniaState, “Humboldt Earthquake,” Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan – 1992.
- WashingtonState Severe Storms and High Tides, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan –1991.
- AlaskaState Heavy Snow, Ice Jams and Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan - 1991.
- WashingtonState Fires, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan -1991.
- WashingtonState Severe Storms and Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan –1990.
- OregonState Severe Storms and Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan – 1990.
- WashingtonState Severe Storms and Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan – 1990.
- Alabama “Hurricane Elaina,” Hazard Mitigation Team Report -- 1986
- Virgin Islands, Hurricane “Hugo,” –1989.
- WashingtonState severe freezing, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan –1989.
- WashingtonState Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan –1989.
- HawaiiState, “Hurricane EWE,” Hazard Mitigation Team Report –1986.
- FloridaState, “Hurricane, Elaina,” Hazard Mitigation Team Report –1986.
- OregonState Fires, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan –1985.
- Pennsylvania Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Team Report - 1984.
- UtahState, Hazard Mitigation Team Report -1984.
- TexasState, Hurricane, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Hazard Mitigation Relocation Strategy Plan and “Hazard Mitigation in the Brownwood Subdivision” (Paper presented at the Tenth Annual Oregon Planning Institute) – 1983.
- Washington State Relocation Strategy Plan and Section 1362 implementation documents for Hamilton – 1983.
- HawaiiState, Hurricane Eva, Hazard Mitigation Team Report –1982.
- WisconsinState, Tornado Hazard Mitigation Team Report –1981.
- IllinoisState, Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Plan – 1981.
- Michigan State Relocation Strategy and program implementation of Section 1362 for Burton – 1980.
- IndianaState, Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Recovery Report –1980.
COURSES DEVELOPTED/TAUGHT
- Climate Change Adaptation Workshop, given at the Association of State Floodplain Managers (May 16, 2010 conference).
- Urban Design Studio, Preparing a Hazards Mitigation Plan for Redmond Washington ( Winter 2008-Spring 2009)
- Floodplain Management short course (40 Hrs) Siberian Federal University Krasnoyarsk, Russia (August 2008)
- Distant learning graduate level course in contingency planning (Winter Academic Quarters of 2005 -- 2009)
- Distant learning graduate level introductory course in emergency management (Fall Academic Quarters of 2004 - 2009)
- Integrated Floodplain Management course (University of Washington Winter Quarters of 2003 -- 2010)
- Professionals Floodplain Management Workshops, 2 one day workshops (Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission 2006)
- Hazards Mitigation Studio (University of Washington, Spring Quarter 2002, Winter 2003, Spring 2005, Winter 2006, Winter 2007and Winter 2010)
- Toward More Sustainable Communities through Hazard Mitigation (University of Washington 598, SPRING 1999 -- 2011)
- Toward More Sustainable Communities through Hazard Mitigation (University of Washington 598, SPRING 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004)
- Business Resumption Planning (Kirkland Internship program sponsored jointing through Project Impact and the Carlson Institute, GS 350)
- An Introduction to Hazard Mitigation (University of Washington, 499X, FALL 1998)
- Hazard Mitigation Within the Public Assistance Program (Emergency Management Institute, 1996)
- FEMA Public Assistance Operations for Engineers and Accountants (FEMA 10 Regional Office, 1995)
- FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program for Architects and Planners (FEMA 10 Regional Office, 1993)
- Flood Insurance Program training (Emergency Management Institute, 1988)
- Taught K-12 science in Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines as a Peace Corps Volunteer, 1965.
- Taught science instruction methodology at Philippine Normal College, 1966 during summers and one fall semester.
Training:
- HAZUS Workshop, June 2002 and 2004
- “Crowding the RIM” workshop, July 2001
- The Business of Earthquake, November 2001
- Community Rating System Workshop, Emergency Management Institute (EMI) --1999
- NationalHazardsCenter, Boulder, July 2001
- Federal Coordinating Officer Workshop, EMI --1995
- State Public Assistance Program Managers Workshop, Emergency Management Institute (EMI) – 1994
- NEPA Training Workshop (EMI)– 1993
- Disaster Exercise Design Workshop (State of Idaho) – 1988
- Hazard Mitigation Workshop (EMI) – 1987
- Federal Program Management Seminar, WesternExecutiveSeminarCenter (Denver, CO) - 1986
- Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team Training EMI
- 1983 Flood Hydraulics and Hydrology, Army Corps of Engineers (U of Calif. at Davis) – 1979
Awards:
- Extraordinary Performance for Project Impact efforts – 1998
- Outstanding Public Service presented by Seattle Federal Executive Board – 1998
- Special Achievement for Federal Coordinating Officers related actives – 1997
- Certificate of Outstanding Performance – 1994
- Certificate of Commendation for FEMA Employee of the Year award - 1993
- FEMA Meritorious Service Award – 1993
Other Accomplishments including certificates, Reseach, talks…:
- Tsunami Safe Havens along the Washington Coast, Washington Emergency Management Project funded through NEHRP program. (2009-1010)
- Board of Directors, Association of State Floodplain Managers. (2008-2010)
- Certified Floodplain Manager, Member of Certification Board of Regents, Association of State Floodplain Managers. 2002-2008
- Address on expected climate induced flooding impacts in the Northwest – Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association Conference in Chelan 2008 and at the Association of State Floodplain Managers Conference in Reno 2008.
- Address on flooding in the Northwest – Partners In Emergency Management Conference 2008, 2009, 2010)
- Lead for National Earthquake Conference held in Seattle, April 2008
- Address on Climate Change and Flood Risk – National Emergency Managers Association Conference.(2007)
- Organized the CREW “Business of Earthquakes” Conference, November 27, 2001
- Developed a Distant Learning Hazards Mitigation Course, University of Washington Extension, summer quarter of 2001.
- Prepared the first FEMA initiated Inter-Agency Hazard Mitigation Plan.
- Trained numerous temporary and permanent FEMA employees on the principles of Hazard Mitigation.
- Developed and implemented one of the initial agency response exercises leading to formulation of the “Federal Response Plan.”
- Assisted Seattle in winning a national award in recognition of their efforts to develop and implement a plan towards becoming a Disaster Resistant Community.
- Developed and implemented plan to relocate the landslide prone community of Lower Banks, ID.
- Removed the flooding and hazardous wastes threat from the communities of Warder and Kellogg, ID.
- Developed strategy leading to the purchase of flood prone homes in many communities including a 100 home subdivision near Baytown, Texas.
- Instrumental in developing and implemented agency’s early efforts at elevating flood prone structures -- Snoqualmie, WA.
- Instrumental for the inclusion of an optional hazards element in the Washington Growth Management Act.
- Developed first FEMA initiated wild-land fire mitigation plan.
Other Related Work Experience:
INTERPLAN, INC., Melbourne, Australia - (1976- 78)
Served as Consultant/Planner with a medium size architecture and planning firm.
Accomplishments:
Developed population projections and social indicators for Sunbury and Melton New Town Plans.
Wrote design criteria for transit stops, and rezone applications.
Designed and implemented user study for Mount Hotham Ski Resort.
AOTANI AND HARTWELL - Honolulu, HI - (1975-76)
Served as Consultant/Planner in a small architecture and planning firm. Responsible for selected elements required in the preparation of the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan for the State of Hawaii.
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII - Honolulu, HI - (1969-75)
Staff planner initially, and ultimately Director of the "Model Cities" program sponsored Resident Research and PlanningCenter. The Center was a product of the City and County of Honolulu Model Cities Program and the University of Hawaii. Activities included:
Provided practical experience to "Model Cities" residents enrolled in an undergraduate urban planning curriculum at the University of Honolulu.
Prepared rezone applications, building permits, planning studies, and grant applications for sister projects.
Wrote grants for the Center and other Model Cities projects.
Carried out the day-to-day management and budgetary activities of the 10-person Center.
Offered technical support to other "Model Cities" projects.
Peace Corps Volunteer - Philippines (1965-67)
Mainly responsible for teaching science to grades 3 through 6.
Activities included:
Participated as a member of National curriculum development team.
Taught science instruction methodology at Philippine Normal College during summers and one fall semester.
Assisted the Philippines Rural Reconstruction Movement in establishment of a lending cooperative.
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