Rezin’s Flood Alliance now approved as continuing education credit for Certified Floodplain Managers

Ottawa, IL – Certified Floodplain Managers throughout the Illinois Valley can now receive their mandatory continuing education class credits by attending State Sen. Sue Rezin’s (R-Morris) quarterly Illinois Valley Flood Resiliency Alliance (IVFRA) workshops.

This spring, the Association of State Floodplain Managers recognized and credited two continuing education credits per IVFRA workshop. For example, Certified Floodplain Mangers who attended the last four IVFRA quarterly workshops can now receive up to eight credits. Sixteen continuing education credits are required every two years for a Certified Floodplain Manager to maintain certification.

“This is just another example of how our flood alliance can be used as model for other communities and regions around the state and the country,” State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) said. “We have come a long way since 2013 when we started this alliance. We are better prepared and better equipped now to handle a flood threat so our infrastructure, property, homes, and businesses have a better chance of staying dry.”

“This is a very important recognition for our alliance in that the national Association of State Floodplain Managers recognizes our work and approves these continuing education credits for our Certified Floodplain Managers,” said Mike Sutfin, Building and Zoning Official and Floodplain Manager for the City of Ottawa, who also plays a leading role in the IVFRA.

As a direct result the IVFRA, there are now 24 Certified Floodplain Managers in Rezin’s 38th Senate District.

“We’ve already seen the good work the IVFRA does in flood preparations when earlier this year, after heavy rainfall, members of the alliance worked together to ensure everyone was on the same page and communicated to each community up and down stream what they were doing to handle rising waters,” Rezin said. “I want to thank Mike Sutfin for his tireless work on this endeavor. Without his expertise and commitment to flood protection, our communities, especially Ottawa, wouldn’t be as prepared today.”

In 2013, Senator Rezin helped establish the IVFRA. The IVFRA brings communities, local governments, and emergency personnel together to help them prepare for floods through education, communication, and the purchasing of flood protection materials. The IVFRA includes LaSalle, Grundy, Bureau, and Putnam counties. 

The 38th Senate District has about 130 miles worth of river frontage, one of the most in the state.
Ottawa alone is the watershed for 12,000 square miles.
The state of Illinois has the largest collection of inland bodies of water and rivers in the continental United States.

12% percent of surface in Illinois is mapped as a flood plain.

Want to stay up to date with your Senator?

Sign up for the District E-Newsletter below:

[wpnbf-signup]