Institute for Hazards Mitigation Planning and Research

BOB FREITAG, Director
Institute for Hazard Mitigation Planning and Research
College of Architecture and Urban Planning
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-5740
(206) 818-1175

POSITIONS:

Present: Bob Freitag is the Executive Director of the Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW www.crew.org) and the Director of the Institute for Hazards Mitigation Planning and Research at the University of Washington (http://depts.washington.edu/mitigate/index.html). CREW is a not-for-profit corporation of private and public representatives working together to improve the ability of Cascadia Region communities to reduce the effects of earthquake events. The University of Washington Institute is an interdisciplinary academic Institute housed in the College of Architecture and Urban Planning. 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 Regents for the Association of State Floodplain Managers.

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. Served as special advisor to Regional Director on mitigation policy issues. 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. 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 Jose State College, Elementary Education (Certification) -- 1965
• University of Iowa, General Science (BA) -- 1961 - 65

RECENT 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
  
• National Hazards Center, 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, Western Executive Seminar Center (Denver, CO) - 1986
  
• Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team Training EMI
  
• 1983 Flood Hydraulics and Hydrology, Army Corps of Engineers (U of Calif. at Davis) - 1979

COURSES TAUGHT:

• Distant learning graduate level introductory course in emergency management (Winter 2004)
• Hazards Mitigation Studio (University of Washington, Spring 2002, and Winter of 2003)
• 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.

WRITTEN COURSES, PLANS, REPORTS AND ARTICLES:

• 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
• "Just-in-time inventories and other lessons in vulnerability". (Western States Seismic Policy Council article (submitted Summer 2004)
• "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.
  
• Samoa Territory "Hurricane Vale," Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan -1992.
  
• Guam Territory Hurricane, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan-1991.
  
• Oregon State, "Klamath Falls Earthquake", Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan -1993.
  
• Oregon State, "Scots Mill Earthquake," Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan -1992.
  
• California State, "Humboldt Earthquake," Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan - 1992.
  
• Washington State Severe Storms and High Tides, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan -1991.
  
• Alaska State Heavy Snow, Ice Jams and Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan - 1991.
  
• Washington State Fires, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan -1991.
  
• Washington State Severe Storms and Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan -1990.
  
• Oregon State Severe Storms and Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan - 1990.
  
• Washington State 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.
  
• Washington State severe freezing, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan -1989.
  
• Washington State Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan -1989.
  
• Hawaii State, "Hurricane EWE," Hazard Mitigation Team Report -1986.
  
• Florida State, "Hurricane, Elaina," Hazard Mitigation Team Report -1986.
  
• Oregon State Fires, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan -1985.
  
• Pennsylvania Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Team Report - 1984.
  
• Utah State, Hazard Mitigation Team Report -1984.
  
• Texas State, 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.
  
• Hawaii State, Hurricane Eva, Hazard Mitigation Team Report -1982.
  
• Wisconsin State, Tornado Hazard Mitigation Team Report -1981.
  
• Illinois State, Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Plan - 1981.
  
• Michigan State Relocation Strategy and program implementation of Section 1362 for Burton - 1980.
  
• Indiana State, Flooding, Hazard Mitigation Recovery Report -1980.

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 INCLUDE:

• 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 Planning Center. 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.