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Bob Freitag CFM, Affiliate Faculty and 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
Directors with the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM – www.floods.org)
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:
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University of Washington, Urban Planning (MUP) -- 1967 - 69
San Jose State College, Elementary Education (Certification) -- 1965
University of Iowa, General Science (BA) -- 1961 - 65
WRITTEN COURSES, PLANS, REPORTS AND ARTICLES:
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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)
The NFIP and Climate Change: Is Flood Risk Misrepresented by Static
Maps.(Association of State Floodplain Managers Newsletter, “News and Views “ October
2007, http://www.floods.org/Newsletters/News_Views/NV_October07.pdf
How can emergency managers address our warming climate? (Journal of Emergency
Management, 2007), http://www.nemaweb.org/?2027
FEMA Higher Education Course – Floodplain Management, PI
http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu/fmgl.asp
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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)
http://www.crew.org/papers/CREWCascadiaFinal.pdf
Just-in-Time Inventory: Effects on Earthquake Recovery, Principle author (Published by
Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup , 2005)
http://www.crew.org/papers/JITfinal032405.pdf
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 Snohomish County
(2003-2004)
- Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Assessment for Sultan (2003-2004)
- Mitigation Plan for Clark County (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.
Samoa Territory “Hurricane Vale,” Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy
Plan -1992.
Guam Territory Hurricane, Hazard Mitigation Team Report, Mitigation Strategy Plan1991.
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.
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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.
COURSES DEVELOPTED/TAUGHT
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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 -- 2009)
Professionals Floodplain Management Workshops, 2 one day workshops (Oregon Land
Conservation and Development Commission 2006)
Hazards Mitigation Studio (University of Washington, Spring 2002, Winter of 2003,
Spring of 2005, 2006 and 2007)
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Toward More Sustainable Communities through Hazard Mitigation (University of
Washington 598, SPRING 1999 -- 2008)
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:
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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
AWARDS:
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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:
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Certified Floodplain Manager, Member of Certification Board of Regents, Association of
State Floodplain Managers, 2002-2008
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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
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)
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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.
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