EAST PROVIDENCE — As of May 1, the City of East Providence is now officially enrolled in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS).
The program, which is part of the National Flood Insurance Program, enables most of the city’s flood insurance policy holders to receive a discount on their flood insurance. This culminates months of data gathering, mapping, outreach, and meetings with FEMA and R.I. Emergency Management officials regarding our application for the program.
The city’s initial CRS rating is Class 9, which will result in a 5% discount in flood insurance premiums for policy holders within the floodplain, and for those outside of the floodplain who have what are known as “standard risk” policies. This will save these policy holders across the city a total of $13,460 annually, retroactive to May 1.
East Providence is the sixth municipality, and the first city, in the state to become enrolled in CRS. East Providence EMA will continue to work with other city departments in the future to maintain our CRS enrollment and to, down the road, achieve additional flood insurance discounts.
The East Providence Emergency Management Agency (EMA), part of the city’s Planning Department, plans and prepares for natural and man-made disasters. The agency educates the public, provides meteorological support for the city, and serves as the city’s floodplain resource. City EMA works closely with other local, state and federal agencies including the R.I. Department of Health, R.I. Emergency Management Agency, and FEMA on planning initiatives and on preparing for and responding to actual emergencies.
The East Providence Emergency Management webpage can be found on the City’s website, www.eastprovidence.com, under “City Departments online.” Facebook users can find us on the “EastProvEMA” Facebook Page.