FEMA, ICC Agreement Targets Disaster Prevention, Response
December 19, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
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The International Code Council (ICC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are teaming up to reduce the loss of life and property caused by natural disasters.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) calls for FEMA and ICC to support the maintenance, adoption, outreach, training and enforcement of disaster-resistant building safety codes to reduce human and economic losses resulting from natural hazards including hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados and flooding.
"Our agreement with FEMA addresses the role of first preventers, code and fire officials who prevent harm by ensuring compliance with building safety codes before a disaster occurs," said Steve Shapiro, ICC immediate past president.
"Our members also have the experience and capability to provide help to communities during those moments when skilled extra hands are needed during response and recovery from natural disasters. Code compliance and permits are vital to a community’s safety," Shapiro said.
Under the agreement, ICC will provide direct assistance to FEMA on a range of programs designed to reduce losses during natural disasters. FEMA will participate in the ICC code development process, using its data to develop future codes aimed at increasing public safety. The organizations also will jointly develop a strategy to promote code adoption to enhance disaster resistance in the built environment.
"Hurricane Katrina taught us some valuable lessons about partnerships," said David Paulison, FEMA administrator.
"Our predisaster partnerships are key, and this new, formalized partnership with ICC will go a long way toward making America safer. Mitigation - reducing disaster losses before events strike - is more important than ever in today's economy. Small investments now will provide big returns when disasters do strike," Paulison said.
Source: International Code Council (ICC).