by Michael O'Brian on May 6, 2012
Leaders Demonstrate Life Saving Programs
Have you ever sat in a room of your peers and wonder “Why didn’t I think of that” or ”how did they have time to get it done?” That ahh ha moment came multiple teams this weekend as I participated in the Models in Fire Prevention Symposium put on by the great folks associated with Vision 20/20.
The three day program highlighted programs from across the United States that are part of a community risk reduction strategy. Some of the presenters where some of the most talented folks in our business. Highlights included:
- The art and science of developing a prevention culture by Chief Zikmund
- People with profound hearing loss, partnering in community risk reduction
- ITM, regulating and managing qualifications of contractors and their employees
- Reducing nuisance [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on March 19, 2012
Public hearings include the International Building, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Plumbing and Private Sewage Disposal Codes
Code enforcement officials, other construction industry professionals and the public will meet to consider a broad range of proposed code changes to several International Codes that will improve building safety. Codes developed by the International Code Council are used in all 50 states and many nations worldwide.
The 2012 Code Development Spring Hearings, April 29-May 8 in Dallas, are focused on a set of codes known as Group A that include the International Building, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Plumbing and Private Sewage Disposal codes. These will be the initial hearings for 1,600 proposed revisions that ultimately will result in the 2015 editions of the codes. Code changes approved at the Dallas meeting will form the basis for resolution at the Final Action Hearings in October in Portland, Ore.
Please note that ICC policy has been amended to provide that a jurisdiction or other eligible governmental entity must submit an application to become an ICC Governmental Member by April 1 to be able to send voting representatives to the Final Action Hearings in October.
“The International Code Council supports the building safety community and [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on March 19, 2012
Scheduled for June 11-14 Las Vegas Nevada
Join industry experts and professionals at this year’s conference and expo. If you haven’t been to an NFPA Expo this is a show to try to attend. The conference has over 350 classroom sessions, a large expo, and you can help shape the next round of codes issued by the NFPA.
This is a great opportunity for AHJ and Inspectors to stay up to date on an industry that is changing at record pace. Even if you are new to code development, you should attend and see how the process takes place.
During the event, Deputy Chief Jay Jonas of the New York City Fire Department will give the 2012 NFPA Conference & Expo Featured Presentation at [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on March 18, 2012
The Fire & Life Safety Section of the IAFC is now accepting nominations for the 6th Annual Excellence in Fire and Life Safety Award, sponsored by the International Code Council (ICC). The award was developed by the ICC and the Fire & Life Safety Section to honor individuals who have dedicated themselves to saving lives and property through their work on building codes, fire-prevention practices or legislative efforts while demonstrating strong leadership in their fields.
FLSS is seeking nominations of individuals whose service, professional abilities and leadership has been exemplary in promoting fire prevention and who epitomize the model fire-prevention and fire-protection professional. Nominees do not have to be IAFC members, but you must be an IAFC member to submit a nomination.
Details about this award and [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on November 30, 2011
Graduates can earn Certificate of Achievement and an edge when competing for code enforcement and other construction industry jobs
A pilot program that began in Maryland to prepare high school students for careers in code enforcement and the construction trades is expanding nationally with the support of the International Code Council. The Code Council is backing code training for high school students based on a program begun by Harford Technical High School in Bel Air, Md., and encouraging technical and vocational high schools to offer similar programs.
The High School Technical Training Program teaches students the importance of building codes in constructing safe and sustainable structures. The curriculum will cover four major construction fields contained in the ICC International Residential Code: building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical. Graduates of the program will have the opportunity to earn an ICC Certificate of Achievement demonstrating proficiency and knowledge.
“I am excited about this innovative approach to teach high school students about the importance of building codes, and it will provide graduates with an advantage in the job market,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Richard P. Weiland.
Jim Ellwood, Senior Plans Examiner, Building Service Division, Harford County, is the originator of the pilot program at Harford Technical High School and he spoke at the Government Relations Forum during the Council’s Annual Conference in November. “Folks say I’m enthusiastic about this program,” said Ellwood. “How could I not be? I have a group of young people who want to excel in their careers.”
The program has [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on November 29, 2011
On December 15 we will be conducting a webinar with our friends at the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).
What do fire chiefs who have not promoted up through the ranks of a prevention division need to know about the often misunderstood fire marshal’s position? The fire marshal is often the face of an organization, the one who may bear the brunt of potential controversies from business and community leaders.
Join Fire Marshal Mike [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on November 8, 2011
2012/2013 Code Change Cycle Information Available
The Code Council has recently posted the Code Change Proposal form online for the 2012/2013 Code Change Cycle. That form is available as both a Word Document and PDF file here.The list of the Group A and Group B Committees responsibilities also is available on ICC’s website. Group A Code Change Proposals are due January 3, 2012
Call for Applicants to Join the New ICC-ES Environmental Committee
ICC-ES is issuing a call for applicants to join the recently approved Environmental Committee that will support the expansion of ICC-ES Environmental Programs.
The role of the Environmental Committee is to consider and approve criteria for products and systems under the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and other green building codes and rating systems. Click here to learn more and should be completed and submitted by November 30, 2011.
Read Conference Daily News Updates!
Follow all the action of ICC’s 2011 Annual Conference by checking out the Conference Daily News.
ICC Applauds California Governor’s Reinforcement of Building Standards Process
The Code Council commended California Governor Edmund Brown Jr. for vetoing Assembly Bill 275 that The Code Council voiced its concern with the Legislature and the Governor that passing the [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on November 8, 2011
Vision 20/20 is seeking proposals for presentation at the 2012 National Symposium on Model Performance in Fire Prevention.
Vision 20/20 is a collaborative effort to bridge the gap in fire prevention in the United States. It is sponsored by the Institution of Fire Engineers U.S. Branch and funded through Fire Prevention and Safety Grants by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Presentations may be submitted from local and state fire prevention officials, researchers, or other prevention advocates. Prevention projects or programs must have demonstrated some level of effectiveness at meeting specific objectives.
Model programs will be presented that are representative of all disciplines of fire prevention:
- Engineering (plan review programs, new technologies, etc.)
- Enforcement (fire code adoption, administration or enforcement)
- Education [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on August 21, 2011
Fire Rescue International to Kick off this Week
Arguably FRI is the top program for leaders in the fire service which kicks off this week in Atlanta! There has been a huge push to involve more top notch instructors in the community risk reduction programs and this program shows! It seems that many of you will be there and we hope you will attend many of the programs listed below. If yoiu can’t attend, and a peer in your organization is recommend to attend one of these programs.
There are other great programs, but it is critical in this current enviroment that Fire Chief’s attend one of the many great programs about Fire Prevention.
There are several programs which are aimed to provided the communities Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, and senior staff with tools to ensure communities are working to reduce the impact of fire on the community. These include:
- Fire Marshal More then a Badge! WK93 Friday, 08/26/2011 3:00PM – 4:30PM , Room B311This program looks at the critical role of the fire marshal within an organization and provides tools for the fire chief and fire marshal in understanding demands on the position. The course will look at tips that can be implemented by a Fire Marshal or Fire chief to ensuring success of a fire marshal in the first year. The course discusses the need for project management, customer service, code development, and time management to name a few.
- Fire Fighters Involvement in [click to continue…]
by Michael O'Brian on July 30, 2011
The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) is pleased to announce the launching of the Fire Marshal (FM) Designation. Rick Mason, CFO, Chair, CPC said “when contemplating what the next professional designation should be the Commission on Professional Credentialing was quick to embrace the Fire Marshal Designation…it makes sense that those who enforce our fire codes, teach citizens fire prevention, and find the cause of destructive fires should have a professional designation. Having the designation will both show professionalism of the individual as well as the professionalism of the department.”
The designation was [click to continue…]
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