The Code Council’s High School Technical Training Program (HSTTP) started in 2008 to introduce high school students to building codes and the field of building safety. Since its inception, the program has been implemented in more than 20 states, with over 60 participating schools providing certificates to more than 1,500 students. Over the past year, the Code Council updated the HSTTP website, adding new resources and electronic forms to improve the experience for students and instructors. The Code Council has also showcased participating high school groups at its Annual Conference for the last two years. The Technical Training Program continues to expand throughout the country among high schools, colleges, adult programs and military support organizations. For more, click here.

Joan O’Neil was recently named the Code Council’s new Chief Knowledge Officer, a role which will help the Code Council enhance its digital transformation by creating an enterprise-wide digital strategy for products and services. O’Neil brings extensive experience in leading professional learning and Educational Technology (EdTech) Solution businesses. Previously, she served as Vice President of Skillsoft Corporation, an eLearning provider that delivers professional development to organizations. Prior to that, she was an Executive Vice President for Wiley, where she developed strategies to lead the organization’s digital learning and publishing enterprise. As an objective set by the Code Council’s Vision 2025 Strategic Plan, the association is focused on increasing value for its members and the building safety community by providing leading solutions that members and customers may access from any digital device.  In her role as Chief Knowledge Officer, O’Neil will be responsible for strategy, planning, and development of the association’s knowledge infrastructure and products that meet the needs of Code Council members and customers. Read more here.

Other states are watching as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approves Louisiana’s action plan for spending $1.2 billion in Community Development Block Grant Mitigation funds, allowing the state to move forward with a plan aiming to reduce flood risk for Baton Rouge and other cities. The plan outlines the state’s approach to funding mitigation projects, data collection, watershed modeling and policy measures that align with the long-term resilience objective of the Louisiana Watershed Initiative. Consistent with support the Code Council provided in comments to the then Draft Action Plan, the approved plan provides (1) $24 million for watershed planning that can be used to support the adoption and implementation of modernized codes and (2) more than $570 million for local and regional watershed programs, which can support code enforcement activities, training, and certification in building methods. The state expects the funding to become available in spring 2020 and is prepared to begin using these funds as soon as they are available to make significant investments in low-risk, high-impact projects to reduce flood risk throughout the state. Currently, California, Georgia and Missouri have open comment periods and ICC members are encouraged to participate in public comments and hearings on state CDBG-MIT plans. This is significant funding that can be used for code adoption and updating and for staffing and training if states choose to prioritize those activities for funding. The Code Council will work closely with state chapters and partners to leverage these resources for needed adoption, enforcement, certification, and training activities in the state. Read more.

The Code Council is ready to kick off the 2020-2023 cycle of Fire Code Action Committee (FCAC) with an organizational consolidation in the process. “All FCAC Regional Work Groups (RWGs) are adjourned and we encourage former RWG members and all other interested parties to shift their energy and contributions to the FCAC Task Group process,” Chief Michael O’Brian, Chair – FCAC, said. “The goal of FCAC Task Groups is to solicit input from members across a variety of backgrounds to aid in the development of code change proposals that address a focused concern while keeping input fluid.” Individuals interested in serving on FCAC Task Groups are encouraged to reach out to Task Group points of contact or chairs directly to engage in the process. For more information, email Karl Fippinger, kfippinger@ICCSafe.ORG.

The Code Council is among the sponsors of the National Community Development Week to be commemorated April 13-17 across the nation. The effort calls attention to the importance of the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which provides funding to assist communities in building rehabilitation as well as updating building codes and providing books, materials and training, and enforcement staffing. Updated codes and training are essential to making communities more resilient and protected from natural and human-caused disasters. Click here for a downloaded copy of the NCDW toolkit to plan your community’s events.