The International Code Council and the IAFC share a common mission of working hard every day to protect public health and safety. Based in part on the involvement of IAFC members, ICC has been able to improve fire safety.
We've had an MOU in place for nine years and we've collaborated on initiatives related to model code development and adoption. IAFC members serve on many ICC committees and councils and ICC has the honor of sponsoring the Excellence in Fire and Life Safety Award, presented at Fire-Rescue International to Chief Tony Apfelbeck of Altamonte Springs, Fla., Building/Fire Safety Division.
This cooperation matters and it's important. ICC appreciates the continued support of the many talented IAFC volunteers who help make our codes stronger.
Raising awareness about safety is such an important part of what we do—especially as state and local budget challenges persist—and that's one reason we're so excited about the new Coalition for Current Safety Codes the NFPA and ICC announced in July. The Coalition already has over 340 members and we're advancing public safety in the built environment by advocating that states and local communities adopt up-to-date fire, building, electrical and life safety, and plumbing codes.
ICC and NFPA have come together to co-chair this initiative to strengthen public awareness and broaden support for the adoption of the latest codes.
We're communicating to the public and to state and local decision makers that adopting and enforcing the latest codes and standards is the most efficient and effective method of creating safe, sustainable and affordable communities.
We held a kick-off conference call in September to discuss the Coalition’s plan of action. During the call, the Coalition addressed a communications outreach strategy to leverage and amplify the voices of the members of the Coalition.
The development of a Coalition toolkit—made up of articles, documents, testimony, background information and resource materials on any discipline or topic related to building safety—was also taken up. Such a toolkit will enable the Coalition to help individual jurisdictions when they're making important decisions about adopting and implementing codes.
We encourage IAFC members to check out the Coalition website. We're excited about the positive impact this initiative is having on the community of professionals who design, approve, construct, inspect, protect and maintain the buildings where we live and work.