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Volume 19, Issue 4, April 2017
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Disaster Safety Leaders Unite to Protect Florida Building Code System
Disaster safety stakeholders from across the United States are coming together to oppose pending legislation that would set the stage for erosion of the current building code system in Florida. The bills stymie future updates by locking into existing code editions as the foundation, making updates more difficult to adopt, and removing the mandatory three-year update cycle.
FLASH and the International Code Council oppose the legislation as do organizations representing architects, emergency managers, engineers, firefighters, fire marshals, first responders, insurers, safety advocates, volunteer organizations, and more. All have joined the
Floridians for Safe Communities
, a new, broad-based coalition formed to ensure Florida communities stay safe and strong by upholding Florida's current building codes. Craig Fugate, Former FEMA Administrator, serves as the Chairman of Floridians for Safe Communities.
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Florida Sea Grant Advisory Council
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Building Code Science and Policy Intersect on the Sea Grant Advisory Council
The Florida Sea Grant Advisory Council met on March 23 to discuss ongoing work to protect the coastal resources of the state. Roofing and wind mitigation for coastal homes are among the Council's projects.
FLASH Senior Vice President of Education and Technical Programs Mike Rimoldi was among the 22 Council members participating in the meeting, offering his knowledge as a former building official and expertise on construction and building codes. The research is led by the University of Florida.
Read More >
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Share the New #HurricaneStrong Video and Help Grow the 2017 Effort
If a picture's worth a thousand words, then this brief video showcasing last year's inaugural #HurricaneStrong campaign may be worth a million. The new reel is now available to share and help spread the word that the 2017 campaign can be even bigger than last year. And, the only way to grow will be through expanded participation and support.
Please share this fun video, and send your friends and colleagues to HurricaneStrong.org to sign up as a sponsor or supporter today.
Questions? Contact
[email protected]
or call 877-221-SAFE (7233) ext. 304.
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#HurricaneStrong Merchandise & New Sponsorship Opportunities Available
New #HurricaneStrong products are now available to help generate financial support and sponsorships. Merchandise includes baseball caps, tote bags, key chains, water bottles, mugs, t-shirts, sweatshirts, dog shirts, and more.
Last year, the #HurricaneStrong campaign encouraged millions to take action and will spread even further this year through your support of #HurricaneStrong products and online sponsorships.
Read More >
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FLASH Board of Directors |
Corporate Board Plans for the Future
FLASH Directors, Advisors, and guests rolled up their sleeves in Miami and began the process of updating the five-year strategic plan. Led by futurist and former Disney Imagineer Joe Tankersley, the group reviewed trends and discussed future priorities. National Hurricane Center (NHC) Director Dr. Rick Knabb and his team hosted the Directors at the NHC for a guided tour of the impressive facility.
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Collaboration Opportunities and Upcoming Events
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Register Today for Southern California QuakeSmart Workshops
Time is running out to register for the spring QuakeSmart Preparedness Workshops in Southern California.
With scientists estimating a 75 percent chance of a 7+ magnitude earthquake striking Southern California in the next 30 years, business and community leaders are urged to take the necessary steps to be there and take their preparedness to the next level. With 13 U.S. QuakeSmart Preparedness Workshops completed, FLASH and its partners are gearing up for three more to help California address the risk.
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FLASH to Share Expertise During American Samoa Seismic Training Program
In an unprecedented trip for FLASH, team member Mike Rimoldi, will travel across the equator to the Southern Hemisphere. Rimoldi will serve as an instructor for the American Samoa Seismic Training Program beginning April 10. Along with the assistance and technical expertise of engineer Bill Gordon and former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency staff member Tim Bodell, Rimoldi will present information on how to make structures safer in an area that has an ever-present risk for seismic activity.
Read More >
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Dr. Rick Knabb
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Dr. Rick Knabb to Keynote National Disaster Resilience Conference
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Kevin Smith
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Partner Spotlight -
Kevin Smith, Salvation Army Director of Emergency Disaster Services, Florida Division
April showers brings
National Volunteer Month,
a time for showering praise on all our volunteers whose efforts help to bring the FLASH mission to life. In honor of the occasion, we want to shine the spotlight on a longtime FLASH volunteer who has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty. With heavy demands on his time as Director of Emergency Disaster Services for the Salvation Army Florida Division, Kevin Smith has found the time and energy to get involved with FLASH in significant ways since 1998.
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| Ed Rappaport |
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Staffing Changes Announced at National Hurricane Center
Dr. Rick Knabb, Director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC), has accepted a new position as on-air hurricane expert at The Weather Channel effective May 15. Dr. Knabb will play a key role in helping America prepare for the upcoming hurricane season by participating in the National Hurricane Conference and the NOAA Hurricane Awareness Tour.
Dr. Edward Rappaport, NHC deputy director for the past 17 years, will serve as acting director for the upcoming hurricane season.
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Understanding the Connection between U.S. Fatalities and Atlantic Tropical Cyclones
Tropical cyclones generate a variety of weather-and water-related hazards. When one of these hazards provides the proximate cause for loss of life we can characterize the loss as a "direct" death. But direct deaths do not tell the whole story. They do not include the important class of indirect fatalities-casualties that, while not directly attributable to one of the physical forces of a tropical cyclone, come after the storm by people who have pre-existing conditions exacerbated by the stress or strain of the storm.
This article written by Ed Rappaport, deputy director of the NOAA National Weather Service Tropical Prediction Center-National Hurricane Center explores these weather-related fatalities.
Click here
to read more.
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