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Volume 21, Issue 1, January 2019
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NDRC18 Multimedia Report Now
Available
NDRC18 brought together the nation's foremost experts in disaster safety science, policy, and practice from November 7 to 9 in Clearwater Beach, Florida. The program supported continued recovery for communities affected by the devastating catastrophes of 2017 and 2018, shared best practices and innovation, and forged a stronger movement for the future. Conference participants represented stakeholders from public, private, and nonprofit organizations interested in collaborative opportunities to protect families and mitigate property losses from disasters of all kinds.
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Seismic Codes the Top Topic in CA
Earthquake experts gathered in San Francisco on December 11 in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge to discuss potential Group B I-Code change proposals for the upcoming International Code Council code development cycle. Code proposals are due this month and may be submitted by anyone with an interest in suggesting, editing, or modifying code sections.
Items under consideration range from cripple wall construction and brick veneer adherence to structure exteriors and storage rack standards. All these items have some manner of seismic consideration necessary for proper performance in an earthquake event.
Read More >
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Nick Shufro
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Partner Spotlight - Nicholas A. Shufro
Nicholas A. Shufro's passion for improving society's resiliency and enhancing organizational sustainability goes further than his impressive resume of work experience.
In addition to serving as the Chief Learning Officer and Director of Strategic Alliances for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), he spends time volunteering for three nonprofit organizations. For the past thirteen years, Mr. Shufro has served as the treasurer for the Sea Turtle Conservancy and chairman of the EcoLogic Development Fund. Recently, he joined the advisory board for the Natural Hazards Center, an academic center that is dedicated to reducing the harm from disasters.
Read More >
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FEMA Building Science Releases New Safe Room Fact Sheets
Safe room door assemblies are one of the most important components of a safe room because they must provide the same level of protection as the walls and roof, yet also remain functional for quick access. FEMA has released additional guidance on safe room doors through the update of the Residential Tornado Safe Room Doors Fact Sheet and a new fact sheet
, Community Tornado Safe Room Doors: Installation and Maintenance.
Read More >
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Simpson Puts New Connector to the Test
Legacy Partner
Simpson Strong-Tie, the leader in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, has introduced the SCS seismic bypass framing connector, the first hybrid seismic clip engineered for either slide-clip or fixed-clip applications in high-seismic areas, and the first product of its kind to undergo full-scale cyclic research testing to determine load capacities in real-world conditions.
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Collaboration Opportunities and Upcoming Events
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George P. Bush
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Commissioner Bush to Keynote at Texas State Collaborative
Texas Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush will present his report Hurricane Harvey: Texas At Risk at the 2019 Texas State Collaborative (TSC) meeting in Austin on Wednesday, January 30. The report captures lessons learned from Hurricane Harvey and offers 18 policy recommendations, including:
- The state legislature should establish by state statute a Regional Building Code District (RBCD) with standard-setting authority in the high-risk hurricane region of Southeast Texas which would replace the existing weak and uneven building code system.
- The state should fund at least 75% of the salary costs of building code enforcement (local inspectors and third-party contractors working for cities and counties) with 25% funded by building permit fees in this new RBCD.
- A large reserve account should be established using federal funding initially before the next hurricane season later funded by state, city, and county resources to accelerate the existing housing buyback programs for homes that repeatedly flood.
Formed in 2012, the TSC addresses the most pressing issues affecting the Texas built environment and focuses on three goals to create disaster-resilient communities, including:
- Increasing public safety through enhanced awareness of Texas weather risks,
- Fostering strong, modern, state and local building codes, and;
- Supporting effective enforcement of state and local building codes by well-trained and adequately resourced professionals.
The workshop is free, but advance registration is requested.
Click here to register and reserve your seat today. Discounted hotel rooms are available at
Marriott Courtyard Austin before tomorrow, January 9. Email
[email protected] or call (877) 221-SAFE for more information today.
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2019 NDRC Call for Presentations Set
If you have expertise in the latest science, policy, and practices that drive more resilient buildings and create disaster-resilient communities, FLASH invites you to submit a presentation for the 2019 National Disaster Resilience Conference
(NDRC19). NDRC19 will take place in Clearwater Beach, FL from November 19 to November 22.
The call for presentations will open on January 15 and close on March 15.
Read More >
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South Carolina Inspector & Contractor Training Available
South Carolina Department of Insurance
and FLASH will conduct trainings on February 6 and 7 in Myrtle Beach, SC for new contractors and inspectors that wish to participate in the SC Safe Home Program.
Materials covered will include the technical aspects of the program as well as the administrative details of how the program operates and what is expected of participating inspectors and contractors. A short exam will be administered at the end of each day's training.
Registration details are below:
Inspector Training
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Contractor Training
Thursday, February 7, 2019
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Join #HurricaneStrong HQ at the National Hurricane Conference
Make plans now to attend the 2019
National Hurricane Conference
, April 22 - April 25, 2019 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, and join the
#HurricaneStrong
"Headquarters" in the exhibit hall. The National Hurricane Conference is the nation's top forum for education and professional training in hurricane and disaster preparedness with more than 100 workshops, training opportunities, and rap sessions.
for additional information, including links to conference events and hotel registration.
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National Earthquake Conference Site Selected
Save the date for the 2020 National Earthquake Conference (NEC) set for March 4 - 6 at the Sheraton Hotel & Marina San Diego. Every four years, the NEC brings together seismic stakeholders to address the science, policy, and practical developments in the earthquake and tsunami safety realm. The 2016 conference drew worldwide experts; inspired an immediate increase in financial support for earthquake safety research; and generated an ongoing, global dialogue about challenges the U.S. faces with seismic risk.
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