FEMA Aid Will Favor Communities That Adopt Latest Building Codes

Earlier this month, FEMA announced a major shift in the way it distributes post-disaster aid. Previously, the aid was provided to state and local governments regardless of what building code version they were using and even if they did not have a code adopted. The new policy will require jurisdictions to use the latest code for the rebuilding effort if they want assistance from FEMA.

NRMCA has supported this move by FEMA, but more will need to be done to ensure resilient construction.  The building code is focused on life safety, not on property protection. Ed Thomas, president of the Natural Hazards Mitigation Association, stated that building codes "are basically a one-legged stool. They don't deal with disaster-risk reduction." NRMCA continues to support efforts to provide true resilience to our communities through improved standards, including:

• U.S. Resiliency Council;

• USGBC RELi system;

• ASCE/SEI Resilience Committee;

• Proposed ASCE standard for resilient building design;

• Proposed ASCE/ASHRAE joint standard for resilient design of building envelopes; and

• ASHRAE Position Document on resilience.

For more information, contact Scott Campbell at scampbell@nrmca.org.