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International Code Council Foundation Introduces New Program Line-up and New Website at www.icc-foundation.org

Posted on: Tuesday, 24 February 2009, 06:30 CST

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Code Council Foundation (ICCF) today announced new programs and partnerships for consumer education, professional development and community service -- and unveiled its new website at www.icc-foundation.org. The three focus areas support the five-year-old Foundation's mission to help consumers and avoid building tragedies by encouraging the construction of safe‚ sustainable buildings and homes.

"Building safety is no accident, and accurate, reliable information is the key to constructing and maintaining strong, sustainable structures," said ICC CEO and Foundation Board of Governors President Rick Weiland. "The new Foundation initiatives reinforce the natural link between code officials and their communities by providing efficient ways to deliver essential building safety information on topics ranging from energy efficiency and green building to disaster safety, fire safety, safe water and more."

New consumer education program topics include disaster mitigation and a partnership with the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. - FLASH(R) (www.flash.org) to offer families free information on how to protect homes from natural hazards like earthquakes, lightning, hail, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, winter storms and more. In May, the Foundation will sponsor the 29th Annual "Building Safety Week" to bring focus to affordable options to make homes and buildings stronger, safer and more sustainable.

"Joining forces with the Foundation aligns us with one of the most significant professions in building safety -- code officials," said FLASH President/CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson. "We are confident that this partnership will expand our ability to reach consumers with our proven consumer toolkits and downloadable, Do-It-Yourself home retrofit information."

Professional Development initiatives include two new scholarships. The "Code of Honor" scholarship is designed to help address limited resources for code officials to participate in the code development process and ensure a diverse range of input from all geographic areas. The "Professional Education" scholarship will provide code officials with access to training and education on new construction technology, building science and professional ethics.

Community Service initiatives are anchored by the new "Code Official Volunteer CORPS," a program designed to identify, celebrate and expand ongoing volunteer efforts by the 50,000 worldwide Code Council members, their families and organizational partners. The CORPS will support efforts to meet and exceed the volunteer service challenge issued to complete more than 250,000 hours of service before the next annual meeting in Baltimore during November 2009. "Code officials dedicate their professional lives to service, so volunteerism comes naturally," said Rick Weiland. "This challenge provides a meaningful way to energize and celebrate that spirit of service."

Online tools at www.icc-foundation.org include a volunteer hours "tabulator" to track hours, share stories and post photos of service projects.

Community service efforts also include a partnership to support the Foundation's Project H.E.R.O. (Homes Eliminated of Restrictions and Obstacles) an innovative program with the goal to improve the lives of disabled veterans across the United States by combining the volunteer spirit and expertise of the International Code Council (ICC) and International Code Council Foundation (ICCF) with the home rehabilitation expertise of Rebuilding Together (www.rebuildingtogether.org) and its dedicated Veterans Services Department.

For more information about the ICC Foundation, call 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233), ext. 4223, email smurphy@iccsafe.org or visit www.icc-foundation.org.

The International Code Council Foundation is a subsidiary of the International Code Council (ICC), a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention. The Council develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council. The Foundation (ICCF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to promote consumer education and professional development concerning ideas‚ methods and technologies to encourage the construction of safe‚ sustainable buildings and homes to minimize the devastating effects of natural disasters and other building tragedies.

SOURCE International Code Council Foundation

Source: PR Newswire

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