By Eric Pros, AIA
Over the past several months, AIA Ohio has continued rebuilding and strengthening our statewide Disaster Assistance Program, with a primary focus on growing a reliable network of professionals trained through the Safety Assessment Program (SAP). Our recent statewide outreach is beginning to generate momentum. Previously trained evaluators are reconnecting with the program, new professionals have expressed interest in becoming trained, and local AIA components are exploring ways to support recruitment and training within their communities. But we have more work to do.
A state the size of Ohio should have a strong, geographically diverse network of trained professionals ready to assist communities when disaster strikes. Our goal is to build that network to approximately 50 active SAP-trained professionals statewide. Getting there means recruiting new volunteers, reconnecting with previously trained evaluators, keeping credentials current, and building a network that includes architects, engineers, building officials, inspectors, and other qualified professionals.
Just as importantly, communities need to know this resource exists. Our next step is outreach to emergency management officials across all 88 Ohio counties, introducing AIA Ohio’s Disaster Assistance Program and beginning to establish relationships before an emergency occurs.
This year has largely been about building the team and establishing the infrastructure. Looking toward 2027, the goal is to put that network into action, not simply waiting for the next disaster to happen.
I hope this group can become an active statewide resource for preparedness, resilient design, education, training, tabletop exercises, and collaboration with emergency management agencies and building officials. Resilience begins long before disaster strikes. Please reach out if you’d like to join our team.
We Need Your Help.
If you are currently SAP trained, we want to hear from you. If your credential has expired, let’s get you reconnected. And if you have never completed SAP training but are interested in using your professional expertise to serve Ohio communities, please consider joining us.
Our goal is 50 trained professionals, and reaching it will require participation from every corner of Ohio.
If you are interested in training, reactivating your involvement, or helping build the program, please reach out. I would be happy to help you find the right next step. Together, we can build a network that is trained, connected, and ready to serve when Ohio communities need us most.