By Eric Pros, AIA
As architects, we are uniquely trained to evaluate buildings, understand risk, and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. In the aftermath of a disaster, those skills become critically important.
This year, I have the privilege of serving as the AIA Ohio Disaster Assistance Coordinator. One of the major goals of this effort is to strengthen Ohio’s network of architects trained to assist communities following disasters and emergency events through the Safety Assessment Program (SAP).
Originally developed following the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake in California, the SAP program was created to help local governments rapidly evaluate buildings and infrastructure after disasters. Over the decades, SAP trained professionals have assisted communities following earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other major emergency events across the country. The program has also been deployed nationally through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), including recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina and recent California wildfire disasters.
Administered through the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the program trains architects, engineers, geologists, and building officials to perform rapid safety evaluations of damaged structures in the critical hours and days following a disaster. These evaluations help determine whether buildings are safe to occupy, require restricted use, or should remain unoccupied until further assessment can occur.
While Ohio may not regularly experience disasters at the scale seen in other parts of the country, our communities are not immune to tornadoes, severe storms, flooding, and other emergency events. Having a prepared and organized statewide network of trained architects is an important part of strengthening Ohio’s resiliency and supporting communities when they need help most.
Over the coming year, work will continue to better understand and reconnect Ohio’s existing network of SAP trained architects while also encouraging new participation throughout the state.
If you have previously completed SAP training, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Please consider reaching out to confirm your contact information, training status, and interest in remaining involved in future disaster response coordination efforts.
For those who have already completed SAP training, it is important to remember that SAP credentials expire every five years and refresher training is required to maintain active status. Cal OES currently allows a one-year grace period following expiration to complete refresher training before individuals must reenter the program through a new instructor led course.
The SAP refresher course is available online through the Cal OES training portal and includes six self-paced modules followed by a final examination. Upon successful completion, Cal OES automatically updates participant records and issues an updated SAP identification card or certificate.
For architects who have never taken the training, I strongly encourage you to consider participating. The program offers a unique opportunity to use your professional expertise in service to communities during moments of real need. It is a meaningful extension of our responsibility as architects and a powerful way to support the resilience of Ohio communities.
This effort is still growing, and there is important work ahead. My hope is that together we can continue building a strong, responsive, and resilient statewide network of architects prepared to assist Ohio communities when they need us most.
If you are SAP trained, interested in becoming involved, or would simply like to learn more, please feel free to reach out at: epros@dsarchitecture.com or 440.396.9356
Thank you for your continued commitment to the profession and to the communities we serve.