By Eric Pros, AIA
Most architects spend their careers designing buildings that will serve communities for generations. Few realize they can also help communities recover in the hours and days following a disaster. Over the past several months, I have had the opportunity to meet with disaster response leaders from across the country, reconnect with Ohio’s Safety Assessment Program (SAP) Evaluators, and begin rebuilding a statewide network of architects prepared to serve when communities need them most. What I’ve learned has been both concerning and encouraging: Ohio has an incredible opportunity to strengthen this important effort.
This summer has been punctuated by attending the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design, meeting with Disaster Assistance Coordinators from across the country and conversations with Paolo Capo, AIA’s National Director of Resilience and Disaster Response. Those conversations reinforced that architects play a vital role not only in designing resilient communities, but also in helping those communities recover after disasters through building safety evaluations, technical expertise, and leadership.
Today, AIA National recommends that a state the size of Ohio have approximately 50 trained Safety Assessment Program Evaluators. At present, Ohio has 13 active evaluators, with another 11 architects currently eligible for renewal. Rather than viewing that as a problem, I see it as an opportunity for our members to engage in a meaningful way.
As part of this effort, I’ve begun reconnecting with architects who previously completed SAP training. Some have retired, many contact records needed updating, and several architects have already expressed enthusiasm about becoming involved again. Every conversation helps strengthen Ohio’s ability to respond when communities need assistance.
At the same time, our vision is expanding beyond disaster response alone. Resilience begins long before an emergency occurs. Architects have the opportunity to help communities reduce risk through thoughtful planning, resilient design, collaboration with emergency managers, and public education. By preparing before disaster strikes, we can help communities recover more quickly when it does.
If you have previously completed SAP training, I would love to reconnect with you. Whether your certification is current or has lapsed, hearing from you helps us build a stronger statewide network.
If you’ve never participated in the Safety Assessment Program, I encourage you to consider joining this growing effort. It is a meaningful way to use your professional expertise in service to Ohio communities and an extension of our responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
There are two remaining live Safety Assessment Program (SAP) Evaluator Training sessions scheduled for 2026 through aiau.aia.org
September 16–17, 2026
Format: Live virtual
Time: 12:00–4:00 PM ET each day
Audience: Licensed architects, engineers, and certified building inspectors
AIA CE: 6.5 LU|HSW
Member Cost: $99 ($149 for non-members)
November 18–19, 2026
Format: Live virtual
Time: 12:00–4:00 PM ET each day
Audience: Licensed architects, engineers, and certified building inspectors
AIA CE: 6.5 LU|HSW
Member Cost: $99 ($149 for non-members
Building a resilient Ohio will take architects from every corner of our state who are willing to share their knowledge, lend their expertise, and serve when called upon.
If you’re interested in reconnecting with the program, learning more about SAP training, or becoming involved in AIA Ohio’s Disaster Assistance efforts, please reach out to me at epros@dsarchitecture.com or 440.396.9356. I would welcome the opportunity to connect.