By Eric Pros, AIA
AIA Ohio is advancing efforts on Natural Disaster Assistance and Resiliency. I am honored to step into the role of AIA Ohio State Disaster Assistance Coordinator, building upon the important foundation established by Rick Posey, AIA, and Sam Marcum, AIA, who initiated this effort in 2019. Their early work helped bring disaster assistance into focus for Ohio architects, and I am grateful for the time, insight, and leadership they invested in getting this program off the ground.
At the national level, AIA leaders have reinforced just how essential this work can be. AIA National President Ilya Azaroff, FAIA, has noted that disasters are profoundly human events. They do not discriminate by geography, income, or background. In the aftermath, everyone is reduced to the same fundamental need for safety, shelter, and dignity. It is in those moments, he observes, that architects truly understand the extraordinary leadership they can provide: helping communities recover, adapt, and prepare for what comes next.
That perspective resonates deeply with my goals for this role. In addition to strengthening AIA Ohio’s capacity to respond when disasters occur, I hope to broaden the conversation toward resilience, how thoughtful design, codes, and planning can reduce risk before disaster strikes. As Azaroff has shared from global examples, places like Nepal and Japan invest heavily in mitigation not because it is easy or inexpensive, but because the value of human life demands it. Those lessons challenge us to think beyond response and toward long-term responsibility.
I recently completed the Safety Assessment Program (SAP) training through the California Office of Emergency Services, which allows me to deploy into the field if needed and better understand the realities of post-disaster assessment work. I am currently reconnecting with emergency management agencies across Ohio’s 88 counties, as well as partners such as OBOA, FEMA, and AIA National, while also reaching out to Ohio’s SAP-trained architects to help rebuild and strengthen our statewide network.
This challenging work cannot be done alone, and I invite AIA Ohio members who are interested in disaster response, preparedness, mitigation, or resilience to join me in shaping the next chapter of this effort. Whether your interest lies in field assessment, training, advocacy, or helping communities design buildings that can better withstand disruption today and tomorrow, there is a meaningful role to play.
I am optimistic about what lies ahead and look forward to working together to ensure that AIA Ohio continues to serve our communities when they need us most.