ICC and the NVFC will work together to improve firefighter safety through building and fire prevention codes |
To further the relationship and their joint efforts, the two Councils signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during the ICC's Annual Conference and Code Hearings in Baltimore in October.
The International Code Council (ICC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) will work together to improve firefighter safety through building and fire prevention codes, cooperative work on joint grant applications, federal legislation, and other partnership opportunities.
"I am pleased that the NVFC and the ICC have been working closely to encourage fire service participation in all stages of the model codes development and on a variety of public safety issues of particular interest to the fire service," said ICC CEO Richard P. Weiland.
The NVFC and ICC have collaborated to submit a Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety Grant application for a program called "Sounding the Alarm," aimed at reducing rural community fire hazards and other potential dangers in residential homes. If awarded, this program will create volunteer teams of firefighters and building officials who visit homes to replace outdated smoke alarms and conduct a home safety inspection focused on building, fire and property maintenance code requirements, and occupant education.
"The two organizations have been working together to advance legislation such as the Community Building Code Administration Grant Act," said Heather Shafer, Executive Director of the NVFC. "We believe that signing the MOU will allow us to better coordinate federal lobbying efforts on other issues of mutual interest."