Des Moines, Iowa –The Iowa Fire Marshal Division has partnered with the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to form a new team to ensure structures are safe after being hit by severe weather, and now they’re fine tuning the details.
The Iowa Building Safety Assessment and Failure Evaluation Team or “B-SAFE Team” was formed in 2014 by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s State Fire Marshal Division, who will also manage the team.
The B-SAFE Team is comprised of state employees, volunteer engineers and architects from various professional organizations, including:
- American Institute of Architects – Iowa Chapter
- Iowa Engineering Society/ American Council of Engineering Companies
- Structural Engineers Association of Iowa
- Iowa Association of Building Officials
The team will provide building inspections to ensure structures are safe for occupancy following large-scale disasters, such as tornadoes or floods. The team will also provide any technical resources to local communities regarding building inspections and building safety during times of disaster and also during the recovery and rebuilding processes.
The B-SAFE Team has been designated as a state disaster specialty team, which allows communities to utilize this team as a state resource in times of disaster by contacting their county emergency manager.
Officials say this partnership showcases a unique effort of the private sector aiding the public sector in times of disaster.
