The Washington, D.C.-based American Institute of Architects (AIA) is praising Congressional passage in October of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA), which paves the way for communities to better utilize architects during disaster recovery efforts. (Read the act here.)
“Architects understand all aspects of the buildings that make up our communities,” says 2018 AIA President Carl Elefante, FAIA. “After a disaster strikes, architects play a critical role conducting building-safety assessments, which help people to return to their homes and businesses to reopen their doors more quickly. This legislation is critical as it allows architects to improve the quality of building-safety assessments and enhance the resiliency of our communities.”
Provisions of DRRA will require the Washington-based Federal Emergency Management Agency, architects and engineers to develop standardized best practices for building-safety assessments that focus on a building’s structural integrity and livability post disaster. Additionally, the legislation ensures local and state officials understand the role of architect volunteers, who are vital resources to the recovery of communities.
Since 1972, AIA and its thousands of architect volunteers nationwide have been helping communities recover from disasters through the AIA Disaster Assistance Program, bit.ly/2Jj1dBV. As part of the program, trained architects assist local and state officials in conducting building-safety assessments.
DRRA is a component of the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization, which was passed by the U.S. Senate Oct. 3 and House of Representatives the prior week. The legislation is now subject to the approval of the President of the United States.
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