ICC eNews

Code Council Awards Honor Contributions to Safety, Fire Prevention,
Service and Education

Jay Elbettar Receives Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award


	Jay Elbettar (center), Building Director for the City of Newport Beach, California, was presented the Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award by ICC Board member and Awards Committee Chair John LaTorra (left) and Board Immediate Past President Ron Lynn (right) during the 2010 ICC Annual Conference in Charlotte.

Jay Elbettar, Building Director for the City of Newport Beach, California, was presented the Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award at the 2010 ICC Annual Conference in Charlotte. The Code Official of the Year Award is presented to an individual whose contribution to the code enforcement profession is meritorious. The individual must demonstrate professional abilities and be recognized as an example for all members of the code enforcement profession.

Elbettar was among the first in the state of California to become a Certified Accessibility Specialist. He is a Certified Building Official, a LEED Accredited Professional and a Certified Green Building Professional, and worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the construction of a space shuttle complex. Elbettar serves on the Code Council Board for International Professional Standards and is a Past President of the California Building Officials chapter.

"When individuals buy a home, they can't see the foundation, nor can they see the plumbing or electrical or the nails in the walls," Elbettar told luncheon attendees. "They rely on all of us to make sure they are buying a safe building. They expect to live, work and play in their built environment safely because of all of you.

"Your work is in prevention and is therefore immeasurable," Elbettar continued. "You do it every day and mostly without appreciation. Nevertheless, let's remind ourselves of how much we impact peoples' lives, and how many we save in building safety. So thank you very much for this honor, but also pat yourself on the back for what you do every day."

The Code Official of the Year Award was renamed in honor of retired code official and engineer Gerald H. Jones, who was instrumental in creating the Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) at the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), chairing both the NIBS and BSSC Boards, and serving on the NIBS Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council. Jones served for many years as the Building Codes Administrator of Kansas City, Missouri, and at Overland Park, Kansas.

"Over 40-plus years in this profession, I was privileged to work with many giants," Jones told attendees. "You've heard many of their names before, and I am truly humbled and honored to be included."

DeCrane Presented ICC Fire Service Award


	Cleveland Fire Department Battalion Chief and International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) advocate Sean DeCrane (center) received the International Code Council Fire Service Award from ICC Board member and Awards Committee Chair John LaTorra (left) and Board Immediate Past President Ron Lynn (right) during the 2010 ICC Annual Conference in Charlotte.

Cleveland Fire Department Battalion Chief and International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) advocate Sean DeCrane was the recipient of the International Code Council Fire Service Award during Wednesday's Awards Luncheon at the 2010 ICC Annual Conference in Charlotte. The Fire Service Award is bestowed to an individual for service, professional abilities and leadership that are exemplary in the development of the International Fire Code, and one who has served as an example to all fire prevention and fire protection professionals.

DeCrane was recognized for his efforts to increase the awareness and importance of codes to firefighter safety, and for his leadership of Vision 20/20 Strategy Five—an effort to develop a national strategic agenda for fire loss focused on firefighter involvement in code development.

"I am just a small part of the group that is involved here, and I think everyone in this room does not get involved in this arena to receive an award," DeCrane told attendees. "But to be honored by your peers and colleagues truly is an honor."

DeCrane represents the IAFF at the national level focusing on a number of code-related subjects, and has written numerous published articles and teaches classes about fire and building codes as they relate to firefighter safety.

"We have our day jobs that we go through every day, and yet we find time—many times it's our own time and our own expenses—to be here, to be involved, to ensure that our members are protected, not just the firefighters that enter the buildings, but the public that we serve, so they can work and live in a safe environment," DeCrane continued. "I look forward to and I cherish the relationships we have established over the last six or seven years—relationships with the building code officials, relationships with my fellow fire service representatives, and also the relationships with the industry representatives that are working so hard. Thank you."

Fort Smith, Arkansas, Recognized for Meritorious Service


	The Code Council Community Service Award was presented to the Fort Smith, Arkansas, Development Services Department to Fort Smith Director Wally Bailey (second from right) by ICC Board member and Awards Committee Chair John LaTorra (left) and Board Immediate Past President Ron Lynn (right) during the 2010 Annual Conference in Charlotte.

The Code Council Community Service Award, which recognizes meritorious service that promotes public health, safety and welfare above and beyond normal expectations, was presented to the Fort Smith, Arkansas, Development Services Department during Wednesday's Awards Luncheon at the 2010 Annual Conference in Charlotte.

Fort Smith was honored for its efforts to educate citizens about the importance of building safety and developing partnerships through a Good Neighbors program to assist property owners. The department works with the local homebuilders association to distribute brochures and information about building, tornado and fire safety, developed a public service video to highlight common code violations, and provides public education through the city's Citizens Academy. This year, the department's Good Neighbors program brought 350 young people to the city to upgrade 30 properties.

Fort Smith Director Wally Bailey said the success of the programs is due to the efforts of the 30 staff members of the Development Services Department. "These individuals find ways to get their jobs done while not only being good citizens of Fort Smith, but being good citizens around the world," Bailey said. "I hope you would agree with me and our mayor, Mayor Ray Baker, who likes to say, 'These individuals make life worth living in Fort Smith, Arkansas.'"

Koffel Associates Honored for Service


	William E. Koffel (center), President of Koffel Associates, recieved the Code Council Affiliate Award from ICC Board member and Awards Committee Chair John LaTorra (left) and Board Immediate Past President Ron Lynn (right) during the 2010 ICC Annual Conference in Charlotte.

William E. Koffel, President of Koffel Associates, was the recipient of the Code Council Affiliate Award, which is given in honor of John Fies, Wilbur H. Lind and Alton Riddick, who demonstrated unselfish service to the original model code organizations. Koffel has been active in the Council's code development process and is known for his role in developing drafts of the International Building Code and International Fire Code. Koffel, a fire protection engineer who started his own firm 25 years ago, is a Past President and Fellow of the Society of Fire Prevention Engineers and is recognized globally in the field of fire protection.

"I'm truly humbled to be listed with the previous recipients of this award, many of which, for 30 years now, I've been watching and learning from," Koffel said. "I see participation in the code development process as an education activity. I've learned a lot from it, and I think that enables us to better serve our clients; and secondly, hopefully, we're providing information to you, the voting members, so that you can make better informed decisions when you cast your votes on the various code changes before you."

Gibson Named Educator of the Year


	The Educator of the Year Award was presented to John Gibson (center), a full-time instructor and technical advisor for the Code Council, by ICC Board member and Awards Committee Chair John LaTorra (left) and Board Immediate Past President Ron Lynn (right) during the 2010 ICC Annual Conference in Charlotte.

The Educator of the Year Award was presented to John Gibson, a full-time instructor and technical advisor for the Code Council, an online instructor for Red Rocks Community College, and a teacher at the United States Fire Administration's National Fire Academy. Gibson, who holds 40 professional certifications, previously was the Director of the Department of Permits and Inspections for Frederick County, Maryland, and is an honorary member of the Code Council and the Maryland Building Officials Association. The Educator of the Year Award is given in memory of Brent Snyder.

"Everyone who has been an instructor can probably identify with where I'm coming from," Gibson told attendees. "Number one, you've got a semi-captive audience. Number two, you're given a microphone. And then what happens? You're told you only have a minute—I can't tell one of my good stories in a minute, as most of you know!"

Gibson thanked the multiple facets of his "ICC Family" for their support that leads to the development of education sessions, as well as the code officials who attend. In conclusion, he offered his favorite Irish toast: "To us, may the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends gathered below never fall out."