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ICC News

Be a Part of the Profile Campaign

"First Preventers” is a phrase you are hearing and reading more and more as the Code Council ramps up its Code Official Profile Campaign to tell the world how these unsung heroes in countless communities save lives and protect property. Tested in nationwide research, the term “First Preventers” was overwhelmingly perceived as positive, while more common phrases such as “code enforcement” drew mixed responses.

Following the 9/11 tragedy, most Americans came to know who “First Responders” are and why their essential rescue functions deserve more support. The same cannot be said of their bookend group — “First Preventers” — those many unheralded and mostly unknown code officials who head off serious harm by checking and double-checking code compliance.

A First Preventer may go under the title of building inspector, fire chief, fire inspector, building official, code enforcement officer, structural engineer, plan reviewer, electrical inspector, structural safety official, plumbing inspector or simply building safety official. But the labels merely obscure their common mission: to prevent harm by ensuring compliance with building safety codes before a disaster occurs. From hurricanes to tornados, floods, wildfires and earthquakes, building safety codes administered by First Preventers play a major role in saving lives, protecting property and reducing recovery costs often paid for by taxpayer dollars. It is a cliché of modern health that it is far more beneficial and far less costly to prevent disease then to treat it. “An ounce of prevention,” as the old saying goes, “is worth a pound of cure.”

Recently, the Council began dedicating each issue of ICC eNews, its electronic newsletter, to a First Preventer. In the days ahead, the Code Council will launch a new website, FirstPreventers.org that will be dedicated to the Code Official Profile Campaign and to telling the story of First Preventers.

You can participate in the campaign by publicizing it on your Chapter website and in your Chapter newsletter, and talking about it to your community’s residents and governmental officials. Here are some talking points to help you.

“First Preventers” — The Code Official Profile Campaign

“First Preventers” is a phrase you are hearing and reading more and more as the Code Council ramps up its Code Official Profile Campaign to tell the world how these unsung heroes in countless communities save lives and protect property.
Most people know who “First Responders” are, primarily in the context either of 9-11 or their local volunteer fire department. But the same cannot be said of their bookend group: “First Preventers.”
Tested in nationwide research, the term “First Preventers” was overwhelmingly perceived as positive, especially in linkage with First Responders, while more common phrases such as “code enforcement” drew mixed responses.
“First Preventers” may be known as building inspectors, fire chiefs, fire inspectors, structural engineers, plan reviewers, electrical inspectors, plumbing inspectors or simply building safety officials.
“First Preventers” prevent harm by ensuring compliance with building safety codes before a disaster occurs.
“First Preventers” are those many unheralded and mostly unknown code officials who check and double-check code compliance.
From hurricanes to tornados, wildfires and earthquakes, “First Preventers” and building safety codes play a major role in saving lives, protecting property and reducing recovery costs often paid for by taxpayer dollars.
“First Preventers,” as referred to by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and others are an essential part of the public safety equation.
It is time to recognize “First Preventers” for the essential role they play in public safety.

If you have a story about how building safety and fire prevention codes have helped to save lives or property in your community, please share your experience with us.