Throughout the month of May, the City of Springfield will participate in the 43rd annual Building Safety Month, a worldwide campaign presented by the International Code Council, its members, and partners to promote building safety. This year’s campaign, “It Starts with YOU”, raises awareness about the role we all play in ensuring safety in the spaces in which we live, work, and learn. The campaign also makes the connection between building codes and our personal safety, as well as the important work done by building safety professionals in our communities.

This year’s campaign addresses how building safety impacts everyone on a personal, local, and global level.

  • Week One: Building Safety Starts at Home, May 1–7, highlights how building safety impacts our everyday life as family members, friends, and individuals at home.
  • Week Two: Building Safety Professionals and You, May 8-14, shares a glimpse into the world of building safety professionals by outlining different roles and their responsibilities.
  • Week Three: Prepare Your Community, May 15-21, focuses on how to protect not just your home, but your community at large, from disaster.
  • Week Four: Advocate for Your Community, May 22-28, provides the tips and tools needed to advocate for building safety in your community.
  • Week Five: Solving Challenges Together, May 29-31, elevates Building Safety Month to a global scale by addressing how we can work together internationally to tackle the world’s most important issues.

“The City’s Building Program staff provide an important function to maintaining our community’s safety and well-being. They have a wealth of knowledge to answer building safety code questions,” said Springfield’s Building Official Chris Carpenter.

Learn more about Building Safety Month at www.buildingsafetymonth.org.

Learn more about the City’s Building Program at https://springfield-or.gov/city/development-public-works/building-inspections-safety/.

What: Building Safety awareness campaign

Who: Residents, business owners and employees, greater community members

When: The month of May

Where: Online at https://springfield-or.gov/city/development-public-works/building-inspections-safety/ and on the City’s social media channels

Additional Information: Contact Plans Examiner II Michele Linbarger at 541.736.1029 or mlinbarger@springfield-or.gov

 

About the City of Springfield’s Building Program

The City of Springfield’s Building Program staff play an active daily role in maintaining safety for all places community members visit, play, and live in Springfield. They are an integrated member of the greater development and safety professions that touch all aspects of a built environment.

They work with others in the City’s Development and Public Works Department for clean water, sanitary functions, and storm water protections. They also work with Fire to ensure all buildings are constructed meeting the current codes and standards for a safe building. They work on behalf of the disabled to ensure buildings are accessible and safe for those with mobility, hearing, and sight impairments. They ensure all new or changed buildings can withstand environmental impact, like flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes.  And they work with energy efficiency laws to ensure that places community members visit and live in are comfortable and ventilated for safe occupancy and lower our risk to cold and hot temperatures.

What they do is important work, and hopefully this will enable a better conversation with the community. Perhaps even plant the seed for those looking for a career that pays well, is stable and in high demand that also protects their family, friends, and neighbors.