Blogs

APGA Supports Investments in Remote Capabilities for Building and Fire Departments

By Renée Lani posted 05-07-2020 11:06 AM

  
On May 1, APGA joined over 50 organizations and businesses by signing on to letters sent to congressional leadership, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Security Advisor, requesting that federal coronavirus response funding be targeted to assist state and local building and fire prevention departments in continuing their essential functions through virtual solutions.

These entities - including that of code officials who work with APGA members regularly – are considered essential by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and states across the country. However, they face the challenge of employees working remotely without the capability to carry out critical aspects of their work, such as permitting.

With many departments already under resourced and many state and local governments facing severe revenue downturns, APGA, through these letters, expresses support for resources to be directed to building and fire prevention departments that need to continue their essential functions. This investment will also help to mitigate permitting challenges for ongoing and future construction—speeding the restart of the economy and producing lasting reductions in departmental operation costs and timelines.

The content of the letters is very similar, but to see the version sent to Capitol Hill, click here; and the one sent to FEMA and the National Security Advisor, click here.

For questions on this article, please contact Renée Lani of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-0836 or by email at rlani@apga.org.

Permalink