Episode 67: Tales from Code Enforcement Part 2

A building department is a complex, interconnected entity that constantly evolves. Striking the right balance between managing staff, adhering to procedures and meeting workload demands is essential for efficiency and productivity.    In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, host Beau Hansen speaks with two veterans of the building safety industry from the Orange County Division of Building Safety about running a department, achieving accreditation, hiring talent and leveraging new technology.  Guests on the Show  Tom Allen, Building Official (Retired), Orange County Division of Building Safety Larry Wildermuth, Chief Inspector, Orange County Division of Building Safety Special Projects  Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:  ICC Code Solutions Universal Epic Universe   Orange County Division of Building Safety Orange County Division of Building Safety Achieves IAS Building Department Accreditation  Episodes of the ICC Pulse Podcast feature interviews with leading industry experts discussing a wide range of topics including current events and new technologies. Click here to see our entire archive of past episodes. 

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, host Beau Hansen revisits one of our most popular topics – code enforcement. He sits down with code enforcement professionals to learn about their work, lessons from the field and their participation in the ICC Code Enforcement Credentialing Exam Development Committee to get a behind-the-scenes perspective about their process, goals, value to the industry and more. Guests on the show: Daniela DeBaca, Senior Code Enforcement Officer, City of Santa Rosa Hilda Martinez, STR Code Investigator, Austin Development Services Kerry Simpson, Code Enforcement Manager, Willdan Engineering Links to related and referenced topics in this episode: ICC Pulse Podcast 55: Tales of Code Enforcement ICC Code Enforcement Program Women in Code Enforcement and Development ICC Expert Services  Episodes of the ICC Pulse Podcast feature interviews with leading industry experts discussing a wide range of topics including current events and new technologies. Click here to see our entire archive of past episodes.

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, host Beau Hansen sits down with ICC members and ICC Board Member Ben Breadmore to discuss how they've found success in advancing their careers through connecting, collaborating and sharing knowledge with peers, mentors and experts.     They also discuss the importance of building a personal brand and becoming a thought leader in the building safety industry to not only elevate yourself, but elevate the awareness of building safety.    Guests on the show:   Matt Souza, CBO, Building Official, Town of North Kingstown, RI  Kara Maxwell, Permit Technician, City of Dubuque, IA  James Nixon, Former Bureau Chief of Building Code Administration, City of Lancaster, PA  Ben Breadmore, CMM, ICMA-CM, Town Manager/Chief Building Official, Town of Holden, ME, and ICC Board Member  Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:   ICC Unveils Redesigned cdpACCESS Platform  ICC membership resources  ICC mentor program & Building Safety 2.0  ICC member community app  Episodes of the ICC Pulse Podcast feature interviews with leading industry experts discussing a wide range of topics including current events and new technologies. Click here to see our entire archive of past episodes.  

In early August 2023, Hawaii wildfires destroyed over 2,200 structures, caused an estimated $5.5 billion in damage, and most tragically claimed the lives of over 100 people.  In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we gathered key experts to discuss the Lahaina fire and Hawaii wildfires, emphasizing building safety and codes — how they shaped the disaster, what they reveal about vulnerabilities, what could change going forward, and more.  Guests on the show:  Derek Alkonis, Senior Research Program Manager, Fire Safety Research Institute   Dori Booth, State Fire Marshal, State of Hawaii  Ka`āina Hull, Director of Planning, County of Kauai   Justice Jones, Fire and Disaster Mitigation Program Manager, ICC  Elizabeth Pickett, Co-Executive Director, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization  Links to related and/or referenced topics in this episode:   ICC Fire and Disaster Mitigation webpage  2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC)  Information on FEMA's post-disaster recovery resources for code officials  Donate Funds – Maui City Council  Fire Safety Research Institute  Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization | Protect Hawaiʻi 

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we explore building science in the International Residential Code® and the need for collaboration between builders and code officials – emphasizing the importance of smarter building practices.   Host Beau Hanson sits down with home builder Matt Risinger, host of the The Build Show and founding partner of Risinger Build, who discusses how evolving codes, construction and architectural trends impact the sustainability and resiliency of the industry.   Guests on the show:    Matt Risinger, Founding Partner of Risinger Build  Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:    Learn more about the different career options within the building safety industry   View the International Code Council's International Codes®  Catch up on The Build Show content  Learn more about The Build Show Network  Learn more about Glenn Mathewson's BuildingCodeCollege.com  

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we build on our previous episode, How to Participate in the Code Development Process, by diving deeper into real-world experiences from those who've actively contributed to shaping the codes we use today.   Featuring familiar voices from the Code Council's code development process, our expert guests share personal stories from their time working in the code development cycles, offering valuable insights into how code updates and proposals come to life. They also discuss effective ways to get involved in the process, the power of collaboration and offer practical advice for anyone looking to take their first steps into the code development world.  Get involved in the Code Council's 2025 Committee Action Hearings, here.  Guests on the show:   Michael O'Brian, Fire Chief for the Brighton Area Fire Authority in Michigan  Jeffrey M. Shapiro, P.E., FSFPE, President of International Code Consultants, Executive Director of the Texas Fire Protection Association and works with Lake Travis Fire Rescue.  John Terry, Retired, Assistant Director of Codes and Standards, State of New Jersey  Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:   Learn more and register for the 2025 Committee Action Hearings.  Learn more about Code Council's code development process.  Read about the benefits of participating in the code development process.   Learn about the current code development cycle.   View the Code Council's codes and standards.   

Season 7 of the ICC Pulse Podcast is here, and to kick things off we're exploring the ins and outs of the International Code Council's code development process – just in time for the 2025 Committee Action Hearings (April 27 - May 6, 2025)! Learn what the process entails, how it shapes the building safety codes we rely on and discover how you can get directly involved.   Our expert guests, including our very own Russ Manning and Beth Tubbs from the Code Council's Technical Services team, discuss the structure of a typical code cycle, where to access proposed code changes and why your participation in this process is so important. Guests on the show:   Russ Manning, PhD, LEED AP, CRL, CEFP, Senior Vice President (SVP), Technical Services, International Code Council  Beth Tubbs, PE, FSFPE, Vice President of Codes, Technical Services, International Code Council  Jeffrey M. Shapiro, P.E., FSFPE, President of International Code Consultants, Executive Director of the Texas Fire Protection Association and works with Lake Travis Fire Rescue  John Terry, Retired, Assistant Director of Codes and Standards, State of New Jersey Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:   Learn more and register for the 2025 Committee Action Hearings.   Learn more about Code Council's code development process.  Read about the benefits of participating in the code development process.   Learn about the current code development cycle.   View the Code Council's codes and standards.  

In the final episode of Season 6 of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we discuss the Master Code Professional (MCP) credential offered by the International Code Council, explaining its criteria, significance and the professional growth opportunities it provides.  The episode features insights from industry professionals, personal stories of achieving MCP status and discussions on the career advancements and networking benefits that come with this designation.   Guests on the show:  Autumn Saylor, ICE-CCP, Director, ICC Credentialing, International Code Council   Valarie Evans, Building Official  Lucas Pump, Building Inspector  Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:  Learn more about the Master Code Professional Designation  View more of the Code Council's credentialing resources  Episodes of the ICC Pulse Podcast feature interviews with leading industry experts discussing a wide range of topics including current events and new technologies. Click here to see our entire archive of past episodes.  

In this bonus 30th anniversary episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we sat down with three influential leaders in the building safety industry to explore the history of the Code Council, advice for growth and success in the industry and the evolving landscape of building safety.  Recorded live at the 2024 International Code Council Annual Conference in Long Beach, CA, this episode features insights from industry professionals who have shaped the building safety industry in the past, are driving impactful initiatives in the present day and whose work will help define the industry's future.    Guests on the show:   Gerry Jones, retired code official and engineer with over 40 years of dedication to the building safety industry  Pete Roque, National Director of Code Enforcement at 4Leaf, Inc.  Serena Locke, Permit Technician at Jackson County, Oregon  Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:   View the Code Council's history timeline.  Watch a video about the Code Council's history.  Learn more about Code Council certifications.   Episodes of the ICC Pulse Podcast feature interviews with leading industry experts discussing a wide range of topics including current events and new technologies. Click here to see our entire archive of past episodes.   

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we highlight American Plumber Stories, a docuseries featuring plumbers across the nation who share their passion, career beginnings, advice for future plumbers and the rewards of their trade.   Listeners will enjoy the personal history of our host, Beau Hansen's six-generation plumbing family, the impact of American Plumber Stories in reshaping the plumbing industry, a preview of the remaining Season 5 episodes (sponsored by the International Code Council), and behind-the-scenes insights from international recordings.    Guests on the show:  Spencer Brown, Director of Sales Pfister Faucets, project lead of American Plumber Stories   Tom Roberts, Director of PMG Global, International Code Council  Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:  Visit the Code Council's PMG microsite to access valuable industry resources.  Watch episodes of American Plumber Stories  Learn more about Pfister Faucets and American Plumber Stories  Read more about the history of American Plumber Stories