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National Safety Group Calls for Federal Efforts to Better Protect Communities from Windstorms

There are clear opportunities for the federal government to support research into making homes and businesses safer from violent windstorms and to remove barriers to developing hazard resistant construction, according to testimony given tothe Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction by a representative of the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

The hearing was held to better understand severe storms, their impact on communities and what the nation can do to improve predictions and lessen the damage they leave behind.

“The main obstacles to widespread implementation of windstorm mitigation techniques in new and existing structures relate directly to issues of complacency, education, research and cost,” said Dr. Timothy Reinhold, IBHS vice president of engineering.

The lack of data and research on the benefits of mitigation and strong building codes also poses a barrier to implementing safer building practices. According to Dr. Reinhold’s testimony:

  • A majority of local communities either have no code or have adopted the latest model building codes with local amendments that weaken their provisions.
  • While there is more widespread adoption of model building codes and standards for commercial properties, there are still many local jurisdictions where code adoption is nonexistent or woefully out of date.
  • A lack of uniform and strong enforcement, even in communities that have adopted the latest standards, means building performance is less predictable and the levels of risk vary dramatically from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

He also identified the need for better builder and contractor education on code requirements and how to build stronger, disaster resistant homes and businesses.

Dr. Reinhold said IBHS has been collecting and analyzing data from a wide variety of sources, seeking insight into the merits of stronger building codes and mitigation efforts. The organization uses the results of this research to help validate and refine its public awareness messages.

“We understand how expensive it can be to properly retrofit an existing home, and seek to create a demand for disaster resistance in new construction that will exceed the desire for carpet and appliance upgrades,” he said.

He cited benefit-cost studies that demonstrate the positive ratio of disaster-resistant technologies, including one that showed a $4-$7 cost savings for every dollar spent on additional protection required by a proposed wind resistant construction code.

Dr. Reinhold said the federal government could initiate a number of incentives to encourage states to adopt and enforce statewide building codes without local amendments that weaken the minimum requirements. FEMA could use code adoption and enforcement as criteria for providing additional pre- and post-disaster mitigation funds to states. He also suggested that federal mortgage agencies could provide lower interest rates or lower fees for mortgages on properties built to the latest standards.

He added federal agency support for wind field analyses could help better communicate to the public the nature of modeled winds as well as the actual experience after severe storms.

Dr. Reinhold said IBHS is interested in partnering with federal agencies to conduct benefit-cost studies for building codes and natural hazard mitigation measures. He also said appropriation of new funds in fiscal year 2006 and beyond to support the National Windstorm Hazard Reduction Program will further the goal of making communities safer from coast to coast.

“Buildings that survive windstorms unscathed are a benefit to their communities,” said Dr. Reinhold. “People can stay in their homes, businesses can remain open and people can continue to go about their lives with minimal disruption. These people are also likely to not be victims, and will not require any government assistance to recover from a disaster since their impact would be minimized.”

IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.

Mark A. Robison of Brotherhood Mutual Elected 2005-2006 IASA President

During the business luncheon of the Insurance Accounting & Systems Association (IASA) held on June 6 in Anaheim, CA at the 2005 IASA Annual Educational Conference & Business Show association members voted to elect Mark A. Robison as president for the fiscal year that will begin on July 1, 2005. Robison has risen through the ranks of IASA, holding various management team, leadership and volunteer positions within the association during his many years of volunteer leadership.

“We are very fortunate to have someone with the industry experience and business acumen that Mark Robison possesses,” said Joe Pomilia, executive director of IASA. “He will provide outstanding leadership this coming year, which will serve the IASA membership and industry very well. Robison is the perfect individual to help us maximize on the momentum that we have built over the past few years, and move IASA to even greater heights.”

Robison’s career and professional experience make him a terrific representative of the IASA membership that is comprised mainly of insurance financial and technology professionals. Currently, Robison is the vice president and treasurer of Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, a niche regional property/casualty insurance company insuring America’s churches and related ministries based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Robison joined Brotherhood Mutual in January of 1994.

Prior to joining Brotherhood Mutual, he worked as a manager for Ernst & Young, LLP serving insurance clients, and also working within the firm’s information systems consulting practice. Robison earned a Public Accounting degree from Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), a Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI), and holds the Associate in Insurance Accounting and Finance (AIAF) designation from the Insurance Institute of America.

“It is an honor to be given your trust to lead this great organization for the coming year,” Robison said in his acceptance speech. “I am excited at the opportunity as the organization is poised to experience some of its best times ever.”

Additionally, Robison highlighted some recent issues that have put the insurance industry in the news. Robison discussed “fraud and deception by the sellers of our policies resulting in more regulations and disclosures; dishonesty and so-called ‘creative accounting’ by the carriers of our policies resulting in increased use of internal controls such as Sarbanes-Oxley; financial scandals and practices in the mutual fund industry committed by the fiduciaries of our money resulting in distrust; and, security lapses by the protectors of our data resulting in personal data being stolen by those engaged in identity theft.”

“These issues have created an increased demand for integrity and honesty in an industry built on trust and promises,” Robison concluded. “IASA is working to satisfy the extensive educational demands of the industry, and we are revolutionizing educational opportunities so that you, our customers, can stay abreast, prepared, and equipped.”

For more information, contact Jennifer Overhulse-King, St. Nick Media Services at jen@stnickmedia.com or call (859) 803-6597.

Posted: Monday, October 17, 2005 12:00:00 AM. Modified: Monday, October 17, 2005 3:19:48 PM.

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