Year: 2025

Catastrophic Washington State Flooding 

Catastrophic Washington State Flooding

State and local authorities in Washington have declared a state of emergency and issued evacuation orders for all residents living in the Skagit Valley’s 100-year floodplain as unprecedented floodwaters from heavy rainfall continue to rise in Washington rivers. Evacuation orders were also issued for people living in Pierce, Snohomish, and Whatcom Counties. Even with drier weather on the way, the National Weather Service has warned that catastrophic flooding is expected to continue over the weekend. State officials anticipate that up to 100,000 people are under evacuation orders. The heavy rainfall also brings the risk of landslides to the region.

The International Code Council offers its support to all those affected by this tragic event. We are actively engaged and working with our Washington chapters and with local officials to support response and recovery efforts.

The Code Council and the Association of State Floodplain Managers support post-disaster utilization of building officials and floodplain managers through mutual aid agreements and other disaster aid networks to assist impacted jurisdictions and communities in need.

If you are a building official located in the affected areas and need assistance with post-disaster building safety assessments or building code related issues, please reach out directly to us through your regional Government Relations representative for Washington, Bryan Imai or Karl Fippinger, Vice President Fire and Disaster Mitigation.

Disaster Resources

The International Code Council Delivers the First Cayman Islands Custom Building Code

George Town, Grand Cayman – On December 5, 2025, the International Code Council (ICC) and its Board of Directors presented representatives from the Cayman Islands Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure with the islands’ first custom building code.

While the Ministry has adopted previous versions of the International Codes® (I-Codes®), the Cayman Islands Building Code is the first to be published under its name, signifying the islands’ ownership of the code.

The new code is based on the 2021 International Building Code® and is designed to align with modern global standards while accommodating local needs. It is anticipated that the code will be officially adopted in 2026. The Cayman Islands will also be adopting the 2021 versions of the International Residential Code®, International Mechanical Code®, International Plumbing Code® and the International Fuel Gas Code®.  

The first printed copy of the Cayman Islands Building Code was presented to Hon. Johany S. “Jay” Ebanks, Minister of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure, by ICC Board of Directors President, Mike Boso.  

This building code is a result of the long-standing, collaborative relationship between the ICC and the Cayman Islands and marks the culmination of more than three decades of efforts to strengthen building safety and resiliency across the islands.

“We are proud to support the Cayman Islands and deeply value the collaboration that made this advancement possible,” said Boso. “It was an honor for our Board and leadership team to meet with the Ministry and to participate in the presentation of the first branded Cayman Islands Building Code. We look forward to continuing our work together to strengthen codes, enhance capacity, and ensure safe, sustainable communities for generations to come.”

“This first branded Cayman Islands Building Code represents a significant step forward for our islands,” Minister Ebanks said. “It reflects years of collaboration, technical work and a shared commitment to building a safe and strong Cayman Islands. We are grateful to the ICC for its continued guidance as we prepare our islands for the future.”

ICC will continue to work alongside the Cayman Islands Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure to assist with training, implementation, integration and ongoing development of the code.

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About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

Fire and Disaster Mitigation – Advocacy

Information & Advocacy

The International Code Council's (ICC) Fire and Disaster Mitigation (FDM) team has compiled resources to assist code officials, fire service professionals and community stakeholders in informed decision‑making, professional collaboration and effective implementation of strategies that strengthen resilience across the built environment.

This page includes information on ICC's Fire Service Membership Council, broader community engagement opportunities, key informational documents on emerging issues and a selection of reputable stakeholder organizations.

Find our more about or Stakeholder Organizations.

Fire Service Membership Council

The Fire Service Membership Council (FSMC) is a forum for concerns and issues that are of particular interest to the fire service. The FSMC facilitates the engagement of ICC members and stakeholders in the discussion and activities of interest to the fire service within the built environment. Members are encouraged to participate in ICC’s code development process, and to advise ICC on programs and policies, legislative matters, code adoption issues and such other matters as the FSMC deems appropriate. The FSMC is led by a Governing Committee comprised of fire officials from across the country, who guide the direction and activities of the FSMC.

Membership Qualifications

Membership in the FSMC is open to any individual who wishes to affiliate with the Fire Service Membership Council and is a member of ICC, an ICC Governmental Member Voting Representative, or employed by a jurisdiction or corporate member of ICC or a member in good standing of a closely aligned organization as approved by the ICC Board of Directors.

Join the FSMC

To join the FSMC, ICC members may access their myICC account and visit the FSMC site on ICC’s Member Community to sign up. Interested stakeholders or any general questions about the FSMC may be directed to Fire and Disaster Mitigation Program Manager Christine Reed. FSMC meeting information and general updates can be found on the ICC Member Community.

FSMC Governing Committee Members

Timothy Diehl, Howard County, MD; (IAFC: E); FSMC Chair
Doug Nelson, Bismarck, ND; (NASFM); FSMC Vice Chair
Bryan Adams, Pleasant Valley, OH
Ted Black, State of UT (NASFM)
Justin Sherwood, Bemidji, MN; (IAFC: GL)
Darcy Davidson, Carlsbad, CA
Michael Desrochers, State of VT
William Hyde, Rogers, AR (IAFC:SW)
Edward Kaminski, Clark County, NV
Kevin Lefebrve, Nisku, AB Canada (IAFC:C)
Jonathan Lund, Des Moines, IA; (IAFC:MV)
Larry Medina, State of OR (IAFC:W)
Kelly Nicolello, Fort Worth, TX
Brandon Sullivan, Colorado Springs, CO
Brendan O'Sullivan, Durham, NH (IAFC:NE)
Jon Davine, Stow, MA (NASFM)
Craig Landolt, Atlanta, GA (NASFM)

Sean Toomey, Concord, NH; ICC BOD Liaison
Karl Fippinger, Washington, DC; FSMC Staff Liaison
Christine Reed, Brea, CA; FSMC Staff Liaison

FSMC Governing Committee Meeting Schedule

The FSMC Governing Committee meets monthly and is open to all FSMC members and interested parties.

Virtual meetings take place on the third Thursday of each month at 1:30 pm ET (excluding in-person meetings). Meeting information, including the virtual meeting link, is listed in the Events section of the ICC Member Community.

Two in-person meetings are held annually in conjunction with the ICC Leadership Week in April and the ICC Annual Conference in October. These meetings are also open to all, and the meeting dates are listed on each event schedule.

Member Community

ICC's state-of-the-art Member Community is a free exclusive benefit offered only to ICC members. It's a self-service tool where building safety professionals can connect and network with other members, streamline communication and collaboration, create and share events and more.

The ICC Member Community App is now available on both Apple and Android devices. This powerful new tool puts a community of building safety professionals and a wealth of knowledge right at your fingertips. Learn more and download, here.

For any questions, please email membercommunity@iccsafe.org.

Informational Documents

Ad-Hoc Battery and Energy Storage Systems Committee Report
Read pdf

FSMC Quick Hits – Close Before You Doze
Read pdf

FSMC Technical Topics – Fire Safety on Construction Sites
Read pdf

FSMC Quick Hits – Using Inflatable Spray Booths Indoors
Read pdf

Stakeholder Organizations

International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide and provides leadership to current and future career, volunteer, fire-rescue and EMS chiefs, chief fire officers, company officers and managers of emergency service organizations throughout the international community.

The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) is one of the largest and most influential labor unions in North America and is committed to advancing the rights, safety and future of fire fighters, emergency medical workers and rescue workers across the United States and Canada.

National Volunteer Fire Council logo

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation.

The U.S. Fire Administration supports and strengthens the fire and emergency medical services to prepare for, prevent, mitigate, and respond to all hazards.

Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) educates members of Congress about the needs and challenges of the United States’ fire and emergency services to help them understand how the federal government can support the needs of local first responders.

National Association of State Fire Marshals NASFM’s mission is two-fold: To protect human life, property and the environment from fire, and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of State Fire Marshals’ operations.

The Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) advances fire safety knowledge to address the world’s unresolved fire safety risks and emerging dangers. FSRI shares fire safety insights with everyone to advance UL’s public safety mission of providing safe living and working environments for people everywhere.

The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) was founded in 1901 and is one of the nation's oldest physical science laboratories. Through its focus on buildings and construction, fire testing has been a cornerstone of NIST’s research. Its Disaster & Failure Studies Program assesses building performance in the wake of disasters and failure events.

Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) mission is to define, develop and advance the use of engineering best practices, expand the scientific and technical knowledge base, and educate the global fire safety community, to reduce fire risk

Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is an independent nonprofit scientific research and communications organization supported by property insurers, reinsurers, and affiliated companies. IBHS’s building safety research leads to real-world solutions for home and business owners, helping to create more resilient communities.

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The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. FEMA leverages a tremendous capacity to coordinate within the federal government to make sure America is equipped to prepare for and respond to and recover from disasters.

National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) provides national leadership and expertise in comprehensive emergency management, serves as a vital emergency management information and assistance resource, and advances continuous improvement in emergency management through strategic partnerships, innovative programs and collaborative policy positions.

The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting the "Principles of Emergency Management" and representing those professionals whose goals are saving lives and protecting property and the environment during emergencies and disasters.

The Association of State Floodplain Managers is a 501(c)(3) scientific and educational nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing flood loss in the United States.

Building Safety Month

Building Safety Month is an international campaign held each May to raise awareness about the importance of safe building practices within the built environment. Everyone can play a role in enhancing building safety and reducing fire risks by supporting Building Safety Month initiatives.

The campaign features weekly themes, including one dedicated to practical safety tips for homes. Topics include fire prevention and awareness, smoke alarms and fire sprinklers, water and pool safety, disaster preparedness and electrical hazard awareness, with actionable strategies for each to help increase safer living spaces.

For more information on Building Safety Month and resources for fire safety at home, click here.

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Stay informed with essential industry updates and expert technical insights from the award-winning Building Safety Journal. Explore hundreds of free articles, including Batteries and ESS, Disaster Preparedness and Fire & Wildland Urban Interface-related content.

The Building Safety Journal (BSJ) Weekly is a free weekly newsletter from the International Code Council that compiles the latest news on the building safety and construction sectors, including fire-related news and updates, and is delivered to your inbox on Thursdays. Subscribe, here.

Fire and Disaster Mitigation – Training

Training, Education and Certification

The International Code Council's (ICC) Fire and Disaster Mitigation (FDM) Team is committed to equipping professionals with the latest knowledge and practical skills to prevent, mitigate and respond to disasters effectively.

Below you'll find information on fire service and emergency management educational tracks, certifications and training materials to help you stay current with evolving codes and standards.

Fire Service & Emergency Management Educational Tracks

The International Code Council’s (ICC) Fire & Disaster Mitigation (FDM) Team is developing structured and comprehensive training tracks to support fire and emergency management professionals at every stage of their careers. These tracks will offer clear progression from foundational skills to advanced leadership, ensuring that professionals are equipped to protect communities and implement safety codes effectively.

Plan Review

Essential training for fire plans examiners to review construction documents, identify compliance issues and apply the latest fire and life safety requirements.

Inspections

Foundational training for fire inspectors, focusing on core skills such as code interpretation, field inspections and documentation.

Fire Marshal

Advanced curriculum for fire marshals, including leadership development, program management, community risk reduction strategies and technical expertise.

Disaster Mitigation/ Response

Training for building and fire code officials involved in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

Specialty & Hot Topics

Explore emerging and specialized areas in fire and disaster mitigation. These five tracks are designed to address evolving challenges and technologies.

  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
  • Code Adoption & Legislative Process
  • Fire & Life Safety Systems
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)

Certifications

Why Get Certified?

ICC certifications are a globally-recognized mark of excellence. They validate technical expertise, enhance professional credibility and demonstrate commitment to public safety.

Benefits of Certification

  • Career Advancement: Certifications open doors to promotions, specialized roles and leadership positions.
  • Credibility: Gain recognition from peers, employers and jurisdictions around the world.
  • Community Impact: Certified professionals play a vital role in reducing risk and improving safety in their communities.

CEUs and Renewals

Maintain your ICC credentials with continuing education opportunities. ICC offers a variety of CEU-eligible courses to help you stay current with evolving codes and standards.

Maintain & Renew Credentials

Reciprocal/Transition Certifications

ICC recognizes certifications from other professional organizations, allowing for streamlined transitions and cross-recognition.

Partner Organizations

  • ProBoard (Fire Inspector I and Fire Inspector II)
  • State of California (CA to ICC and ICC to CA)
  • NCPCCI
View Reciprocity Info

Training Materials

Live/Online Training Courses

Participate in expert-led sessions available in both virtual and in-person formats. These courses cover essential topics in fire safety, inspections and emergency response.

View Courses

Self-Guided Study Courses

Learn at your own pace with structured programs designed to help you prepare for certification exams and deepen your understanding of fire codes.

Explore Self-Guided Courses

Study Guides & Materials

Access code-specific references, practice exams and support tools to help you prepare for exams effectively.

Browse Study Materials

Online Learning Subscription

Join ICC code experts every Wednesday for 90-minute ICC Learn Live sessions covering a wide range of code topics.

Live Schedule