Building Safety Month kicks off in Foley

By Jessica Vaughn jessica@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 5/5/17

The All Hazards Preparedness Expo was held at the Foley Civic Center on May 3, with a large focus on hurricanes and tornadoes in awareness of the fast approaching hurricane season. Booths were set up …

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Building Safety Month kicks off in Foley

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The All Hazards Preparedness Expo was held at the Foley Civic Center on May 3, with a large focus on hurricanes and tornadoes in awareness of the fast approaching hurricane season. Booths were set up throughout the center during the expo, showcasing everything from home improvement, accident prevention, insurance for storm damage, and volunteer work in the community during this dangerous time of year.

Visitors were able to get in for free and visit all the booths, where they were offered advice, brochures and tips to prepare for a disaster.

Also at the expo were LiveWire on Wheels, who put on a demonstration about the safety of handling- or not handling and leaving it to the experts- of electrical wires. We all know how easily it is for electrical poles to be knocked down or go out, even outside of storm season, and LiveWire on Wheels put on an in depth and entertaining demonstration showcasing what to do in case of a power outage or if you find yourself dealing with a downed power line.

The All Hazards Preparedness Expo was put on in honor of Building Safety Month, which kicked off on May 1.

Prior to the expo on May 3, a moment was taken before the May 1 Foley council to award Miriam Boutwell, the city’s planner and building official, for the work that she and her team put into the community.

Ralph Hellmich presented the award as Mayor John Konair was unable to attend. Hellmich read to the audience the proclamation for Building Safety Month before presenting Boutwell with the award.

“Whereas Building Safety Month is to remind us about the pivotal role of our community’s largely unknown guardians of public safety: our local officials who assure us of safe, efficient and livable buildings that are essential to keep America great, and whereas each year in observance of Building Safety Month, Americans are asked to consider that commitment to improve building safety and economic investment at home and in the community, to acknowledge the essential service provided to all of us by local state building departments, such as fire prevention, bureaus, and federal agencies in protecting lives and property.

“Now therefore, Mayor John Konair of Foley, Alabama, has hereby proclaimed the month of May 2017 as the Building Safety Month. Accordingly, John encourages our citizens to join with their communities and participate in Building Safety Month activities.”

“Building Safety Month is celebrated by jurisdictions worldwide during the month of May, and strives to make individuals, families, and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures,” the ICC, the founders of Building Safety Month, state.

After receiving her award, Boutwell took a moment to personally thank her coworkers.

“I just want to brag, I’m always bragging on our people in the Community Development Department and the fire department, and they are just putting in so much work,” she said.

The All Hazards Preparedness Expo tied into Building Safety Month, and the city encourages its citizens to celebrate the month and to take a moment to appreciate and encourage safety in the community.

Expo, Foley Civic Center, All Hazards