AIA Damage Assessments Continue
AIA Members in Oklahoma are continuing to help in the disaster recovery efforts by providing free damage assessments to those affected by the May 19, 20 and 31st tornadoes. In the Fall of 2012, AIA Central Oklahoma and AIA Eastern Oklahoma took the lead in setting up an Oklahoma Disaster Committee in an effort to be prepared should a major disaster hit our state. We were not expecting to have to put that plan to use so quickly but after tornadoes hit Edmond, Shawnee, Little Axe, Carney, Moore, Oklahoma City and El Reno this spring, we jumped to action.
Since June 5th, AIA Oklahoma, AIA Central Oklahoma and AIA Eastern Oklahoma have been working together to provide disaster assessments to homeowners in the affected areas free of charge. These assessments are provided by Cal-EMA trained individuals and help to give the homeowner peace of mind. Many homeowners that request this service want reassurance that their home is safe to live in. Homeowners can call Karen Hicks at AIA Oklahoma at 810-8809 to schedule an assessment. AIA will be providing these assessments through the end of June.
We have completed nearly 100 assessments so far and still have calls coming in, which means we need more volunteers. Each team consists of two Cal-EMA trained architects or engineers and a third person who is responsible for the paperwork and talking to the homeowner. We are in need of Cal-EMA trained individuals and untrained individuals to participate in the assessments. We schedule assessments from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day. We are scheduling for the week of June 24th right now and need volunteers for June 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28. If you are willing to assist, please call Melissa at 948-7174 or email aiacoc@cox.net.
Homeowners are very appreciative of the service we are providing and have a tremendous amount of respect for architects. It’s a great way to give back to your community and to help those who have been through a very difficult ordeal.
Sincerely,
Melissa Hunt, Lindsey Ellerbach and Jan Loftis
