2023 AIA Safety Assessment Program (SAP) Evaluator Training

An image of rusted metal and rubble in the background, with text in the foreground that says, "2023 AIA Safety Assessment Program (SAP) Evaluator Training"

Intended for licensed architects, engineers, or certified building inspectors, this training certifies attendees as Building Evaluators in the nationally recognized Safety Assessment Program (SAP).

The program is managed by Cal OES with cooperation from professional organizations, including the AIA. It utilizes volunteers and mutual aid resources to provide professional engineers, architects and certified building inspectors to assist local governments in safety evaluation of their built environment in an aftermath of a disaster. SAP is the training standard of the AIA Disaster Assistance Program, which provides leadership, advocacy, and training to architects who are interested in volunteering their professional skills in times of crisis.

This two-day workshop will teach participants to conduct rapid damage assessments of structures affected by earthquakes, wind, and water. Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to consistently and safely assess structures for habitability and will receive a nationally recognized Cal OES registration ID card from the state of California. This training will include a WASafe Building Safety module for those who wish to become WAsafe volunteer emergency workers or renew their enrollment in WAsafe.

Cost

Includes continuing education credit (6.5 AIA LU HSW). All sessions and speakers are subject to change.

$99 AIA Members, SEAW, WSSHE, Gov’t Partners, and AISC Members
$175 Non-Members

Registration has closed.

Materials

Evaluator Field Manuals | ATC 45 | ATC 20 | Participants are responsible for purchasing these texts from ATC. They are not included in the course cost.

Certification Process

After successfully completing AIA Seattle’s SAP training, eligible individuals will be sent an California-issued registration ID card. This nationally recognized certification is often required training for volunteer building safety evaluators nationwide.

This is a 2-day program. Participants must attend the full program in order to receive continuing education credit or a certificate of completion. All registration and credit questions can be directed to Senior Coordinator of Member Engagement, Anthony Collins.

Reduced rate options are available (priority given to AIA members). Please submit the Continuing Education Scholarship / Reduced Rate Request Form via email by Friday, February 10, 5:00pm PT.

Schedule

Tuesday, February 14, 9am-1pm
Wednesday, February 15, 9am-1pm

Detailed schedule forthcoming.

Learning Objectives

Recognize the important role architects and associated building professionals play in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Accurately conduct a post-disaster rapid building assessment and complete appropriate damage assessment forms.
Demonstrate understanding of the Applied Technology Council’s ATC 20 Post-earthquake Safety Evaluation of Buildings and ATC 45 Safety Evaluation of Buildings after Windstorms and Floods damage assessment procedures.
Earn Cal OES certification

Speakers

Behrooz (Ben) Emam is a registered architect, a civil engineer, and a certified facility manager, with over thirty years of experience in architectural and structural engineering, emergency preparedness, and facilities management. He has Masters Degrees in Architecture and Civil Engineering from University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Ben is the principal at Emam Consulting and Educational Services (ECES) and was previously the Manager of Civil & Structural Group at AWS. Before rejoining Amazon for a second time, Ben was the Assistant Vice President and Senior Engineering Manager – Construction Services with Parsons Brinckerhoff.

Ben was a 25-year adjunct faculty member of the University of Washington, Department of Construction Management. He regularly taught classes in Construction and Facilities Management and conducted seminars on seismic preparedness and disaster planning. Ben was also building inspection volunteer after the San Francisco (Loma Prieta), Los Angeles (Northridge), and Seattle (Nisqually) earthquakes, and the recipient of the Seattle AIA 2001 – Community Service Award.

Rachel Minnery, FAIA is an architect working in Infrastructure Risk and Resilience at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Previously, she served as the Senior Director of Resilience, Adaptation, and Disaster Assistance at the American Institute of Architects (AIA), where she developed policy, design guides, and educational resources for the organization’s 95,000 members and the broader building industry.

This live, virtual program is presented by AIA Seattle’s Adaptation & Resilience Committee in partnership with California Office of Emergency Services.