CEOSF Officer Safety Newsletter

  FALL 2024 - We are honored and thrilled to see the growing support for officer safety and the Foundation across the country! Four years ago officer safety was a topic that was black listed and shunned from talking about with management. Now, after building successful partnerships and relationships, we have seen a greater support for officer safety in our profession. A lot of work is still ahead and we can not do this with out each of you - our Regional Reps and volunteers, Angel Donors, Sponsors, and Partners! Lets make this profession safer together! Our Mission Statement: "The Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation exists to promote best practices for the safety of Code Officials across the world; to provide a resource for officials; report incidents; provide up-to-date training and to encourage a high standard of professionalism within our chosen profession."   Welcome Our New Regional Representatives   TIFFANY HALL (Georgia) Tiffany Hall was appointed as the

by Justin Edson, CCEA, COSS Asleep at the wheel or gross negligence? When a vessel crashes into the rocks, who is at fault? The Captain.    As Executives, Managers, and Supervisors we have a responsibility to our team to adapt, improve, listen, and LEAD! Leading is not easy and often thankless. We often face politics, budget constraints, and a variety of personalities under our charge. I often hear of stories regarding "management" and various levels that don't know what the staff in the field face, or don't communicate, or sold out to their bosses for their paycheck (or raise).  I have also heard from many Code Enforcement Officers or Building Inspectors asking "how to go about showing management that there are dangers?" All of this comes down to effective communication. The age-old stubbornness of saying the job is safe and don't ask for anything, needs to be behind us. Sadly I see cases where budget is not the thing holding back the purchase of equip

by Scott Kirshner, M.Ed., COSCI, INCI Anticipation is the prediction of an upcoming stimulus in order to decide on a response in advance; anticipation of a foreseeable stimulus can dramatically reduce response time in that it eliminates decision making during the reaction. Fairbrother, J. T. (2010). Fundamentals of motor behavior. Human Kinetics.      This is an excellent definition of anticipation that covers many vital aspects which can increase one’s safety. Prediction of an upcoming stimulus helps create ‘file folders’ of possible situations that code officials may encounter in the performance of their job duties. Anticipation can help you develop skills to reach a faster decision which leads to a faster response. Considering many violent encounters occur in a time compressed environment, reducing response time is critical. I often stress that life or death can be determined in the time sensitive space between stimulus and response . Reaction time is d