CEOSF Updates: Fall 2024

 

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 Representative for Region 8 by the Board of Directors in September 2024. She is a Code Enforcement Supervisor in Georgia and a prior Deputy Sheriff. Tiffany has experience in marketing, public information, and drones. She is a Code Official Safety Specialist (COSS).

 

 

 

 Congratulations Jeanette!



 

 Appointed to the Board of Directors

Jeanette has served as a CEOSF Regional Representative since November of 2022. Since she started volunteering, she has represented CEOSF at regional, national, and international conferences. She has also served as the Co-Chair of the Charitable Giving's Committee and the Certification Committee. With her extensive experience and current involvement in Animal Control, she has been instrumental in connecting with Animal Control associations across the country.


 

 

AUGUST 9th - Annual Code Official Safety Day (COSD)

This year, the Foundation official proclaimed August 9th every year as "Code Official Safety Day" to honor those who died doing their job and serving their community. On this day, and every day, the profession focuses on promoting and understanding the importance of risk management. This date will also serve as a memorial date for those Code Officials we have lost over the years. August 9th serves as a symbolic date for CEOSF. This was the date that Code Enforcement Officer Jill Robinson was murdered in 2018.

 


"[Today] Jill was brutally murdered on-duty (shot and set on fire by the property owner). Yet after the horrific tragedy, the City still chose not to provide safety training or protective equipment such as bullet proof vests to give their code officers a chance to survive.

Out of this horrific tragedy came some good, Jill. The Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation donated brand new stab and bullet resistant vests to your entire team. The Foundation continues to honor you and all the other murdered code enforcement officers by donating vests, scholarships and spread awareness about the dangers of our profession.

The Foundation has proclaimed today, August 9th, the day of your tragic passing as Code Official Safety Awareness Day," said CEOSF President Timothy Sun. 

 

MACE Conference - Lake of the Ozarks, MO

Thank you to the Missouri Association of Code Enforcement and their President, Martin Evans, for inviting us to do a full-day training on Officer Safety at their Conference. COSCI Darrell Revier and Regional Representative Jessica Green were in attendance to provide 5 Code Official Safety Specialist training scholarships. MACE provided a brand new body armor donation to one of their members!




REQUEST A VEST DONATIONS

Did you know that the Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation (CEOSF) - Request a Vest Program is the only known national program that donates brand new body armor to Code Officials, Animal Control, and similar roles? The Foundation pays 100% of the cost of new level iiia+ body armor. 

The Charitable Giving's Committee, made up of volunteers, reviews all applications for body armor and prioritizes them based on information shared and crime data for that agency. Applicants need to provide information regarding the agencies inability to pay for the armor themselves.

Thanks to all of our Angel Donor’s who make a generous donation of $8.09 a month and every agency that signs employees up for the Code Official Safety Specialist (COSS) training! These proceeds assist us in buying more armor!

Apply online for the Request a Vest Program: https://www.codeofficersafety.org/request-a-vest

We are excited that to date we have donated a total of 62 body armor vests that cost $46,946. 






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Misperception of Dangers & Armor

Image
by Justin Edson, CCEA, COSS Unfortunately this comes up more than it should. We continue to try to shift the narrative and educate decision makers about the dangers of enforcing codes. We even have some in the profession that might have been fortunate to never face a threat, attempted murder, assault, or be stalked at their home. The reality is that many citizens are not fond of the government telling them what to do on THEIR property. “You need to cut your lawn, paint your house, clean up the junk in the yard, impound your dog, or remove an inoperable vehicle in the driveway.” Oh and you might be cited or taken to court. The majority of the population care about their property and never interact with Code Enforcement. But the ones who have these issues can come into contact with an Inspector or Officer. Of course we can all agree that we want to provide exceptional customer service, provide opportunities to comply, and be the friendly government representative. None of that can prepa
Read more

Rural Code Enforcement: Challenges & Solutions

Image
  by Kirk Palmer, Master Code Officer (GA), COSCI, COSS “I’ll watch out for trouble in front and back sections by aiming my eyeballs in different directions.” Dr. Seuss   Rural code enforcement has its own unique challenges as opposed to code enforcement in urban areas and the suburbs. I’m the Chief Code Enforcement Officer and the only Code Enforcement Officer for my county in North Georgia. The counties that are contiguous to mine, with few exceptions, are the same way. Most of us are in unsworn positions; therefore, we don’t carry firearms in the course of our duties. We are fortunate if we have body armor and non-lethal means of defense such as pepper spray, ASP batons, or Tasers. Most of us don’t have readily available backup, as most jurisdictions have only three to four, sometimes less, Sheriff’s Deputies on duty at a time. A two-way radio is a luxury in some jurisdictions, with cellphones being the only means of communication in the field. So, what are the officer safety chall
Read more

ICC Credential of Learning Achievement - COSS

Image
The International Code Council (ICC) partnered and sponsored CEOSF in May of 2021. Since then, the two organizations have collaborated to promote safety of code officials across the globe. In November 2022, we officially launched the Credential of Learning Achievement (CLA) through ICC. This reinforces the support ICC has for officer safety and the Foundation. Current and future graduates of the COSS training can log into their MyICC account under credentials and take the 1-hour exam for $65. You will need to upload your official COSS certificate prior to taking the exam. Once you pass, you will receive an ICC credential certificate and digital badge to show with pride! Upon completing the training you are permitted to use the COSS acronym on your business cards, emails, etc. Learn more at: https://www.iccsafe.org/professional-development/cla/ COSS Training Options The international Code Official Safety Specialist (COSS) training program started in June 2021. This was a training p
Read more