CEOSF Updates: Winter 2025

WINTER 2025 - Happy New Year friends! As we kick 2025 off with a great start, the Foundation is excited to share what has been going on this quarter. We gained new Regional Reps, sponsors, partners, and donors. We were also excited to give out our annual international awards in November. 2025 will bring some new offerings from the Foundation and we hope to build even more relationships!

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

 

 CHRIS CAPRAUN (Region 8)

Chris was appointed by the Board of Directors in November and is a Code Enforcement Officer in South Carolina. He is a Code Official Safety Specialist and has earned his ICC Zoning and Property Maintenance certifications. Chris has joined our Charitable Giving's Committee.




New Foundation Sponsor

Join us in thanking SagesGov for becoming a Bronze Level sponsor of the Foundation! We are grateful for these sponsors for supporting our mission in promoting safety in our profession. 
 
SagesGov was developed by a team of passionate entrepreneurs working closely with public sector officials on their daily challenges in regulatory compliance and approval processes. They cover the areas of planning, permitting, zoning, building, GIS, inspections, licensing and code enforcement. Following that, our company pivoted and put a lot of that knowledge we had gained, into building a cloud-based platform, SagesGov, to deliver accuracy, performance, support, and scale to the public sector. Learn more at: https://www.sagesnetworks.com/


New Partnership



The Foundation is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the California Fire Prevention Officers association! We commend their Board of Directors for hitting the ground running and partnering together to share information with their membership. CEOSF Past President, Justin Edson, presented to approximately 70 of their members in November about Risk Management and resources the Foundation provides. 




Then in December, CEOSF was a sponsor at their holiday meeting where they provided numerous Code Official Safety Specialist scholarships. 



Annual International Awards

In November, the Board of Directors reviewed and approved the recipients of the 2024 annual awards.

Jill Robinson Award

This award is named after murdered Code Enforcement Officer Jill Robinson who was taken from us in 2018 in Utah. This award is given to a government agency that has prioritized officer safety of their staff. This includes policies, training, equipment, and general support for their teams safety. Agencies must apply for this award.

CEOSF Regional Representative of the Year

This award is given to one of our volunteers, Regional Representatives, that has gone above and beyond in support of our mission. Our Representatives attend conferences, local trainings, share our information with other agencies, and volunteer on committees.

Professional Organization of the Year

This is awarded to an association or chapter that has partnered with the Foundation and has taken extra steps to promote the partnership, provide opportunities for training to their members, and/or shares our resources with members.

 

2024 Jill Robinson Award

City of Dallas, Texas


The City of Dallas Code Compliance Department employs 489 people, with over 200 as Code Enforcement Officers. Their team routinely deals with crime, drug and gang infested areas, and a large homeless population. Team members have experienced assaults, dog attacks, attempted shootings, and vehicle theft.

From the application: "As an organization, recognizing the imminent danger that lurks in the field on any given day, we have made it a top priority to provide our staff with the necessary training and tools to do what's most important: make it home to their families safely each and every day!"

Dallas has done the following:

  • Personnel Safety Equipment - body armor, bite sticks, OC spray, body cameras, and radios.

  • COSS Led Safety Training - Dallas has sent their entire leadership team of managers and supervisors through the Code Official Safety Specialist training to enhance safety training down through the chain of command.

  • 13-week Code Academy - Emphasizes situational awareness and partners with Dallas Police to provide simulation exercises.

  • Designation of High Risk "No Fly Zones" - Each of the 7 districts designate dangerous areas with drug and gang activity to keep Officers aware and to work with Police.

  • Hazards - Department vehicles are equipped with fire extinguishers and first aid kits. PPE is provided, as well as, ongoing hazardous materials awareness training.

  • High Risk Case Checklists - focusing on situational awareness and continuously adapting to improve their processes.

  • Department Policies - Developed officer safety focused policies for the department that are very detailed and thorough.

Congratulations to the City of Dallas for your commitment to personnel safety and the leadership to implement all of the accomplishments!



2024 Regional Representative of the Year

Brian C. Morris


The Foundation is honored to present the 2024 Regional Representative Award to Brian Morris! Brian has volunteered with the Foundation for nearly 2.5 years and has served on our Certification and Marketing Committees. Brian is a proven leader in the Code Enforcement profession that has focused on the safety of his team. He has been at several national conferences and has helped us build meaningful relationships to promote our mission.

Brian stated, "I’m beyond honored to receive the CEOSF Regional Rep of the Year Award! And I’m proud to serve with a group that is dedicated to promoting and protecting our profession, and most importantly, providing tools that will save lives."


2024 Professional Organization of the Year

Missouri Association of Code Enforcement


Congratulations to the Missouri Association of Code Enforcement (MACE) and their Board of Directors for supporting our partnership and providing officer safety training to their members. CEOSF was at their annual conference and provided an all day training on numerous officer safety topics. Thank you to Board President, Martin Evans, for your dedication and support of our mission!

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