NU Online News Service, July 26, 3:38 p.m. EDT

The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) will partner to promote an IBHS construction program for homes and commercial buildings that are vulnerable to disasters.

Tampa, Fla.-based IBHS is a nonprofit research organization that works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other property risks.

Tallahassee, Fla.-based FLASH is a nonprofit disaster safety education organization.

The organizations said they will promote and market FORTIFIED--a code-plus, inspection-based building designation program--nationwide to the general public and the professional building community as well as to stakeholders in the residential and commercial construction markets.

IBHS said it will remain responsible for the FORTIFIED programs' technical standards, training criteria and qualifications, designation criteria, and quality control initiatives.

FLASH is expected to develop training materials, including courseware, and will provide in-person and web-based platforms to meet the demands of the national program.

IBHS President Julie Rochman said in a statement that the FORTIFIED programs offer performance standards available to protect homes, businesses and communities from disasters.

"This is an excellent opportunity for FLASH to live our mission of strengthening homes and safeguarding families through joint work with one of our founding partners," said Leslie Chapman-Henderson, FLASH president and chief executive officer.

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IBHS, FLASH Promote Disaster-Resistant Construction Program

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