ICC Pulse Podcast

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, host Beau Hansen revisits one of our most popular topics – code enforcement. He sits down with code enforcement professionals to learn about their work, lessons from the field and their participation in the ICC Code Enforcement Credentialing Exam Development Committee to get a behind-the-scenes perspective about their process, goals, value to the industry and more.
Guests on the show:
Daniela DeBaca, Senior Code Enforcement Officer, City of Santa Rosa
Hilda Martinez, STR Code Investigator, Austin Development Services
Kerry Simpson, Code Enforcement Manager, Willdan Engineering
Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:
ICC Pulse Podcast 55: Tales of Code Enforcement
ICC Code Enforcement Program
Women in Code Enforcement and Development
ICC Expert Services 
Episodes of the ICC Pulse Podcast feature interviews with leading industry experts discussing a wide range of topics including current events and new technologies. Click here to see our entire archive of past episodes.

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, host Beau Hansen sits down with ICC members and ICC Board Member Ben Breadmore to discuss how they've found success in advancing their careers through connecting, collaborating and sharing knowledge with peers, mentors and experts.  

 

They also discuss the importance of building a personal brand and becoming a thought leader in the building safety industry to not only elevate yourself, but elevate the awareness of building safety. 

 
Guests on the show:  

Matt Souza, CBO, Building Official, Town of North Kingstown, RI 


Kara Maxwell, Permit Technician, City of Dubuque, IA 


James Nixon, Former Bureau Chief of Building Code Administration, City of Lancaster, PA 


Ben Breadmore, CMM, ICMA-CM, Town Manager/Chief Building Official, Town of Holden, ME, and ICC Board Member 


Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:  

ICC Unveils Redesigned cdpACCESS Platform 


ICC membership resources 


ICC mentor program & Building Safety 2.0 


ICC member community app 


Episodes of the ICC Pulse Podcast feature interviews with leading industry experts discussing a wide range of topics including current events and new technologies. Click here to see our entire archive of past episodes.

In early August 2023, Hawaii wildfires destroyed over 2,200 structures, caused an estimated $5.5 billion in damage, and most tragically claimed the lives of over 100 people. 

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we gathered key experts to discuss the Lahaina fire and Hawaii wildfires, emphasizing building safety and codes — how they shaped the disaster, what they reveal about vulnerabilities, what could change going forward, and more. 

Guests on the show: 

Derek Alkonis, Senior Research Program Manager, Fire Safety Research Institute  


Dori Booth, State Fire Marshal, State of Hawaii 


Ka`āina Hull, Director of Planning, County of Kauai  


Justice Jones, Fire and Disaster Mitigation Program Manager, ICC 


Elizabeth Pickett, Co-Executive Director, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization 


Links to related and/or referenced topics in this episode:  

ICC Fire and Disaster Mitigation webpage 


2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) 


Information on FEMA's post-disaster recovery resources for code officials 


Donate Funds – Maui City Council 


Fire Safety Research Institute 


Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization | Protect Hawaiʻi

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we explore building science in the International Residential Code® and the need for collaboration between builders and code officials – emphasizing the importance of smarter building practices.  

Host Beau Hanson sits down with home builder Matt Risinger, host of the The Build Show and founding partner of Risinger Build, who discusses how evolving codes, construction and architectural trends impact the sustainability and resiliency of the industry.  

Guests on the show:   

Matt Risinger, Founding Partner of Risinger Build 


Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:   

Learn more about the different career options within the building safety industry  


View the International Code Council's International Codes® 


Catch up on The Build Show content 


Learn more about The Build Show Network 


Learn more about Glenn Mathewson's BuildingCodeCollege.com

In this episode of the ICC Pulse Podcast, we build on our previous episode, How to Participate in the Code Development Process, by diving deeper into real-world experiences from those who've actively contributed to shaping the codes we use today.  

Featuring familiar voices from the Code Council's code development process, our expert guests share personal stories from their time working in the code development cycles, offering valuable insights into how code updates and proposals come to life. They also discuss effective ways to get involved in the process, the power of collaboration and offer practical advice for anyone looking to take their first steps into the code development world. 

Get involved in the Code Council's 2025 Committee Action Hearings, here. 

Guests on the show:  

Michael O'Brian, Fire Chief for the Brighton Area Fire Authority in Michigan 


Jeffrey M. Shapiro, P.E., FSFPE, President of International Code Consultants, Executive Director of the Texas Fire Protection Association and works with Lake Travis Fire Rescue. 


John Terry, Retired, Assistant Director of Codes and Standards, State of New Jersey 


Links to related and referenced topics in this episode:  

Learn more and register for the 2025 Committee Action Hearings. 


Learn more about Code Council's code development process. 


Read about the benefits of participating in the code development process.  


Learn about the current code development cycle.  


View the Code Council's codes and standards.