All I know is what I read in the
newspaper." I have used that line before. It is a
quote from Will Rogers, and Chub Sewell used to open his
articles in the North Carolina State magazine that way for many years.
Recently we have been reading in the
newspaper, hearing on the radio, seeing on television
that the economy is beginning to get better.
Unemployment is getting lower, although not by much;
people are beginning to spend again; and just today the
GNP is up above estimates.
What does that mean to us in the
electrical industry, especially as electrical
inspectors?
During the past year while planning
for the Diamond Jubilee, I talked to many of you all
across the IAEI, and I got the same message: "We
can’t come to the Jubilee because our training and
travel budget has been cut." It seemed that
even though construction of new buildings, especially in
the residential market, had not slowed down because of
the economy—interest rates were low; building was
still high; and the inspector’s workload was remaining
high; even revenue from permits remained strong—other
economic pressures for local and state governments were
being met by cutting money from budgets in the
inspections department. Therefore, no training, no
travel to get training. Seems like a catch-22 situation,
doesn’t it, when one of the most important aspects of
protecting the citizenry is compromised because the
inspector can’t get continuing education on the
technical material to do his or her job effectively or
efficiently?
A speaker at the Jubilee said that
one reason our inspectors are not in the news like the
firemen is because they are doing their job of enforcing
the Code and no one notices because no major
incidents occur. Fires are major news stories and
firemen do a great job of putting them out. But good
inspectors and good inspection departments with
well-trained and certified inspectors don’t get
noticed. Is it because nothing happens? Is it because
there are no electrical shock or electrical fires, or at
least not many?
Back to the question. What does the
economy mean to the electrical inspector? If indeed the
economy is getting better, then that means that revenues
for local and state governments should also improve.
Ever hear of them cutting taxes or reducing fees for
services? The inspector must take an active role in
getting that budget item back for training and travel.
Emphasis must be placed on the importance of inspections
and qualified inspectors to maintain our safety systems.
What can IAEI do? While the
International Office can’t and should not get involved
in local politics, we can provide information and
material to help the local chapters or divisions to get
the message out on the importance of a quality
inspection program and quality inspectors. We have
produced informational brochures and we can provide
other material for your use.
IAEI has an unequaled training and
seminar program on many important subjects. We can co-op
with local chapters, we can do on-site seminars, or we
can provide training material—PowerPoint and books—for
local chapters and divisions to use in their own
training.
IAEI has two certification programs
for electrical inspectors. IAEI issues a certificate to
persons who have passed the National Certification
Program for Construction Inspectors (NCPCCI) exam. We
have a joint certification program with NFPA, with a
practicum phase as well as an exam, that issues a
certificate. Many jurisdictions require inspectors to be
certified and our certificates are accepted by many of
them. Continuing education is required by many
jurisdictions and we can provide that also. We are an
authorized provider of continuing education units (CEU)
by the International Association for Continuing
Education and Training (IACET).
What can you do? IAEI is a membership
organization. Without members, members that are
interested in furthering the goals our founders put
forth over 75 years ago, we are nothing. It is
imperative that we as members continue to solicit new
members and, as important, encourage our existing
members to stay active, remain members, and get
involved. Get involved by attending workshops and
seminars, by sharing their knowledge with others, by
leading or following.
You can organize at the local level
to be a voice for electrical safety. You can make your
local leaders more aware of the importance of
well-trained and qualified electrical inspectors. Inform
them of the importance of having and enforcing
electrical safety codes.
To help sections, chapters,
divisions, and individual members the International
Board of Directors has created a "Policy for Taking
Public Positions." This policy provides direction
for members that want to have official IAEI support for
taking a position on an issue. It would not be
beneficial for an individual or group to advocate some
position in the name of IAEI when that position may not
be in the best interest of IAEI as a whole. Be aware of
this policy. It is printed for your use on page 4 in
this issue of the IAEI News.
This year, 2004, will be another busy
year for IAEI. Updating of existing books and materials
to the 2005 Code will be a priority. We also have
new materials in the works. Seminars and training
workshops are being scheduled. Joint projects with other
organizations are being planned and implemented. Renewed
emphasis on membership, new as well as existing, is a
goal.
May this New Year bring renewed
interest and dedication to the goals of IAEI. With all
of your help we can make our world a safer place to be.
IAEI CEO and Executive
Director, and Editor-in-Chief for the IAEI News,
James Carpenter was previously the chief electrical
engineer, state electrical inspector for the Engineering
Division of the Office of State Fire Marshal, North
Carolina Department of Insurance. He had been with the
department for twenty years with twenty years electrical
experience prior to coming to the state. He has been a
member of CMP-2 since 1987 and chairman for last three
cycles. He has been a member of IAEI since 1972. He is
also a member of NFPA now serving as the TCC chair and
on the UL Electrical Council
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