City of Foley Community Development Director Miriam Boone and Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich.

Photo by Jessica Vaughn

FOLEY - Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich proclaimed May as Building Safety Month. Not only does the month encourage safe building practices, it also recognizes those who work in building and safety positions, fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, local code officials, builders and construction workers.

“Our city is committed to recognizing our growth and strength depends on the safety and economic value of the homes, buildings, and infrastructure that serves our citizens both in everyday life and in times of natural disaster,” Hellmich said. “Our confidence in the structural integrity of these buildings that make up our community is achieved through the devotion of vigilant guardians who work year-round to ensure the safe construction of buildings.”

Hellmich said Building Safety Month encourages everyone to raise awareness of the importance of safe and resilient construction, fire prevention, disaster mitigation, energy conservation, water safety and training in new technologies in the construction industry.

“Each year in observance of Building Safety Month, Americans are asked to consider the commitment to improve building safety and economic investment at home and in the community, and to acknowledge the essential service provided to all of us by local and state building departments, fire prevention bureaus and federal agencies to protect lives and property,” said Hellmich.

Foley is ranked third in the nation for fortified homes, while Alabama is ranked the top state, mostly due to the coastal counties, Hellmich said. This shows the coastal citizens are more resilient when it comes to natural disasters, he says. Since September 2020, many more homes have been receiving new fortified roofs.

“We have done thousands, literally thousands of roof permits since Hurricane Sally,” said Foley Community Development Director Miriam Boone. “There’s a ‘don’t goof when you reroof’ program, so those roofs will be fortified. So next time a hurricane swings around, we won’t have near as much damage as we’ve had this time.”