Fortifying Our Future: The BRIC Program’s Unprecedented Support for Building Codes

In the face of escalating climate threats, the resilience of our built environment is not just a priority but an imperative. Recognizing this, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the White House have placed a heightened focus on the adoption of up-to-date building codes—a move that is a game-changer for infrastructure resilience.

For International Code Council members, this shift presents a transformative opportunity: FEMA’s recent allocation of a historic $137 million through its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program dedicates funds specifically to enhance building code adoption and enforcement.

The Opportunity at Hand

The BRIC ‘Codes Plus Up’ initiative offers an exceptional prospect for states, territories, tribal and local communities to upgrade and enforce their building codes, with an allocation of up to $2 million per state and territory and $25 million for tribal communities. This funding is a strategic investment in our collective safety, promising to improve community eligibility for future mitigation project grants and to amplify resilience against natural disasters.

The Power of Up-to-Date Codes

The statistics speak volumes: FEMA’s Building Codes Save study found that the Code Council’s International Codes® (I-Codes®), when adopted widely, have the potential to avert approximately $600 billion in losses due to earthquakes, hurricanes and floods by 2060.

Furthermore, the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) reports staggering returns of $11 saved for every $1 invested in updating to current I-Codes editions, owing to mitigation benefits against earthquakes, floods and winds. The adoption of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code® (IWUIC®) could yield a benefit-cost ratio of up to $8:1.

Embracing the Funding Momentum

The ‘Codes Plus Up’ funding is not merely a fiscal boost—it’s a clear call for Code Council members to strengthen our building infrastructure across the country. Eligible BRIC funding activities include: 

• Procuring publications for building code activities, both in print and online; 
• Providing training and certification for code officials, leveraging the Code Council’s When Disaster Strikes Institute and other educational resources; 
• Investing in technological advancements such as electronic permitting systems, virtual inspection technologies, and remote administration tools; or 
• Pursuing building department accreditation and consulting services to support the adoption and updating of building codes.

Webinar Invitation: Maximizing BRIC Funding for Building Codes

To empower our members to capitalize on this opportunity, the Code Council will host a webinar on November 9, 2023, at 12:30 pm ET featuring insights from FEMA’s BRIC program lead, offering a comprehensive guide to the application process, and tips for aligning your department’s goals with the available funding.

Learn more about the webinar here. 

Preparing Your Application

For additional support or to refine your grant application strategy, the Code Council invites you to contact federalgrants@iccsafe.org or to schedule a consultation with Stella Carr, our energy and resilience project manager.

Further details are available in the FY2023 BRIC program fact sheet, and general inquiries about the BRIC program can be directed to the appropriate State Hazard Mitigation Officer or your local FEMA Regional Office.

As we embark on this pivotal journey toward enhanced resilience, the pathway paved by the BRIC ‘Codes Plus Up’ initiative is a compelling invitation to Code Council members to lead the charge in building a more secure and sustainable future for our communities.

For more information about BRIC funding, click here.