Structural Safety Inspectors

In the event of a disaster or storm incident, the City Manager designates the appropriate time for Sanibel’s Building Official and Deputy Official (City team leaders) to activate the Structural Safety Team. At that time, the Team Members responsibilities are as follows:

• Remain in contact and notify team leaders of any special plans or contacts.
• Keep apprised of current conditions and listen for special announcements through
news media.
• Await instructions from City team leaders as to the whereabouts of the
location and manner of organization for rendezvous prior to assessment.
• Be mindful to provide appropriate equipment such as clothing, footwear and
rain gear. Also consider other possible needs such as a flashlight, hammer, nails,
camera, etc.

Once the Structural Safety Team is assembled, team leaders will divide the group into assigned working groups. The Sanibel Building Department will issue pre-assembled packets containing special supplies and forms that are essential for the assessment process.

The first duty of the working groups is to obtain an overall picture of damage in their assigned areas. The initial report should be given to City team leaders as soon as practical. These reports should, at minimum, include the following information:
How many structures have major destruction
Heavy damage
Medium damage
Limited damage to roofs and siding, screen enclosures and out buildings.

After making an initial assessment, the working groups will establish a method to more comprehensively cover their entire assigned area by zones. Every working group will prepare initial damage assessment loss reports for each structure within their assigned area using Structural Safety Assessment Forms.

Originals of these Structural Safety Inspector forms are to be compiled and sent daily to the Building Department, by noon and again, at days end, for review.

Working groups are not expected to assess damage to roads, bridges, utilities or City-owned and private, non-profit organization buildings. If delivery of the completed forms is not practicable, notification by phone or messenger will be acceptable.

It is very important to maintain accurate records of all photos taken, time sheets of all time spent on Structural Safety Inspections and car mileage accumulated by use of personal vehicles. Some expenses are reimbursable to the City from FEMA or the State. However, accurate and complete documentation is required in order to be recompensed fully and quickly.

On behalf of the Building Department and City of Sanibel leaders, we offer our thanks and extend our appreciation to those individuals who have provided or stood ready to provide assistance as Structural Safety Inspectors in the past years. These individuals help to make this community a true pleasure in which to live and work.

If you have an interest in volunteering to become a part of this important Structural Safety Team, we urge you to contact the Sanibel Building Department at 239-472-4555.