The members of AIA Virginia emphasize and celebrate the contributions of architects and the importance of architecture in enriching the quality of life in local communities and the well-being of society. There may be no more impactful contribution than serving individuals and communities in times of intense and immediate crisis.
Since 1972, the Disaster Assistance Committee (DAC) has prepared members to take on leadership and volunteer roles in assisting communities nationally and internationally. The program strengthens readiness and fosters mutually beneficial relationships with jurisdictions and the larger disaster-response community. This includes the administration of the Safety-Assessment Program (SAP) training which provides architects, engineers, and building inspectors with the knowledge to provide evaluations of facilities and buildings in the aftermath of a disaster. A special debt of honor and gratitude is due to those who stand ready to serve in this capacity. If you would like to join their ranks, and in particular, would like to chair this committee, please communicate your interest to Paul Battaglia, AIA pbattaglia@aiava.org.