jwilks

I also took the FEMA "inspector" training courese; first the initial class and then I made it half way through the advanced class. I have operated my own inspection company for 6 years. I am professionally trained, State Certiffied and have an Associates degree in Civil Engineering Tech. I am also a Professional Fire Fighter and am assigned to a structural collapse team. I was very disappointed in both the training and the lack of qualifications for their perspective/future inspectors. The entire class focused on how to make money working for FEMA, not on how to inspect a home or on how to help these people in their time of need. Another major problem was the so called inspectors in the class. They ranged from people with zero experience in construction and inspection procedures to retired people looking for something to do. I don't want anyone to think I look down on older people trying to make some extra money, but a disaster zone is not the place for anyone that is not in some type of good physical shape. It would be nice to think FEMA and the Federal government will take a real close look at the program and make some drastic changes. For myself, I believe they should look at using local, State and/or Nationaly certified inspectors. I know FEMA looks at local inspectors as a conflict of intrest, but all state and nationaly certified inspectors adhere to both a set of standards of practice and code of ethics.