Dear Members,

As psychologists and trained disaster workers know, there are emotional phases that we all experience following a disaster — The Six Psychological Stages of a Disaster. For those impacted by the LA Fires, the initial weeklong heroic phase ("I need to do something useful.") and two-month long honeymoon phase ("I'm going to be OK, we're going to get through this together.") are nearing their end.

The next phase is a tough one and may last for 36 months. The disillusionment phase begins after the adrenaline wears off, and the work of rebuilding takes an emotional toll. As described in a recent Psychology Today article, "Frustration, exhaustion, anger, and rage are common… The time it will take to have some semblance of normalcy feels massive, and the emotional toll of dealing with the aftermath may feel insurmountable."

As structural engineers, our work in responding to this disaster is just beginning. Although the emotional disillusionment phase is normal and needed in the emotional recovery process, this is likely the phase in which we encounter those reaching out for our assistance.

Our expertise is desperately needed and SEAOSC is committed to helping fill this need. To that end, we have updated our website to highlight the availability and expertise of our members in the specific areas that will be of most helpat seaosc.org/LA-Fire-Recovery. If you can be of service, please fill out the form here.

Additionally, we continue the efforts that I outlined in my message last month:

Policy: our committee members are engaged directly in conversations with building officials and affiliated AEC organizations in forming policies for the recovery process.

Technical expertise: The document RECOMMENDED INVESTIGATION AND DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR FOUNDATIONS EXPOSED TO FIRE is posted on the SEAOC website. I have personally discussed the guidelines with building officials at City of LA, County of LA, City of Malibu, and City of Pasadena and I pass on their sincere thanks to the SEAOC Wildfire Task Group to put this together. This is an ongoing effort, and our local committees are working to develop the document further. We are also working on technical review and guidance for efficient home construction that could expedite the permitting process.

Reconnaissance: Visits to areas affected by the Eaton Fire and to the Palisades Fire have begun and will continue in the months ahead. The work following the reconnaissance will continue to develop the resources for future wildfire preparedness and recovery efforts.   

There is a place for all of us in the recovery efforts. For some, that is policy, technical, reconnaissance, but for all of us, that is to be a trusted resource, advisor, advocate, and leader. To be equipped in this role takes developing the skills needed to engage, communicate, and enter the emotional space where we encounter those in need. I love the theme of next week's Leadership Symposium to be held Wednesday in downtown LA: Leading with Purpose, Inspiring with Passion, Connecting with Impact. I know for myself and all those attending the Symposium that we will leave better equipped to be of service in this time of great need and I look forward to seeing you all there.

Garrett W. Mills, S.E.
SEAOSC President 2024-25

This document is a compilation of two recommended guidelines with different objectives. The first presents criteria for the investigation of foundations exposed to fire, and the second presents design criteria for foundations exposed to fire. Discussion of concrete and masonry wall elements is also included. This document should not be taken as a general endorsement or encouragement to reuse any concrete or masonry element exposed to fire.

Additional geotechnical evaluation may be necessary to assess the feasibility of reusing any individual foundation, including retaining walls and their footings.

Additionally, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and any other systems passing through the foundation are beyond the scope of the structural assessment, however these systems should also be evaluated.

When considering rebuilding efforts, the impact of removing and reconstructing foundations on carbon pollution should not be ignored. It is recommended that the owner consult a design professional about the environmental impact of using or not reusing existing foundations.

Following the removal of debris, an assessment of the soil should be conducted to assess if the soil contains any contaminants. This assessment should follow local regulations and be performed by a licensed consultant.

It should be noted that reuse of an existing foundation may have an impact on eligibility to receive financial support from various federal, state, or private entities including but not limited to FEMA and insurance companies. Owners are advised to consult relevant agencies regarding whether reusing a foundation could affect eligibility for federal or state grants, insurance companies’ funds, or other financial aid.

This document is based on the report document, “Investigation Guideline for Foundations and Soils Affected by Fire,” dated 1/9/2019, which was prepared by Degenkolb Engineers and Ninyo & Moore Geotechnical & Environmental Sciences Consultants and presented to the City of Ventura in 2018, following the Thomas Fire of December 2017.

This document has been further modified by the Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC) Wildfire Task Group in January 2025 for specific distribution to Southern California Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ’s) in response to the fires around Los Angeles during January 2025.

Click here to download.

Dear Members,

If I saw you in the last month, I probably told you how grateful I am that you are a part of my community. This sentiment has anchored me as I reflect on the Jan 7th wildfires that destroyed so many homes and structures in our neighborhoods and as I look to the years of rebuilding ahead. At SEAOSC, our response has been swift, organized, and deliberate. We as structural engineers have a unique role to play in the rebuilding effort and we are doing so as a community.

Here are some of the ways that we are responding:

• Policy: through our relationships formed over years of work in our Safer Cities program, SEAOSC is communicating directly with building officials and their chief staff. These building officials and staff are working tirelessly to help the public under enormous pressure and SEAOSC is providing technical guidance to help them face current challenges. At the same time, our affiliated groups, AIA and others, are looking at ways that we can help individuals navigate the rebuilding and permitting process efficiently and quickly - we are experts at designing structures and navigating the approval process - and our committees are hard at work to provide input to these efforts.
• Technical expertise: our local engineers are engaged in a wider effort to gather relevant information developed following previous wildfires in our state. A SEAOC Wildfire Task Group was immediately formed in the days after January 7th and gathered current resources. These resources were passed on to building officials to aid them in answering the technical questions posed by the public in regards to rebuilding. This is an ongoing effort to continue gathering of technical resources and learn lessons from previous incidents that our members will be able to use to help their clients rebuild. At the more local level, we are also working on technical review and guidance for efficient home construction that could expedite the permitting process.
• Reconnaissance: a team has been formed and our Disaster Emergency Services committee is organizing team deployments. Visits to areas affected by the Eaton Fire and to the Palisades Fire have begun and will continue in the months ahead. The work following the reconnaissance will continue to develop the resources for future wildfires.

Our board of directors, our committees, and our members at large are all working together, but we cannot do this without more help from our members. Please reach out to our board, committee chairs, or to me if you want to serve. As we respond to each of these efforts (and more), we do so as a community.

Garrett W. Mills, S.E.
SEAOSC President 2024-25

Dear Members,

I hope this message finds you safe and well during this challenging time. As you are aware, the extreme wind event and resulting wildfires currently affecting Los Angeles County have created significant hardships for many in our region. On behalf of the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California (SEAOSC), I want to express our deep concern for the safety and wellbeing of our members, their families, and the communities we serve. We understand the stress and uncertainty these events can bring, and we want you to know that we are here to support you as needed.

As structural engineers, we play a critical role in ensuring the safety and resilience of our built environment. However, it is equally important to prioritize our own safety and wellbeing. If you or your colleagues are facing difficulties—whether personal, professional, or related to the recovery process—please do not hesitate to reach out to SEAOSC. We are committed to providing resources and connecting you with the assistance you may need during this time. Additionally, we will keep you informed of any coordinated efforts to support recovery and rebuilding in our communities.

Please stay vigilant and follow all safety directives issued by local authorities. SEAOSC will continue to monitor the situation closely, and together, we will navigate these challenges and emerge stronger. Thank you for being part of our community, and please reach out if we can be of assistance.

Stay Safe,

Garrett Mills, S.E.
SEAOSC President 2024-25

Dear Members,

Happy New Year!

The beginning of a new year always puts me in a place of reflection and resolution. I look back at the last year assessing the goals I had set and I make new resolutions for the year ahead. Many of my 2025 goals and resolutions center around finding good balance in my work and home life and in improving as a leader.

For SEAOSC, this is a time of year when we look back at the accomplishments, events, and progress of the past six months, and we commit to goals for the half-year ahead. I am glad to be part of such a great team of leaders committed to making SEAOSC what it is and what it can be. I know for each of them, their skills, abilities, and talents have been developed and honed through their experiences. Their passion for the structural engineering community drives these leaders to share their time and talents with all of us.

For example, our Leadership Symposium planning committee is hard at work shaping the March 12th event to provide excellent content for our members to grow in their own development of these skills, abilities, and talents. I know you will find the event rewarding and I look forward to seeing you there and hearing about how the event helped you meet your own 2025 goals.

Garrett W. Mills, S.E.
SEAOSC President 2024-25

On December 7, over a hundred engineers, architects, and construction professionals and students worked in teams to build 14 incredible replicas of iconic structures – from Santa Monica Pier to Snoopy’s Dog House – that are now on display at Discovery Cube Orange County. The third annual SoCal Gingerbread Challenge was one to remember, as visitors to the Discovery Cube watched on in awe as the teams built their masterpieces entirely out of gingerbread, candy, and frosting for five hours.

Each structure was handcrafted with care and everything was made on site, including each carved pumpkin gingerly placed upon the Haunted Holiday Mansion and each icicle hanging from the eaves of the Geisel Library.

The teams came into the day with carefully drawn blueprints and a plan laid out for the five hours of construction as visitors, including some friends and family, came out to show their support.

“It was unlikely we were going to win in any of the aesthetic categories,” one of the Team Burj Frostifa (University of Southern California) members said, “So we went for height.” Standing at nearly seven feet tall, the replica of the Burj Khalifa won for “Tallest Structure.”

For others, the design played a bigger part. The Hayao P Moorizaki team from Walter P Moore—one of four teams bringing an animated film to life—built the bath house from “Spirited Away,” saying that “[We] really wanted to get it right, [we] were worried that nobody would know what it was.” 

Team Hilti North America brought the holiday cheer as they traded construction hard hats for sparkly Christmas tree hats and Team Cal Poly Pomona donned reindeer antlers. 

Cal Poly Pomona won the “Team Spirit Award” for a lofty rendition of Rapunzel’s Tower from the “Tangled” movie. “We cooked,” they celebrated as they put on the final touches to the tower: a strand of long blonde hair from a wig meant to resemble Rapunzel’s braid.

The final structures are on display at the Discovery Cube OC until January 5, and a People’s Choice category is now open for visitors to vote for their favorites.

The 2024 Gingerbread Challenge winners are:

• Best Decorated: Coco's Marigold Bridge by Team Un Poco Loco of ICC-ES

• Best In Show: The Geisel Library by the Team the Grouchy Grinch Gang of Brandow & Johnston & NAC

• Best Replica Building: Haunted Mansion Holiday by Hohbach-Lewin & HMC Architects

• Most Creative Original Design: "Only In SoCal" by Team Hilti North America

• President’s Award: Deetz/Maitland Residence Team MiTek/SidePlate

• Tallest Structure: Burj Khalifa by Team Burj Frostifa, USC EERI-SEAOSC sponsored by AISC

• Team Spirit Award: Rapunzel's Tower by Team Cal Poly Pomona sponsored by Concrete West Construction

We can’t wait to bring this back next year with even more amazing feats of engineering and gingerbread magic! View all event photos here.

Dear Members,

I still remember my first professional career fair. As a second year student in Cal Poly-SLO's Architectural Engineering program, my classmates and I dressed up in our professional attire (me in a coat and tie) and carpooled to the Embassy Suites. We were just figuring out what structural engineering was all about in our academic program and this career fair gave us an invaluable opportunity to meet top engineers at the top firms in Southern and Northern California that were looking for new talent. I did not land a job at one of those firms that summer (I stayed more local to my parent's house and interned at a very small engineering firm instead), but several of those company representatives made a lasting impression on me and opened my eyes to the structural engineering profession.

Over the many years since then, I have met many, many students that have made a lasting impression on me from the other side of the table. I leave every career fair impressed by the potential new talent and anxious to get interviews scheduled before these impressive students get snatched up!

As we enter another hiring season, our SEAOSC board is excited to once again provide THE premier in-person job fair for structural engineering students in Southern California. On February 12th, SEAOSC will host its in-person career fair since 2020, which will be the pre-event to our annual Emerging Engineer's and Foundation Scholarship program later that same evening. Nowhere else, will students from Southern California's top engineering schools be all in one place. Registration for firms will be open soon (space will be limited) and students will want to get this date on their calendars for this invaluable opportunity to network with these top engineers at the top firms in Southern California. You can be assured that this career fair will leave a lasting impression on you and you will not want to miss out.

Garrett W. Mills, S.E.
SEAOSC President 2024-25

Under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), many small business owners in the United States are required to file beneficial ownership information reports (BOIR) by January 1, 2025. Failure to submit the new paperwork by the deadline puts small business owners at risk of criminal penalties, imprisonment, and fines up to $10,000.

The CTA was enacted in 2021 to help prevent and combat money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, and tax fraud. Under the CTA, which went into effect on January 1 of this year, businesses must provide their legal name and trademarks, as well as their current U.S. address. They’ll also need to provide a taxpayer identification number and specify the jurisdiction where they were formed or registered.

All businesses that fall under the definition of a reporting company must file a BOIR by January 1, 2025. Reporting companies are those that fall under the following requirements:

• Are for-profit, privately held companies registered to conduct business in the U.S.
• Have 20 or fewer employees or have $5 million or less in gross sales or receipts.

Most applicable businesses must file by January 1, 2025, with two exceptions.

• New companies created between Jan. 1, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025 need to file within 90 days of formation.
• Companies formed after Jan. 1, 2025 will need to file within 30 days of formation.

There are 23 exemptions for small businesses that will not have to file a BOIR. Find out if your business is exempt here. Publicly traded companies and non-profits do not fall under the CTA, as they are subject to their own reporting requirements.

If this act applies to you, file your report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) here. There are organizations challenging the legitimacy of this act in court, but until a verdict is reached, the deadline applies.

For more information, view the Small Business Administration’s guide for complying with the CTA or their blog post on what every small business should know about the CTA. 

Dear Members,

We often use this line as an icebreaker at SEAOSC leadership meetings, "What was your introduction to SEAOSC - why did you first join?" For me, the answer is technical expertise. As an emerging engineer working for a small design firm, I found SEAOSC to be the place where I could find the technical knowledge that was "of the moment" and that I could not get anywhere else. I would drive down from San Luis Obispo early on a Saturday morning to attend a full-day technical seminar at the Long Beach Grand Event Center. I would often run into fellow alumni from my college program, meet welcoming and experienced engineers (including the speakers), and listen to some old-timers question the state of structural engineering. I would leave with a head full of new knowledge, new networking relationships, and a sense of my own expertise enhanced with the day of learning.

In that sense, SEAOSC has maintained its technical excellence over the years. We are still providing the excellent training of our current and emerging professionals, leaving attendees with heads full of knowledge and expertise, and still being a welcoming place for networking with the leaders in our field. We held our first technical dinner meeting in many years last month, and we will round out the year with two more opportunities for highly technical presentations. I hope you will join us at the Orange County breakfast on November 13th and at the half-day Winter Technical Program on December 11th on the campus of Cal State LA. Both events will leave you filled with knowledge, enhanced in your expertise, networked with new professional connections, and inspired by your day of learning.

Garrett W. Mills, S.E.
SEAOSC President 2024-25

Dear Members,

Fall is fully here! This is my favorite season of the year as for me it brings a big reset to regularity in my life. School started back up and my home schedule is in the regular rhythms and routines of my kids' school and after school activities. The work week finds my coworkers and me more regularly in the office. Weekends are spent mostly at home working on the house and following football (and fantasy football) instead of traveling.

Fall is also the kickoff of so many of our SEAOSC activities. Committees are reshaped and reformed with new members, with new charges and goals, and with attending our annual Committee Showcase event just last week. Our student groups start their academic year with new officers, new members added to our roles, and with new opportunities for SEAOSC to stay connected with our campuses. This year, fall brings back the fondly remembered in-person dinner meetings that we hosted regularly pre-pandemic. That's right - dinner meetings ARE BACK and you really should sign up right now for October 9th in downtown LA.

As you settle into the regular rhythms and routines of this fall season, I hope to see you connecting with SEAOSC regularly and routinely!

Garrett W. Mills, S.E.

SEAOSC President 2024-25