Florida building collapse leaves many asking questions about structure durability and safety

Also on the program: Department of Labor and Industry rolls out new unemployment compensation system

• Scott LaMar/WITF
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar was formerly the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue / AP

This photo provided by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, search and rescue personnel search for survivors through the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside, Fla., section of Miami, Friday, June 25, 2021.

One of the reason the collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium complex in Surfside, Florida, shocked so many people is how uncommon it is for a building to fall down in the United States without the presence of a natural disaster or criminal intent, like a terrorist attack. The tragedy, in which at least 11 people died and another 150 remain unaccounted for, has transfixed the nation’s attention.

Local building codes and numerous safety inspections in the U.S. are meant to ensure structures are durable and safe.

Tuesday’s Smart Talk won’t speculate on what caused the Surfside collapse, but we will speak with a structural engineer about why structures may fail.

Appearing on the program is David J. Odeh, Principal at Odeh Engineering in Providence, Rhode Island, and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Department of Labor and Industry rolls out new unemployment compensation system

Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians lost their jobs when the coronavirus pandemic hit the state in March 2020. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, like their counterparts in other states, was overwhelmed with unemployment compensation claims — the only source of income for many individuals and families.

It did not go well for many who waited for long periods of time to get their claims processed and had trouble contacting the department. Part of the reason was the department’s computer system was antiquated by today’s standards.

Earlier this month, the department implemented a new unemployment compensation system.

Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier joins us on Smart Talk more details.