Building Safety Month Ending, but Safety Continues All Year
May 2025 marks the 45th celebration of Building Safety Month, which focuses attention on safety in construction and building maintenance. DPIE abides by the mission of Building Safety Month year-round by working to ensure compliance with appropriate codes. We are committed to making sure all structures — ramps, room additions, apartments and commercial establishments — are built to the appropriate code requirements so they will withstand natural disasters, fires and structural failures. We also review building plans, issue permits and enforce construction and property standards.
As Building Safety Month comes to a close, my team and I urge you to take a moment to consider the building and construction professionals and those who work in the industries and entities that support them, such as DPIE. We are proud to be among those who do this important work on your behalf.
Be Safe!
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May marks Building Safety Month, the annual campaign created by the International Code Council (ICC) to spotlight the need for safety and sustainability in building through the adoption of current building codes. The effort, commemorated for the 45th time in 2025, also works to educate the public about the elements needed to ensure safe structures.
DPIE works to enforce applicable building codes in Prince George’s. Building codes are society's best way of protecting homes, offices, schools, manufacturing facilities, stores and entertainment venues, according to the ICC. Continue reading "Building Safety Month Focuses International Attention on Safety" on DPIE's website.
DPIE manages County government operations in the areas of permitting, business licensing, plan review, inspections and construction and property standards enforcement.
 Code Enforcement Officer Charles Graham as a young volunteer fire fighter and on the job for DPIE.
A Different Kind of Public Safety
Fire Service Volunteer Training Informed His Response
Inspector Charles Graham started working as a volunteer firefighter/EMT as a teenager and continued for 20 years before retiring a few years ago. So, when he saw a car roll off Hanover Parkway in Greenbelt and into a ditch recently on his way home — with his teenage daughter in tow — he instinctively sprang into action to help the critically injured driver.
Graham approached the vehicle and began assisting the man as his daughter called 911. As he applied pressure to an injury in the man’s abdomen, he realized the driver was suffering from stab wounds, not trauma due to a car crash. Graham continued first aid until rescuers arrived.
A lifelong Prince George’s County resident and father of six who loves ice hockey, camping and volunteering for the Boy Scouts, Graham spends his days inspecting properties to ensure they comply with County zoning requirements. He formerly worked in code enforcement in Greenbelt. He is among dozens of former first responders who work at DPIE.
For excellence on the job and his heroic act, Graham was named DPIE’s Employee of the Month for May. His colleagues credit him for his willingness to go the extra mile.
DPIE Developments spoke to Graham about the incident.
DD: Why did you get involved?
Graham: I’ve handled all sorts of situations from minor injuries to traumatic injuries. I’ve been on fatal accidents. I’ve have been on calls assisting in bringing in new life and sadly, I’ve been there as a life ends. I was just doing what I was trained to do — not looking for acknowledgment but helping someone in need.
DD: What did you see as you approached the car?
Graham: The man was slumped behind the wheel and bleeding in his abdomen area. I started putting pressure on the wound. I kept applying pressure and talked to him until the EMTs got there.
DD: Your training just came instantly back, despite the time away?
Graham: You don’t forget the training and even though I have had a higher level of care training, I have also taken the County’s Stop the Bleed course and the First Aid course offered through the Office of Emergency Management… They are great courses, and I encourage everyone to take them because you never know…who’s life you could save.
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The DPIE team encourages property owners and managers to prepare for Building Safety Month 2025 by taking steps to ensure their homes and businesses are safe and able to withstand damage during this season’s weather emergencies.
Each year, hundreds of Prince George’s County property owners experience damage to their homes ranging from basement flooding to damage to exterior brick or siding surfaces. DPIE asks residents to assess their properties annually to determine where upgrades and fixes are needed. Taking a few steps can help protect homes and other structures from the ravages of fires, floods, storms, and other potential disasters. For more information, visit DPIE's website to view the flyer, "DPIE Alert: STORMS."
The Permanent Rent Stabilization and Protection Act (PRSA) team has posted an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for tenants and landlords. Visit DPIE’s website to view new information in the expanded PRSA FAQs or the Permanent Rent Stabilization and Protection Act (PRSA) page for general information.
 DPIE Chief of Staff Lori Parris (left) spoke to business owners about the permitting process; County Council Member Ingrid S. Watson (center, with Parris) sponsored the breakfast for business owners; Business Development Officer Charles Cooper watches a presentation (right).
Did you know DPIE works with entrepreneurs to get their businesses running? Agency Chief of Staff Lori Parris presented DPIE’s processes for helping businesses get the permits they need to operate at the Keeping D4 Business Friendly Breakfast sponsored by Council Member Ingrid Watson on May 30 at the Comfort Inn and Conference Center in Bowie. Parris shared information about the necessity of having a Use and Occupancy Permit; what aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs need to know before applying for a permit; free services offered for businesses; and the various County agencies involved with the permitting process. DPIE Business Development Officer Charles Cooper helped Parris answer questions and spoke to business owners after the meeting.
DPIE will offer a special presentation of “Permitting for Businesses” on Thursday, June 26, 2025. For information, visit the DPIE Business Development page or DPIE's main website page after June 3. Contact Cooper at DPIEBIZDEV@co.pg.md.us.
 
DPIE provides tips and information to residents and businesses about protecting their properties and keeping them code compliant. Among the programs are "PYP: Permit Your Projects!" which encourages residents to obtain permits for home improvement work and renovations, and “Buyer Beware!” which urges buyers to ensure construction on properties was performed after the appropriate permitting and inspection requirements were met.
An inspector posts a notice related to an illegal encampment in a wooded area in the northern County area. Report illegal encampments to PGC311.
 Senior staff members pose for one last photo with retiring Associate Director Bellur Ravishankar.
Bellur Ravishankar started his DPIE career in January 2015 as the Associate Director (AD) for the Building Plan Review Division, and, before long, he was also named AD of the Permitting and Licensing Division. His colleagues and staff celebrated his retirement with a dinner out and a luncheon in the building.
DPIE thanks you for your hard work, Bellur. We miss you!
 Retiring Associate Director Bellur Ravishankar poses with his replacement, AD Nabeel Waseem (left), and Robin McLean, his long-time administrative aide (right).
 DPIE will offer a special presentation focused on business permitting on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Watch for information on the DPIE Business Development page or DPIE's main page at after June 3. Business Development Officer Charles Cooper can be reached at . For more information, contact .
 Kudos to temporary Permit Center staffer Mario Martinez for taking quick action when a visitor to our Largo office suffered a medical emergency recently. Martinez, who came to DPIE from Project Hire, assisted the woman, then called her husband, who offered additional information on how to render aid until PGFD arrived.
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