Dealing with Emergencies

If you manage or own a school, hotel, hospital, or office commercial building, you are aware of the increased level of concern about safety and security. While the events of September 11th brought building security, safety, and emergency response to the nation's attention, there are hundreds -- if not thousands - of incidents every year in which a variety of hazards result in the evacuation of a building. These incidents can range from the foreseeable effects of a hurricane to the unexpected consequences of an accidental release of a noxious chemical. Our daily newspapers routinely provide accounts of these and other incidents that can affect the health and safety of building occupants.

While many incidents are accidental, others may be the result of malicious acts such as vandalism or terrorism. These incidents can be life-threatening and can have substantial economic impact. According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety estimates, at least 25% of businesses never reopen after a local disaster.

While the increased visibilty of Homeland Security has focused attention on terrorism, you can't ignore the many threats from weather, fire, and wind damage. Use these tips and links to help you assess, prepare, and handle threats to your building. Never forget that, even without special protective systems, buildings can provide protection in varying degrees against hazards that originate outdoors. However, such protection is limited and effective only under certain conditions. Take advantage of the assortment of measures to protect building occupants. These measures can be as simple as defining a protective-action plan. Others are design measures for new construction or retrofit that can reduce the likelihood that incidents will affect building occupants. Some are security measures intended to prevent incidents. After a full audit of your building, you should be able to identify and implement effective security measures that reduce the vulnerability or mitigate consequences of an incident.

Follow FEMA's 4-step emergency planning process:

Establish a planning team
Analyze capabilities and hazards
Develope the plan
Implement the plan

Other Guidelines:

Inspect all building systems, evaluating their exposure in the event of a natural or man-made disaster
Schedule disaster preventative maintenance with everyday maintenance
Make sure you have extra supplies on hand to continue operating and maintaining essential equipment
Include equipment and components with higher resistance to disaster when remodeling or renovating
Keep you equipment inventory list current
Make sure computers and other applicable equipment have surge protectors and uninterruptible power supply devices
Consider installing a backup power supply, such as a multi-KV generator and extra fuel or abc to operate essential electrical systems
Purchase a removable computer storage device - Back up data regularly and store off site
Purchase a NOAA weather radio - Keep a disaster kit stocked and ready

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