Category: Emergency Preparedness

4 Ways Security Teams Can Protect Their Facilities from Active Shooters

The tragedy of active shooter situations and their resulting loss of life, property damage, and financial costs prompt facilities and security professionals to ask how they can harden their facilities. As part of Facilities Management Advisor’s FM NOW: Secure Buildings 2024 virtual event on March 20, John Iannarelli, ESQ, CSP, a retired Federal Bureau of […]

Why Facilities Managers Should Consider Wearable Panic Buttons             

No matter the workplace, facilities managers should consider working with management to have employees wear panic buttons, which can enhance the facility’s emergency management plans with the button’s associated digital indoor mapping applications. Stacy Meyer, Vice President of Marketing at CENTEGIX, gave a presentation called “Could Panic Buttons Save Lives? Many Organizations Think So” as […]

State Farm Stadium: Star Player for Men’s March Madness Final Four

Glendale, Arizona’s State Farm Stadium, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, is about 10 miles from downtown Phoenix and will be the home of the ultimate thrill of victory and the agony of defeat for the remaining four teams of March Madness, as the NCAA Basketball Men’s Final Four and championship games will be held […]

Missouri Safety Department Offers Schools Free Security Planning Software

The Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) is providing additional funding of up to $1.5 million to provide new, easy-to-use school safety planning software to more public and charter schools. The funding comes in two programs: one to provide physical security assessments (PSAs) and a second that allows schools to create specific emergency operation plans […]

FMA Shorts: How Important Is Access Control for Facility Security?

On this latest episode of FMA Shorts, Larry Thompson, vice president of security for the Orlando Magic, emphasizes the need for effective access measures to help keep facilities secure. This clip was taken from a webinar titled “Scoring a Slam Dunk in Sports Security.” The full session is available for FREE on-demand here.

Homeland Security Launches AI Roadmap and Pilot Projects

These days, it seems everyone is exploring the potential of AI—even our government. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced its first “Artificial Intelligence Roadmap” and three pilot projects that will deploy AI in specific mission areas. The announcement follows President Joe Biden’s 2023 executive order directing the federal government to help advance […]

Webinar Watch: FM NOW Sessions on Secure Buildings

On Wednesday, March 20, make sure to join your colleagues and expert panelists for our FM NOW: Secure Buildings virtual summit! The FREE event will include two back-to-back webinars covering active shooters and emergency panic buttons, helping you identify ways to incorporate best security practices into your facilities amid a heightened threat environment. Can’t make it to […]

N.Y. Schools Awarded $27M for Tech and Security Upgrades

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the approval of 59 Smart Schools Investment Plans focused on reimagining education in an evolving age and boosting school security. The approved plans, totaling $27 million, are part of the $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act, a sweeping education technology program established in 2014. Hochul said, “These investments not […]

DOE Offers $90 Million to Boost Adoption of Building Energy Codes

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $90 million in funding to support building energy code adoption, training, and technical assistance at the state and local level. The DOE estimates that, from 2010 through 2040, energy codes will have saved homes and businesses $182 billion on utility bills and prevented as much carbon dioxide from reaching […]

Physical Security’s Secret Weapon: How AI Is Protecting Facilities

It’s nearly impossible to talk about technology these days without mentioning artificial intelligence (AI). Most people are familiar with generative AI tools including ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Microsoft Copilot. These companies incorporate the power of AI into the software we use every day. But did you know AI is also hard at work behind the […]