Category: Emergency Preparedness

CDC Releases Infection Prevention Guidance for K-12 Schools

The COVID-19 pandemic shuttered schools across the country and made health and safety top priority once they reopened. Although the pandemic is thankfully behind us, it remains essential to protect students and staff from all types of infectious diseases. As leaders plan for the new school year ahead, now is a good time to double […]

How to Improve Business Continuity Through Employee Disaster Preparedness

Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity, and areas that haven’t experienced disaster events in the past are now facing unprecedented levels of risk. In 2023 alone, the U.S. experienced a staggering 28 separate disaster events, each costing at least $1 billion in damage. This trend is expected to continue with record-setting wildfires, extreme […]

Empowering School Safety: Strategies for a Secure Learning Environment

It’s crucial for your school to continuously reassess its approach to safety throughout the year, establishing new goals and strategies as needed. Reviewing current policies, anticipating future trends, and taking a proactive approach will help your school prepare effectively to address and prevent potential issues. Start by Conducting Thorough Assessments Improving school building safety involves […]

Preparing Your Business for Unpredictable Weather and Vulnerabilities

During spring, businesses often find themselves confronted with the unpredictable nature of changing weather patterns. Recent forecasts have indicated a “Polar Coaster Spring,” marked by fluctuating temperatures and potential severe weather events. As the seasons transition, here are a few steps to help better prepare and protect your business, mitigating risks and ensuring continuity in […]

FMA Shorts: How Do Panic Buttons Work?

On this latest episode of FMA Shorts, Stacy Meyer, vice president of marketing at CENTEGIX, explains details regarding panic buttons and who the workplace safety devices might benefit most. This clip was taken from a webinar titled “Could Panic Buttons Save Lives? Many Organizations Think So.” The full session is available for FREE on-demand here.

‘Mission Possible’: ICC Kicks Off Building Safety Month 2024

The International Code Council (ICC) has launched Building Safety Month this May, marking the group’s 44th annual campaign to raise awareness about the importance of building codes and the role that building safety professionals play in keeping communities safe. This year’s main theme, “Mission Possible,” encourages people to get involved in all aspects of building safety. […]

CISA Releases Physical Security Checklist for Election Polling Places

With the upcoming primaries and the big general election in November, it’s never too early to prepare for security threats at polling places such as schools, community centers, and other facilities. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released the Physical Security Checklist for Polling Locations, a new tool designed to bolster security preparedness for […]

Back to Basics: 4 Earthquake Safety Tips

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important but possibly overlooked information facilities management professionals should know.  While some Americans may think earthquakes only happen in California and Hawaii, a recent earthquake in the Northeast and its aftershocks—the biggest earthquake in the area since 1884—prove earthquake preparation is important for everyone, including facilities […]

Emergency Preparedness for Climate Disasters: Overcoming Hurdles in Schools

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. Spring has arrived in much of the United States: flowers are budding, and frosty mornings are giving way to longer, sunnier days. With these changes comes another, less-welcome seasonal threat: wildfires, which produce excessive […]

Is Your Facility Blackout-Ready? Ensuring Safety and Continuity During Power Failures

Between extreme weather events, an aging power grid, and the transition to renewable energy, power interruptions are becoming a much greater risk in all parts of the country. Many will remember the highly publicized 2013 Super Bowl blackout when the power shut down the biggest game in American sports for 34 minutes, plunging the New […]