The Official RJWestmore Blog

Avid fans of the television series Star Trek are familiar with the term: cloaking device. In a turn proving the fact that truth is stranger than fiction, physicists from the University of St. Andrews In Kentucky have created a cloaking device that is literally capable of hiding 3D objects. In their paper published in the New Journal of Physics, the St. Andrew’s team explains that the new device hides microscopic objects from view as seen from any angle.

In the same way that cloaking devices make objects appear invisible by deflecting light around them, pressurized rubber could be used to “hide” structures from shock waves produced by earthquakes, sending them around the structure rather than through it. This is good news for building owners and property managers since cloaking could potentially defend structures against earthquakes and other natural disasters.

The whole idea of cloaking works because light is the means by which we see everything around us. For example, consider how light strikes a computer keyboard and then bounces back through the user’s pupils into the back of his or her eyes, enabling writers to see what they are typing. If something were to be placed under a keyboard that caused the light behind it to bend before it hit the keyboard, and then caused it to bend back on the other side before it came to our eyes, we’d see nothing but the table the keyboard is sitting on.

If cloaking technology had been available last year, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant might have been able to escape damage from the earthquake and associated tsunami. According to mathematicians from the University of Manchester, invisibility cloaks could be used to protect key structures such as nuclear power plants, government facilities and electric pylons from earthquakes and terrorist attacks.

“Significant progress has been made, both theoretically and practically in the area of cloaking. We showed theoretically that stressing a naturally available material—rubber—leads to a cloaking effect from a specific type of elastic wave,” wrote Dr. William Parnell in The Proceedings of the Royal Society. “Our team is now working hard on more general theories and to understand how this theory can be realized in practice. If the theory can be scaled up to larger objects then it could be used to create cloaks to protect buildings and structures, or perhaps more realistically to protect very important specific parts of those structures.”

The new cloaking device won’t be on the market in the immediate future since the experiment used elements too small to be seen by the human eye. After more research is done, it will eventually be sized up and expanded to cloak everyday objects such as buildings.

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJWestmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. What’s more, the NEW RJWestmore Property Messaging System is included FREE for all RJWestmore Online Training System users. Visit www.RJWestmore.com for more information.

The RJWestmore Training System seamlessly connects users to the NOAA website.

Recently, on both the east and west coast, it’s felt a lot more like spring or summer than winter. Nevertheless, severe snow, avalanche warnings and damaging winds loom. No matter where you live and work, despite meteorological assertions to the contrary, weather is unpredictable. Even the most methodical forecasts often underestimate the severity of weather events. And even storms that come with prior warning can cause catastrophic results.

To BE SAFE, building managers and property owners should create a severe weather event plan and be ready to implement it with little or no advanced warning. This practice is a fundamental part of emergency preparedness which is essential to life safety and building protection. So, prepare today for potential severe weather such as hail storm, cyclone, hurricane, electrical storm, ice storm, thunderstorm, tornado, blizzard, flood and winter storm, extreme cold or extreme heat.
Here’s how to prepare for severe weather:

• Before you need it, set up and consistently test your ability to communicate during emergencies.

• Make use of applications that instantly transmit messages and weather advisories to tenant subscribers via voicemail, email and text messaging. The RJWestmore Training System includes an integrated property messaging system for just this type of communication.

• Whatever system you use, send notifications before, during and after severe storms. For use in extreme emergencies, these applications also have a reply feature that allows recipients to tell building staff that they are safe.

• Make sure lines of communication are open to your city’s emergency services so you will be alerted to disaster-related information. Learn your community’s warning signals and evacuation plans.

• Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify severe weather, such as advisories, watches and warnings.

• Purchase and program a NOAA Weather Radio for alerts. The RJWestmore training system includes NOAA weather watchers warningsand alerts button that users can click to enter zip code and then sign up for text messaging, desktop warnings, etc.
  

  The RJWestmore Training System Homepage features alive NOAA Weather link.

• Evaluate the current condition of your building:

o    Keep roofs and setbacks clean and clear, with scaffolding or loose equipment securely tied down.
o    Double check storm drains to prevent ice build-up.
o    Set up sandbags when preparing for a flood.
o    Test emergency backup equipment and systems.
o    Make sure adequate supplies are accessible.
o    Check flashlight batteries.
o    Confirm your energy management software functions properly.
o    Prepare an emergency kit that includes food, water, blankets and medical supplies as well as a whistle to signal for help. For a more complete list of provisions to gather for impending storms, check out the free preparedness tips from FEMA.

• If necessary, call extra operations and security staff.

• Monitor the status of mass transit services and roadways for tenant advisories.

• Consider retaining a 24/7 disaster recovery company to assist with storm damage remediation.

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJWestmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. What’s more, the NEW RJWestmore Property Messaging System is included FREE for all RJWestmore Online Training System users. Visit www.RJWestmore.com  for more information.

Before the advent of email, if you wanted to contact someone, no matter how dire the emergency, you had only a few ways to do so—in person, by phone, with a telegram or via snail mail. Fortunately, technology has revolutionized the way people communicate, especially relative to emergency management. The speed and flow of disaster communications is exceptional now thanks in part to an electronic tool known as property messaging.

In our effort to improve emergency preparedness and help SAVE LIVES, the new RJWestmore Training System leverages this new technology in an integrated property-messaging system which saves property owners and building managers valuable time and money before, during and after disasters. What’s more, the messaging system makes life easier for first responders.

The system features an effective method for users to instantly communicate with all tenant managers or occupants in any property, without the necessity of leaving the RJWestmore Training System. When logged into the system, users can easily send mass messages which are delivered to everyone located in one or multiple properties, simply by clicking “all,” or targeting particular groups.

A hot topic among fire departments, property messaging systems boast user-friendly interfaces. The RJWestmore Training System Property Messaging offers these:

• Users click “New Message” to start creating a new message.
• Preferences are set using simple dropdown menus.
• Messages can be sent immediately or delayed, using a popup calendar.
• Priorities can be set to normal or high
• Replies can be restricted.
• Attachments can be added.
• Drafts can be created.
• Messages can be sent to individuals or groups
• Allowed users include regional managers, property managers, tenant/department managers, fire safety directors and fire/floor wardens.
• The new messaging system is just another example of how the RJWestmore Training System takes safety seriously. Our mission is to save lives through training with the motto Be Safe!

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJWestmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. What’s more, the NEW RJWestmore Property Messaging System is included FREE for all RJWestmore Online Training System users. Visit www.RJWestmore.com  for more information.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), floods kill more people in the United States than any other type of severe weather. Some floods develop slowly, while others, such as flash floods, can develop in just a few minutes and without visible signs of rain.  Whatever the cause of a flood, taking steps to prepare will not only help keep your family, tenants and employees safe, but can also help minimize potential property damage and reduce the costs of recovery. Most importantly…it can help save lives!

Although this year’s weather in the U.S. has been relatively odd, with far less snow and rainfall than what is typical, the risk of flooding remains high. In fact, severe winter weather could actually increase your risk of flooding no matter where you live in the United States.

FloodSmart.gov, which is the official website of the national flood insurance program, provides information to property owners designed to help protect assets in weather-related incidents. Take a few minutes to gather the facts so you will be able to prepare for these potentially problematic conditions:

1. Heavy Rains—several areas of the country are currently at risk for flooding due to heavy rains. Excessive rainfall can happen throughout the year, putting your property at risk.
2. Rain Following a Fire—after a wildfire, the charred ground where vegetation has burned away cannot easily absorb rainwater. This increases the risk of flooding and mudflow for a number of years. Any property which was directly affected by fires or is located downstream of burn areas are at risk.

To assess your building’s risk for floods, survey the area immediately around the property. Has brush burned? Is your structure located in a valley or in an area where water could pool? If you determine that your property is at risk for flooding, take steps to prepare well before the first raindrop falls.

1. Ice Jams—these occur when extended cold spells freeze the surface of rivers. When a significant rise in the water level or a thaw breaks the ice into large chunks, these floating masses can jam up man-made or natural obstructions, resulting in severe flooding.
2. La Nina—USA Today reports that extreme weather can be attributed mostly to a strong La Nina, which is associated with cooler than normal water temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean and an atmospheric flow that causes drier than normal conditions in the Southwest and wetter than normal in the Northwest. Extreme weather often leads to flooding.
3. Snow Melt—while heavy rains overtly alert people to the possibility of flooding, melting snow is a subtler, but no less significant threat. Even if you don’t live in Portland or Seattle, you could encounter a flood.
4. Spring Thaw—a midwinter or early spring thaw could produce large amounts of runoff in a short period of time. Because the ground is hard and frozen, water fails to penetrate and be reabsorbed. The water runs off the surface and flows into lakes, streams and rivers, causing excess water to spill over onto dry land.
5. West Coast Rainy Season—heavy rains from late October through March mark the rainy season in the western United States, bringing the majority of annual rainfall to the region. Each year during the winter rainy season, residents on the West Coast face the risk of flooding and mudflows that can damage homes and businesses

The National Weather Service puts floods in three categories:

1. Minor (little or no property damage)
2. Moderate (some inundation of structures and roads near streams and some evacuations of people to higher ground)
3. Major (extensive inundation and significant evacuations of people to higher elevations)

Regardless of the cause or severity of a flood, there are several ways you can prepare to handle and recover:

• Hire a professional to install check-valves in plumbing to prevent flood waters from backing up into the drains of your building.
• Store enough non-perishable food and potable water for three days.
• Make sure a First-Aid kit and medications are at the ready.
• Stay informed. Make sure your “go bag” includes a hand-crank or battery-operated radio. Use it to tune to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards.
• Develop a personal/business evacuation and safety plan. Also, familiarize yourself with your community’s preparedness plan.
• Keep your automobile fueled. If the flood affects gas station power, you might not be able to get gas for days.
• If you are driving, when you approach a flooded road, turn around, don’t drown.

These are a just a few ideas to get you thinking. For a comprehensive list of everything you can do to prepare for a flood, check out the free guide produced by NOAA: Floods—the Awesome Power.

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJ Westmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. Visit www.RJWestmore.com  for more information.

Here is some food for thought.

The information below is not all inclusive and is only intended to motivate you to GET PREPARED! Use your RJWestmore Online Training System ^TM or building-specific Emergency Manual and onsite training for more complete policies and procedures.

If a disaster of any kind strikes the building where you work or live, you will need to act quickly based on proper training. But not all situations necessitate evacuation. For instance, a power outage does not necessarily call for immediate evacuation. Further, depending upon the circumstances of the emergency (civil unrest for example), it might actually be safer to shelter in place inside the building.

Reaction time is very important in any emergency. You must be properly trained to react in the safest manner based on the ever changing, unique combination of circumstances. You should also coordinate with the qualified professionals in your building (or emergency responders) to evaluate the nature of the event, gather additional information, including the overall safety of the building and presence of hazardous materials systems (such as power, alarm systems, ventilation, mechanical systems, etc.)

If you hear an alarm, smell smoke, see fire or are instructed to evacuate, use your training and best judgment to immediately move to safety.

• Assume all alarms are real.
• Don’t panic. Stay calm.
• Move quickly but do not run.
• Call 911.
• Grab your “Go Bag” and critical personal belongings if it is safe to do so. (Your preassembled Go Bag should have comfortable shoes, prescription medications, energy bar, water, glasses, etc.) [Remember, it could be several hours before you are readmitted to the building.]
• Close doors behind you as you evacuate (but do not lock them). Emergency responders may need to gain access and Floor/Fire Wardens should be searching every room to make sure everyone has moved to safety.
• Proceed to the nearest safe exit farthest from danger. Do not use the elevator.
• Head to your predetermined Emergency Assembly Area—Safe Refuge Area and check in immediately. (If you are mobility-impaired in a building with fire-rated stairwells, you will move to the safest stairwell landing with your two assistance monitors (buddies) and wait for emergency responder assistance. If you are mobile and can evacuate safely, you might relocate within your building down to a safer floor or you might completely exit the building.)
• Wait for any instructions from first responders or building personnel.
• Do not re-enter the building until you have been instructed to do so by trained professionals.
• If anyone has been injured, call 911 and inform onsite emergency responders and building personnel.
• If you have a disability, make sure you inform building management and add yourself to the “Special Assistance List” BEFORE THE EMERGENCY. Learn the shortest, most accessible pathway for exiting from each area. Check with the building owner or property manager for approved evacuation routes, which (based on your unique special needs) should be incorporated as part of their Emergency Action Plan.
• RJWestmore Online Training System ^TM users can add/remove themselves from a “Special Assistance List” that automatically notifies building personnel of you and your special needs.

Did you know that safety training is a crucial part of legal compliance for commercial properties? Tenants whose property managers use RJWestmore Training enjoy access to interactive, life-saving instruction available 24/7 right over the internet. Ask your building owner or manager about the RJWestmore System, which helps train tenants and floor wardens for disasters such as fires (which are the most common emergency), earthquakes, bomb threats, medical emergencies, power outages and more.

The RJWestmore Training System provides building-specific information for emergency personnel, so professionals are able to familiarize themselves with property blueprints before they arrive on scene. This type of information is extremely useful because it saves valuable time.

What’s more, the RJWestmore System alerts emergency personnel when individuals in member-buildings require special assistance during an evacuation. This notice includes individuals who are physically challenged, mobility impaired, have temporary or permanent disabilities, medical conditions, pregnancy or any other conditions that could impede or prevent them or others from safely descending stairwells without assistance.

Here are some more RJWestmore Training System 2.5 perks:

• Everything is available online, including building-specific training and certification
• Training complies with federal, state and local laws
• Provides 24/7 training because seconds count when it comes to responding to emergencies.
• Promotes a safety-oriented environment
• Prepares you to react immediately
• Advises about preliminary warning signs
• Training is one of your best defenses against potentially fatal consequences.
• Helps you from becoming a victim.
• Shows you how to respond to hurricanes ahead of time. Because some emergencies are predictable, there is no excuse for failing to prepare.
• Immediate action can save your life.
• Provides information about how to respond to severe weather.   The U.S. is the most severe weather-prone country on earth. Flash floods, excessive rainfall, dam or levy breaches require proper training to mitigate water damage and save lives.

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJ Westmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. Visit www.RJWestmore.com  for more information.

Apply Murphy's Law to your disaster preparedness plans.

According to Murphy’s Law, “Everything that can go wrong will.” And though many view this kind of pessimism as extreme, when it comes to disaster preparedness, it’s a healthy posture to assume.

Emergency Management lessons from Hurricane Katrina bear this out. In fact, Pat Santos, deputy director of Louisiana’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, recently told emergency managers that (people) should remember that it’s not ‘if’ a disaster strikes but ‘when.’”

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate concurs: “By establishing relationships now and planning for high-impact events, communities and the nation will be better prepared.”

So, as a building owner or property manager, what 10 steps can you take which assume that, as it concerns your building, the worst is bound to happen?

1. A Disaster Will Strike. As a whole, people are more inclined to believe that disasters can hit home since the Y2K scare and 9/11. However, most continue to think that catastrophes happen to “other people.” Resist the urge to defer making emergency preparations. Disasters happen every day to everyday people worldwide.
2. The power will go out if an emergency strikes. If the power fails, your furnace will most likely go out, as well. Your best bet is to invest in good, high-quality cold weather gear, such as coats, gloves and sleeping bags and blankets, for yourself, employees and family members. Fires can result from the use alternative indoor heat sources such as space heaters and propane lamps and require power for operation. So use extreme caution. 
3. Food will be in short supply. There could be a run on supermarkets if a major disaster hits. Stockpiling food for emergencies needn’t be expensive. Store inexpensive, nonperishable items such as rice beans, noodles and peanut butter. Canned food has a long shelf life. Another option is Meals Ready to Eat (MREs). These are ideal since they can be even eaten without cooking. This is important since you should never use a BBQ grill inside. If you must use a grill or campfire to heat meals in emergencies, do so outside.
4. Water sources will be contaminated and bottled water will run low. When East coast residents were preparing for Hurricane Irene, stores sold out on basic necessities including water. Don’t wait for an emergency to buy extra water. Pick up extra gallons each time you visit the grocery store. You could also invest in commercial water barrels and fill them with tap water, as long as you disinfect the barrels with a diluted bleach mixture to purify water. In a pinch, you can survive by drinking the water in the toilet reservoir tank.
5. The Lights will go out. Stock up on candles and battery-operated or crank-operated flashlights.
6. Communications will be knocked out. Purchase transistor radios and plenty of spare batteries. Hand-crank radios are available. Certain brands of FRS radios also have AM/FM capability. These can be used in addition to a larger, battery powered “boom box” type radio.

7. Medical Care will be in high demand. During emergencies, hospitals are overrun and medical professionals are in short supply. Invest in First Aid training as well as a basic kit so you will be prepared to administer basic medical assistance to those in need.
8. Transportation will be congested, maybe even at a standstill. If a major emergency strikes and the power goes out, traffic could get ugly. Subway systems, buses and trains might also be affected. Your best course of action in this case is to pack a “go” bag in the back of your car that includes a good pair of walking shoes.
9. You may have to flee from dangerous situations. So fitness is important. Regular exercise and good nutrition are important for quality of life as well as in cases of emergencies.
10. You will run out of toilet paper. It might be easy to forget the little things that make life tolerable. But running out of TP can be a drag. So stock up now before disaster strikes.

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJ Westmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. Visit RJWestmore.com for more information.

Does your organization boast a culture of preparedness?

At RJWestmore Inc., we take great pains to make sure our clients and friends understand the importance of being prepared for dealing with and recovering from emergencies of every type. Today, we would like to focus on how to actively cultivate a culture of preparedness.

According to Dictonary.com, the definition of culture is: the development or improvement of the mind by education or training.

Admittedly, it will take work to purposely develop a culture of preparedness in the workplace or even at home. But taking steps to BE SAFE is well worth the effort. There’s a marked difference between an organization that participates in planning and one that has planning woven into its very fabric.

Qualities of an Environment that Foster a Culture of Preparedness:

1. Deliberate—instead of a byproduct of occasional emergency preparedness efforts, organizations that have effectively cultivated a culture of preparedness have done so intentionally instead of by accident. Since this type of program requires organizational buy-in, it should be adopted and sanctioned by members of your company’s C-suite.
2. Consistent—although the topic of preparedness frequently make an appearance at annual corporate training seminars, disaster readiness manuals all too often gather dust between educational round tables. If you want people to embrace emergency preparedness, they need to believe that doing so is important all year long.
3. Active—practice makes perfect. The more familiar your employees and tenants are with disaster preparedness procedures, the better. To improve preparedness performance, run drills several times a year instead of just once.
4. Compelling—unless people understand the risks associated with being ill-prepared, they won’t appreciate the importance of being prepared. Although scare tactics are ill-advised, information sharing should include stories of individuals and organizations that have paid a price for their lack of preparation.
5. Multi-pronged—effective disaster preparedness and recovery plans cover all of the bases. Consider the scope of disasters that have struck the world over the past 12 months. It’s no longer easy to anticipate which storms or terrorist attacks will hit any given geographical location. So disaster plans should include strategies for fending off and/or responding to attacks as well as natural and manmade disasters.
6. Reflective—your program should allow for review of drills and training exercises. Reviewing will help foster new insights and interactive learning.
7. Inherent—it is more important that people master the ability to problem solve than that they be able to predict the future. To foster effective problem-solving, provide access to exercises that strengthen the skill.
8. Intuitive—people should be on their guard, ready to assess any given situation for potential emergency situations. Only those who constantly scan their environment notice and anticipate hidden threats.
9. Real—according to Liisa Valikangas, professor of innovation management at the Helsinki School of Economics, “one of the human cognitive factors that complicates our ability to take resilient action is confusion between frequencies and probabilities.”

People tend to discount the probability of personally encountering a catastrophe. And this tendency results in a reluctance to give due diligence to emergency preparation. Organizations that have successfully created a culture of preparedness understand this affinity and combat it by facing it head on. Communicate openly and honestly to make sure safety remains front of mind.

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJ Westmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. Visit RJWestmore.com for more information.

A hot topic among property owners and managers is “going green.” But what does that phrase really mean? How can you achieve the goal of practicing energy-efficient standards to protect and improve the environment? And can you “go green” without breaking the bank?

As a proud member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), we at RJWestmore are committed to sustainability. So we would like to offer a few explanations and suggestions for property managers and building owners to help sort through all of the hype.

• What does that phrase “going green” really mean?

The folks at Earth Care say “going green” means using various alternatives to help save energy and the environment. This is a very broad definition because the practice of energy conservation and environmental protection is evolving. At first, just the invention of a few crazy hippies in the 1970s, the environmental movement is now big business.

Consider a recent story in The New York Times, which compared government subsidies to the gold rush, since developers of large-scale clean-energy projects are encouraged to cash in on stimulus spending by adopting green practices. The article discussed a ranch in San Louis Obispo wherein one million solar panels will provide enough power for 100,000 homes, at a cost of $1.6 billion. But subsidies are not limited to large corporations. Even homeowners can benefit from tax incentives like rebates for solar window installation and energy efficient appliances.

• How can you achieve the goal of practicing energy-efficient standards to protect and improve the environment?

What would it take for the Average Joe to convert his own business and/or property to a facility that is energy efficient? Start small. Wherever you are on your sustainability journey, many options are available for improving performance. You needn’t hire a contractor to rip out all of your walls, ceilings and floors and replace the roof, lighting and parking structure all at once. Instead, find a sustainability consultant and ask what you can conservatively do to reduce your property’s carbon footprint.

• Is it possible to “go green” without breaking the bank?

The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. And so it goes with going green. Simple things like starting a recycling program or switching from plastic plates in the cafeteria to eco-friendly productswill effectively help save the planet. Many such actions and products are so simple and affordable; you’ll wonder why you didn’t use them all along.

Are you prepared to Go Green?

One of the best ways to get going in the right direction is to join existing groups that promote earth-friendly construction. The US Green Building Council is one such organization, which is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. The council’s community of leaders is working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation through programs such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which is redefining the way people think about the places where we live, work and learn.

An internationally recognized mark of excellence, LEED is a system which provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. What’s more, the LEED system is set up to evaluate new construction, existing buildings including operations and maintenance, commercial interiors, cores and shells, schools, retail, healthcare, homes and neighborhood development. If you own or manage a facility that would benefit from a LEED-rating evaluation, contact the USGBC today.

When disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJ Westmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. Visit RJWestmore.com for more information.

Tail-gating can pose a security risk. Are you prepared?

As the NFL football playoff season enters a fever pitch, you might consider hosting a tailgate party before heading into the stadium for the big game. But tailgating of an entirely different sort may be putting your property at risk. Even if the security team at your building has things well in hand with turnstiles, documented access, PIN numbers or visitor badges, the practice of quickly slipping in behind someone who has passed through screening is called tailgating and is a very common technique for breaching building security. Is your building at risk?

The threat might start out innocently enough—with an employee opening a door and thoughtfully holding it open for others, or security personnel naively trusting and allowing entry of uniformed workers who are carrying heavy packages. But these seemingly common courtesies could put your company in harm’s way. So the way to protect your property is to develop, adopt and stringently adhere to anti-tailgating strategies.

At RJWestmore, we have come up with some simple suggestions for preventing tailgaters, built on the acronym “STOP TAILGATERS.”

Security First—the first step to prevent unauthorized entry to your building is to proactively develop a comprehensive security plan for your property.

Tell your tenants and employees the risk of ignoring security protocols. If they understand the tailgating can expose your building to domestic violence, theft, sabotage, and terrorism, they might be more inclined to follow the rules.

Open your doors only to people who have valid IDs and associated PINS (where necessary), or stop to sign in as visitors.

People who are already allowed access to your building might also present security risks if admitted to every area of the property. Since not all threats are external, restrict access for subpopulations for high-security areas such as laboratories, pharmacies, operating or equipment rooms and computer centers. You may want also want to restrict and track access to valuable equipment, sensitive files, copy machines and areas containing toxic chemicals.

Tailgating not only affects safety but building management practices as well. If your HVAC or lighting system is tied to occupancy, an influx of unexpected bodies could affect energy-spend.

Allow flexibility in your plan. The security system that is right for you will depend on the specific entry points you wish to secure, location of the entrance, the reason for controlling access to it and the flexibility of your budget.

Inaccurate headcounts during emergencies can lead to occupants unknowingly being left behind or emergency personnel needlessly searching for people who were never on the premises. So make sure that the system you adopt keeps accurate counts.

Leave security to professionals. If you have a security system in place and believe that your building is important enough to protect, why would you allow unauthorized access to it? For a fail-safe system, hire a team of pros.

Guards might be worth the expense. While you might be inclined to cut personnel costs by eliminating security guards, you should consider a simple cost-benefit analysis to decide whether full-time security guards might be right for you. Guards can visually confirm badges match the people seeking to gain entry.

Anti-tailgating programs are most effective if they are multi-pronged. So consider adopting more than one strategy for keeping tailgaters at bay.

Timothy McVeigh was granted access to the Oklahoma City building he blew up long before he committed the crime. So, when it comes to granting access to unauthorized personnel, better safe than sorry.

Everyone in your building should be aware of the safekeeping culture. So consider holding safety seminars or providing materials that clearly communicate your security system.

Risks to building safety frequently result in crimes carried out by someone you didn’t even know was in your building. So make sure your security team understands their role as gatekeepers.

Smart cards house multiple credentials on one card. Consider issuing these to building tenants, employees and visitors to electronically track traffic.

Tailgating strategies are easy to retrofit and complement most existing security systems. So adopt those systems that will work best for you and then build a culture that encourages adherence to the plan. Even if you have the best security system on the market, your safety measures will fail if occupants don’t buy in.

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJ Westmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. Visit RJWestmore.com for more information.

2011 Was a Banner Year for Disasters

Hundreds of thousands of people’s lives were forever changed by natural and manmade disasters in 2011–from tornadoes to floods, wildfires to hurricanes, earthquakes to tsunamis to terrorist attacks and everything in between, across the world, preparation paid off and recovery response was remarkable.

In the United States alone, in 2011, the American Red Cross launched 137 domestic disaster relief operations in 46 states and territories in order to help people recover from the fires, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes that rocked the United States. Internationally, disaster recovery extended to the earthquake in Japan and continued to tsunami response in Thailand.

“The disasters we faced in 2011 affected many lives,” said Regional Red Cross Director Tina Labellarte. “Red Cross workers across the country worked tirelessly to make sure people had a safe place to stay, food to eat and help getting their lives back on track.”

This year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that there were 99 Major Disaster Declarations, 29 Emergency Declarations and 114 Fire Management Assistance Declarations. As one of the most active years for disasters in recent history comes to a close and Americans ring in a new year, FEMA is encouraging people to Resolve to be Ready in 2012 by making a resolution to be prepared for emergencies. And, as we recently reported, we encourage RJW Training System clients and friends to start the New Year off right by resolving to be ready.

But, apart from signing up with FEMA, how exactly can you as a building owner and or property manager, prepare for disasters in 2012? Here are our top 10 suggestions for a safe and sane 2012:

• Make an emergency kit. If you have yet to prepare a go-bag for your car, office and home, don’t let another month go by without putting one together.

• Protect your computer. Cyber threats are very real. Don’t take electronic safety for granted.

• Be aware of your surroundings. The threat of terrorism is a reality that cannot be ignored. Remain vigilant about suspicious behavior and report anything unusual to authorities.

• Protect your property from threat of fire. Install fire sprinklers, alarms and extinguishers. Also, tour your property and make sure flammable products are out of harm’s way.

• Guard your kids against disease. Due diligence will reveal that boosters are beneficial. Make sure your children are inoculated.

• Go green. As members of the Green Building Council, we support efforts to create and protect a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. We are part of a community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation.

• Prepare for regional disasters. If you live in California, you should understand how to prepare for earthquake. In Kansas, learn about tornadoes. And in coastal communities, make sure you understand tsunamis and hurricanes. But wherever you are, take the time to learn about each and every disaster since this year has taught us that disasters of any kind can strike virtually anywhere.

• Stay Connected. Experts agree that social media will continue to play an important role in emergency management in the year ahead. In our continuing effort to lead the way where disaster communication is concerned, we have introduced a new interactive Facebook Fanpage. Check it often to learn about disasters and emergency management.

• Know your building. To be prepared in the event of any emergency, you should understand the ins and outs of your own building as well as the proper way to evacuate should disaster strike. The RJWestmore Training System Version 2. 5 helps commercial buildings with compliance to fire life safety codes. Our interactive, building-specific e-learning training system motivates and rewards tenants instantly! It’s a convenient and affordable solution to all of the training needs of your building(s).

• Above all, in 2012 and beyond…BE SAFE!

When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJ Westmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. Visit RJWestmore.com for more information.